Tyre & Brake ‘specialist’ inspection
Discussion
I’ve changed the name of the garage slightly to prevent falling foul of the naming & shaming rules.
Last Sunday I took my work van to the above titled tyre & brake ‘specialist’ to have a new set of winter tyres fitted.
Whilst they had the wheels off I asked them to have a quick inspection of ball joints, bushes, wheel bearings, brake pads etc and let me if anything required attention.
I was told by the Manager that my front brake pads were “really low, really dangerous, and only had a couple of mm left on them”, and that they required “immediate replacement”.
“Would I like to book it in with them to change the front brake pads?” I replied it was ok, I’d do the job myself.
I’ve just gone out and purchased a new set of front brake pads and started on the job myself.
Here’s a photo of the “dangerously low” pads with “only a couple of mm left on them” vs the brand new pads
I’d say there’s 40-50% left on the old pads.
It really pisses me off when so-called professionals tell lies to try and steal a few quid off of their customers. What an utterly stupid business decision, as I’ll now never go back there for anything else, no matter how desperate I am.
Last Sunday I took my work van to the above titled tyre & brake ‘specialist’ to have a new set of winter tyres fitted.
Whilst they had the wheels off I asked them to have a quick inspection of ball joints, bushes, wheel bearings, brake pads etc and let me if anything required attention.
I was told by the Manager that my front brake pads were “really low, really dangerous, and only had a couple of mm left on them”, and that they required “immediate replacement”.
“Would I like to book it in with them to change the front brake pads?” I replied it was ok, I’d do the job myself.
I’ve just gone out and purchased a new set of front brake pads and started on the job myself.
Here’s a photo of the “dangerously low” pads with “only a couple of mm left on them” vs the brand new pads
I’d say there’s 40-50% left on the old pads.
It really pisses me off when so-called professionals tell lies to try and steal a few quid off of their customers. What an utterly stupid business decision, as I’ll now never go back there for anything else, no matter how desperate I am.
Mod edit: Title edited to avoid N&S; your ‘slight’ change to the name of the garage didn’t stop them being identified
E-bmw said:
Is the pad on the inner/outer (other) side any worse?
I have seen some major difference between inner/outer on the same caliper before.
Good point !I have seen some major difference between inner/outer on the same caliper before.
But alas, no. Granted, I haven’t had the vernier callipers or the micrometer out to measure them, but to my eyes, there’s no noticeable difference between the pads on the inside of the caliper and those on the outside.
Manager: your pads are dangerously worn.
Me: really? Show me.
End of issue, never go there again.
I had similar at a Slo-Fit place years ago.
Manager: your from dampers are leaking. We advise you have them changed. (Two year old car, 20k miles ish)
Me: show me.
Manager: there, where there’s no dirt on the chrome part.
Me: it’s just clean, where the damper compresses. No oil on there.
Manager: in my expert opinion those dampers could explode at any moment. (Seriously, he said that)
I started laughing. Couldn’t help it.
Me: really? Show me.
End of issue, never go there again.
I had similar at a Slo-Fit place years ago.
Manager: your from dampers are leaking. We advise you have them changed. (Two year old car, 20k miles ish)
Me: show me.
Manager: there, where there’s no dirt on the chrome part.
Me: it’s just clean, where the damper compresses. No oil on there.
Manager: in my expert opinion those dampers could explode at any moment. (Seriously, he said that)
I started laughing. Couldn’t help it.
Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 6th November 19:40
Gotta stick up my local kwik fit for some balance .. Mustve had 30+ tyres fitted there, never had the hard upsell on a single thing.
Helps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
Helps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
The Road Crew said:
Gotta stick up my local kwik fit for some balance .. Mustve had 30+ tyres fitted there, never had the hard upsell on a single thing.
Helps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
Well, I gave them a chance to show me, but I was just given incorrect, laughable info. As ever, with any chain store, the service and quality of work will vary due to personnel, but years ago I think there were directives from high up telling staff to up-sell hard, no matter what. Helps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
The Road Crew said:
Gotta stick up my local kwik fit for some balance .. Mustve had 30+ tyres fitted there, never had the hard upsell on a single thing.
Helps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
I'll do the same for my local branch too (SHelps that I think I give off an air of (slightly) knowing what I'm taking about.... I'd want to see anything any garage snag before giving the go ahead.
horpe).Very similar to you, had several tyres fitted from them and no BS attempts at upselling.
A good crew IMO.
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