Kwikfit. Should I

[ringway]

18, months ago I thought I would be selling my Omega. The original exhaust (had lasted over 8, years) needed replacing.

Vauhall Local £575 + Vat 1, Year Guarantee.
Local Garage £395 Inc Vat 2, Year Guarantee.
Kwikfit Wilmslow £230 Inc Vat 3, Year Guarantee.

OK, may be selling car so Kwikfit is the answer (even though I don't like them).

Had the exhaust fitted and 6 weeks later took the car for mot. = Failed.... Because of the exhaust!

Took the car back to Kwikfit who rectified the problem.

Never did like the job they did, exhaust always noisier than original and car was also less fuel efficient.

Today, I went in to the Kwikfit Stockport branch and asked for a battery and exhaust check. Battery failed - I knew this would happen although diagnosis was very quick.

After exhaust inspection "Near side mid to back section needs replacing sir" Cost £128.00

They hadn't taken my registration number before inspecting the car but when I gave them my details (something must have appeared on the pc screen) I could the see the brain of the guy behind the counter starting to work - "does the customer know his exhaust is still under guarantee? or is this not the original owner who bought the exhaust from us?"

He said they could fit the exhaust tomorrow and I said I'd let him know when i was available.

Do I:
1: Let them carry out the repair and inform them after the job is complete the exhaust is still under guarantee?

2: Tell them I know the exhaust is still under guarantee and probably have to accept a bodged repair?

Any suggestions (especially if enabling me to punish them for dishonesty in some way) gratefully accepted.

 

[MrT]

Go for 1 IMO

 

[PXW]

Go for 2. There is a risk they could argue that, notwithstanding the guarantee, you have entered into a new contract by verbally agreeing for them to do the work at the quoted £128. I wouldn't want the hassle.

Other suggestions would include getting a second opinion on what needs doing, including the battery; this can be compared to what they say is wrong.

 

[Smiley]

# 2 for sure but without the bodged repair; if thats what they said was needed then thats what is needed - surely?

 

[jaymanek]

number 2... like above, if you agree to let them do it, they can charge you the £130. explain that this is the second issue you have had and you want a new one... They will send the exhaust back to the manufacturer anyway.

 

[wxmclk]

Would let them do it,you are not obliged to say anything. The law is very much on your side (as original owner and not sold/transfer vehicle on).
Any mention of further payment should be laughed at.

 

[verytalldave]

I wouldnt have used Kwikfit in the first place.
Their exhaust systems are made for them and are of poor quality. The reason they give a 3 year guarantee is they know most cars they work on will certainly not be with the original owner for probably much longer than a year at most so any guarantee they give they know is virtually worthless.
If you had used the Vauxhall dealer and the replacement had lasted another 8 years, that would have worked out the cheapest option by far. Assuming of course, you keep the car for a further 8 years..............
Their tyre prices are high as well when compared to companies like E-tyres and others.
All in all, I cant understand why they are so popular.

 

[acm718]

Kwik-fit - should I?
NO. But seeing as you have...
I'd let 'em fit it, then tell them it's under their guarantee. Their computer should show that immediately anyway. They won't lose out, it'll be their supplier/manufacturer who'll foot the bill I'm guessing.
Reminds me of a guy I know who bought a lifetime guarantee battery from Halfords - a good ten years ago. He's had about three batteries out of them so far, in at least as many cars.

 

[219]

If you still have the receipt for the original exhaust , which also is the guarantee - I'd go for option 2 . They can't argue with their own written guarantee .

A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on

 

[ringway]

Many Thanks for your opinions.

Some excellent and very valid points raised.

If Kwikfit had said that the exhaust just needed repairing I would have told them it was under guarantee and to get on with the job, but the swift "You need a new one sir" annoyed me.

I'll mull it over and keep you posted of the outcome.

Regards,

Paul.

 

[renault12ts]

Yep accept their advice. Then assume they know what they are doing, right? They will definitely not argue the point. Make sure the guarantee extends to the replaced part. Don't get annoyed, get even. A new exhaust or a repair...it's a no brainer.

 

[jaymanek]

Just remember they have processes in place for warranty claims.. if you dont let them go down it and then refuse to pay for your new exhaust, they are entitled to keep the car until you pay up..

 

[renault12ts]

But surely that would lead to bad publicity. And what consequences could they face if the customer "stupidly" didn't tell them before they started . The customer could genuinely just assume all is in order.

 

[jaymanek]

no he has been given a quote so thats plainly obvious.

At our garage, any exhausts that come back under warranty have to be inspected by our local supplier whilst still on the car (damage can be caused my speed bumps etc or fitment issues) before the claim can be processed.. Im sure kwik fit will have a process to follow too.

I can tell you that if a customer tried this with us, they would end up paying the bill.

 

[nullogik]

Agree with verytalldave. Kwikfit's exhaust boxes are of very poor quality. I remember my dad having to put a new one on our Ford Escort every two years.

 

[ringway]

I've found the original invoice for £297.80. Not that cheap after all.

I am not trying to fleece Kwikfit.
I am just hacked off that they say, straight away, "you need a new one".

If I'd have gone to them and said I had a blowing exhaust that was under warranty I don't think they would have suggested I needed a new one.

If I had known I was keeping the car I would probably have had the original spec Vauxhall exhaust fitted.

Also, Kwikfit quoted me £100ish for a new battery and I have just got a sealed Varta battery at my local motor spares shop for £65.00 fitted!

Thanks for the advice guys.