Need to find a good garage

[mgp1969]

Took my V8S, purchased in July, to a supposedly reputable dealer for a service, MOT and to correct a few niggles that had become apparent.

Result - arrived at the dealer (who had had the car for a week) to find that it was not ready. Waited 2.5 hours to receive my car in filthy condition, and to find that:

1. jobs requested had not been done; and/or
2. jobs requested had been done in shoddy manner (eg - stereo I provided for them to fit now does not work!).

Service book not stamped, and on driving the car it became apparent that there were noises from the engine (when accelerating from low revs - timing?), the gearbox and the back of the car that were not present when the car when into the garage. Oh, and the adjustment on the mirrors and the reversing lights, which worked when the car was taken in, no longer work.

All this for a bargain GBP750, which, alas, I paid because I was in a hurry due to the delay in being able to pick up the car. Fortunately, paid by credit card so if dealer is intransigent will cancel payment and let them sue me for it and counterclain if need be.

Question is -
1. is this symptomatic of TVR dealers - are they only interested in more modern cars on the basis that they (erroneusly in my, and I imagine, most cases) assume we can't afford to upgrade to new models;
2. can anyone recommend a decent dealer/independent who I can take the car to rectify these problems.

Thanks

(a very frustrated) martin

[pies]

Sorry about your probs,from what i hear (no first hand experiance) its not just older cars some dealers just dont care full stop

Where abouts are you

[millyad]

gets on your nerves when you pay good money for a really shoddy job, sorry to hear about your woes, but why dont people name the dealers in question is it an unwritten rule?

[pies]

millyad said:

why dont people name the dealers in question is it an unwritten rule?

No its a Written one which is enforced

Teds explanation

Rules here

[millyad]

just read the rules and thread, fairplay

but it still sucks when you get crap service!

[magnus]

there are so many good independents nowadays so why waste money going to a dealer. As likely as not the job will be given to an inexperienced "boy". Ted doesn't allow me to name dealers but I once (JUST ONCE!) went to a dealer in my area with an engine cut out problem on my ancient Chim500. "Servicing" comprised three lads none of whom had had any previous TVR experience as I discovered when I chatted with them while waiting for the car to be looked at. And how did they deal with my electrical problem? They just took out each relevant component in turn,replaced it found it made no difference and then put the original back. After the coil and leads had received this amateur treatment I did suggest that perhaps a more analytical treatment might be in order. "Sorry sir we have no diagnostic equipment for older cars".
All this at £60 + VAT per hour. I now use a one man plus assistant specialist and have had no complaints for many years.

[mgp1969]

Understand the rationale for not naming dealers; needless to say, would love to. If they are awkward, have the contacts/means to hit them publicity-wise anyway, which I fully intend to do, as the level of service was, quite frankly, apalling. Am possibly more fortunate than most to whom this happens in that I'm a solicitor and more than willing to take them on in court and not going to be bullied if they threaten court action for non-payment. The stereo alone was worth GBP700, so unless I can get the other work they bodged fixed for less than GBP51 my counterclaim will exceed any claim they bring. Have already taken photos of car, etc as evidence.

Magnus - are you able to recommend your independent. Am happy to travel and pay (had budgeted to hand over GBP1k to the dealer, which I would have been happy to do had they done what they were supposed to) - I just want to get my car which is (was?) basically sound fettled where necessary.

[tubbystu]

Where abouts are you located ? Plenty of independants known, but some idea of locale will mean a better response.

[mgp1969]

Have been in London but moving to Sheffield. Will be in London a fair bit, so either location would suit.

[tubbystu]

Try here for full links, www.pistonheads.com/tvr/links.asp?page=tvrServicing&top=tvr&

Certainly south of london both Austec & Castle Sport have served me well and can be highly recommended. David Batty always gets good reports too.

Happy hunting

Stuart

[pies]

www.austec.co.uk/ at Crawley

www.t-v-r-services.co.uk/ north London

David batty at Guildford




www.joospeed.net/ at Notts

Amongst others

[mgp1969]

Thanks Stuart.

Anyone able to recommend Wedge - they look like they might be pretty convenient.

[Psychobert]

mgp1969 said:

Have been in London but moving to Sheffield. Will be in London a fair bit, so either location would suit.

Joospeed. No question. He is a mate of mine, but he is also damm good at what he does.

Incidentally, as you are moving to Sheffield and I am moving away.. YHM..

Edited to add: No you don't.. Mail me if you are interested in renting/buiying a city centre flat in the near future..

>> Edited by Psychobert on Saturday 2nd October 22:56

[magnus]

mgp1969 said:

Understand the rationale for not naming dealers; needless to say, would love to. If they are awkward, have the contacts/means to hit them publicity-wise anyway, which I fully intend to do, as the level of service was, quite frankly, apalling. Am possibly more fortunate than most to whom this happens in that I'm a solicitor and more than willing to take them on in court and not going to be bullied if they threaten court action for non-payment. The stereo alone was worth GBP700, so unless I can get the other work they bodged fixed for less than GBP51 my counterclaim will exceed any claim they bring. Have already taken photos of car, etc as evidence. Magnus - are you able to recommend your independent. Am happy to travel and pay (had budgeted to hand over GBP1k to the dealer, which I would have been happy to do had they done what they were supposed to) - I just want to get my car which is (was?) basically sound fettled where necessary.

Only too pleased---just email me through PH and I will give you all the details. I feel more comfortable doing it this way in view of PT's comments.

[WildfireS3]

I would go with joospeed or David Batty depending on where you are. Both have been very helpful on the phone, when I have had problems. Although I have not been to joospeed, many people on PH reccomend his service highly. I have used David Batty and hold his services in the highest regard.

[shnozz]

Joospeed. every time.

[mgp1969]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Original garage are asking for chance to correct problems, which I am considering giving them on my terms (ie - on the clear understanding that any problems after they have had their second chance will be rectified by a third party at their expense).