The Garage Serv@mot Centre

This is a shame because I’ve used this garage for my service and MOT for years. I’d also like to say this isn’t a reflection of the tyres and exhausts side, just the service and MOT side. My Astra happened to break down the day before my MOT was booked in at The Garage, so I got the recovery truck to take it there. I explained the situation to them and to be fair they were quite accommodating. There was an issue with the clutch as it just got stuck to the floor. After a week, it was diagnosed with needing a new clutch master cylinder but only a ball park figure of up to £600 was quoted as the cost depends on the time it takes to fit it. Ok not ideal but it needed to be fixed so I gave the go ahead. When it’s eventually fitted, an issue is found with the slave cylinder and I’m quoted another ball park figure of £1,200 ON TOP of the master cylinder cost. I was also told it would be another 10 day wait until the part came in and could be fitted. As I’d had the slave cylinder replaced under warranty with Vauxhall previously, I mentioned this to The Garage who encouraged me to contact them while we were waiting for the slave cylinder to come in. I specifically asked if this would impact on timings but was assured it wouldn’t as they couldn’t do anything until the part was received anyway. I enquired with Vauxhall who said it would need to be diagnosed by them but their next slot was in 2 months! Plus I’d have to get it towed there at my own expense for no guarantee they would even fix it free of charge (now out of warranty). So reluctantly, it felt like I had no choice but to pay for the repair even though the cost seemed excessive. I called The Garage to confirm the situation with Vauxhall for clarity and was told it would be another 2 weeks at least before they could get to it because they were waiting for my confirmation. Firstly, this was a lie and secondly it was still well within the original 10 day lead time waiting for the slave cylinder so the original plan shouldn’t have been affected. They’d just decided to book others in instead of me. This is the point I’d finally lost patience with them as it seemed they were fobbing me off and taking advantage of my situation because they assumed I had no options as the car was undrivable. I started ringing around for quotes on a slave cylinder and towing the car to other garages. I eventually decided to move it to Vehicle Heroes who quoted £339 for the slave cylinder, including VAT and fitting. They were also able to use their own contacts to tow it for £40, which they eventually waived altogether. I had to settle the bill for the master cylinder with The Garage which was £479. Vehicle Heroes said it should cost around £225. The Garage would point to the time it took to fit, although Vehicle Heroes showed me where The Garage had ‘’butchered’’ the pedal box to get to the master cylinder without taking it apart correctly. Basically cutting corners to reduce the time it took them but still charging me for the full time. I was without my car for 5 weeks in the end which everyone will know is extremely inconvenient, especially when you have a young family. I did happen to get a courtesy car from The Garage for 1 week during this situation, which I was grateful for at the time but obviously returned it when I moved the car elsewhere. My trust in them has been completely lost and I think transparency of our experiences is key for all car owners, as the vast majority have no clue about the mechanics of a car, which is often exploited.