Mechanics who are reluctant to work on older cars
Discussion
My dear old car is now 15 years old!, been well maintained lots of parts replaced as needed.Never had an issue with garage I used but moved location a few months ago and having a minor hassle with mechanics who prefer easy jobs.
For example; had a shock leaking so got a new one through (Bilstein warranty), took it to a Audi specialist who swapped, but then had a knocking noise so took it back. Researched on here and realised he probably forgot the top cap but didnt say anything. Cue lots of moaning "dont like working on old cars", "you fix one thing and another one breaks", "I'll have a look but after this don't want to work on your car again". Lo behold his own screw up, wouldn't admit it though, banged on about age more.
Then last week had MOT done at another garage, asked them to change Thermostat as well. But on pickup advised on pickup that they didnt want to do it as had a look and the bolts may have seized and don't want to take the chance otherwise will become a big job drilling them out yada yada Didn't even ask if I was happy to pay the labour- just didnt want the hassle.
Anyone else have these issues?
For example; had a shock leaking so got a new one through (Bilstein warranty), took it to a Audi specialist who swapped, but then had a knocking noise so took it back. Researched on here and realised he probably forgot the top cap but didnt say anything. Cue lots of moaning "dont like working on old cars", "you fix one thing and another one breaks", "I'll have a look but after this don't want to work on your car again". Lo behold his own screw up, wouldn't admit it though, banged on about age more.
Then last week had MOT done at another garage, asked them to change Thermostat as well. But on pickup advised on pickup that they didnt want to do it as had a look and the bolts may have seized and don't want to take the chance otherwise will become a big job drilling them out yada yada Didn't even ask if I was happy to pay the labour- just didnt want the hassle.
Anyone else have these issues?
Edited by amir_j on Monday 12th April 15:37
I'd suggest that its as much to do with avoiding a difficult customer as a difficult car.
They're right about fixing one thing and another breaking, but you just take them back and demand fixing. You'd be the first on here if they stripped bolts out because of corrosion, and dared to charge you the actual time, rather than the job time.
They're right about fixing one thing and another breaking, but you just take them back and demand fixing. You'd be the first on here if they stripped bolts out because of corrosion, and dared to charge you the actual time, rather than the job time.
randlemarcus said:
I'd suggest that its as much to do with avoiding a difficult customer as a difficult car.
They're right about fixing one thing and another breaking, but you just take them back and demand fixing. You'd be the first on here if they stripped bolts out because of corrosion, and dared to charge you the actual time, rather than the job time.
me difficult? how rude They're right about fixing one thing and another breaking, but you just take them back and demand fixing. You'd be the first on here if they stripped bolts out because of corrosion, and dared to charge you the actual time, rather than the job time.
I wouldn't to be honest, as long as was advised properly then fine. In the whole get a new car and suffer depreciation vs cost of repairs being a bit more it would be finacially viable.
Mechanics aren't there to fix cars they like, mechanics are there to make money for the garage they work for. They should remember this. If they don't want to repair your car then fine, but they should expect an email/letter to the person who owns the business explaining why you won't be giving them any more money.
But sadly it is true. You find stuff seized/damaged etc and then you have to up the price and the customer gets the arse. And then you can't get the parts easily.
Not saying you should turn it away, but it's important to brief the csutomer about what MIGHT happen once you start dismantling. A quick hours job on my 90s vintage BMW turned into 3 days of it not moving and several trips to the dealer for parts which needed to be ordered in. Little Garages with not so much space, can't afford a car taking up a ramp for 3 days!
Not saying you should turn it away, but it's important to brief the csutomer about what MIGHT happen once you start dismantling. A quick hours job on my 90s vintage BMW turned into 3 days of it not moving and several trips to the dealer for parts which needed to be ordered in. Little Garages with not so much space, can't afford a car taking up a ramp for 3 days!
Rich_W said:
But sadly it is true. You find stuff seized/damaged etc and then you have to up the price and the customer gets the arse. And then you can't get the parts easily.
Not saying you should turn it away, but it's important to brief the csutomer about what MIGHT happen once you start dismantling. A quick hours job on my 90s vintage BMW turned into 3 days of it not moving and several trips to the dealer for parts which needed to be ordered in. Little Garages with not so much space, can't afford a car taking up a ramp for 3 days!
Quite, I fix up a few cars in the Caribbean, where the waiting time for parts is 3 days or so, and the cars are all so rusty and badly maintained (I went to change a fuel pump once and it had bare wires in the fuel tank...) that it often ends up sitting on my drive for a week or so. I will tell people this in advance and only take on one car at a time, lending them my spare in the meantime.Not saying you should turn it away, but it's important to brief the csutomer about what MIGHT happen once you start dismantling. A quick hours job on my 90s vintage BMW turned into 3 days of it not moving and several trips to the dealer for parts which needed to be ordered in. Little Garages with not so much space, can't afford a car taking up a ramp for 3 days!
If I were a garage, I would refuse to work on battered looking or extensively modified cars, because both would cause problems.
Find a specialist. They might charge a little more per hour but they might save time overall by knowing the ins and outs of a particular job.
I do all my own work on my Skoda, but if I did need a garage to do work on it, I would drive it the 60 miles to one of the best old skoda specialists in the UK.
Might cost more but he knows his old skodas inside and out and does stirling work.
Lewis
I do all my own work on my Skoda, but if I did need a garage to do work on it, I would drive it the 60 miles to one of the best old skoda specialists in the UK.
Might cost more but he knows his old skodas inside and out and does stirling work.
Lewis
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