Servicingstop Rip Off

[Skd884]

A friend had their car serviced from Servicing stop -

Car Service | Cheap Car Servicing Cost, MOT Deals | Massive Savings on Main Dealer Prices

www.servicingstop.co.uk

The car required a B service plus brake fluid including key fob battery and activated charcoal filter, price from MB Lakeside £422.10

They done the following -



Long life oil was not required

What is lifetime fuel treatment ?

What is a brake service ?

They did not change key fob battery or activated filter

Suffice to say i have told said friend they have been taken for a ride and she is now going to query the charges, i do blame her as she did not cosult me, she normally would and i arrange to order the parts for her and pay a mechanic labour to fit the parts.

 

[Rory]

Wow - I'd say they'd basically stolen about £300 off her.

 

[Muckypaps]

Should always get a price first, rather than trying to question the charges after.

 

[markjay]

The fuel additive and engine flush, and the 'brake service' (whatever that is) are what took the price over the quote from MB.

But other than that, it's not particularly cheap, granted, but I wouldn't call it a 'rip-off', either (compared to the MB quote).

 

[geoffus]

Engine flush ? Who needs an engine flush nowadays, the latest oils will keep the internals clean anyway.
Still a lot of people out there who think their low mileage modern engine is full of sludge and thick carbon blocking oilways ??

 

[markjay]

Engine flush ? Who needs an engine flush nowadays, the latest oils will keep the internals clean anyway.
Still a lot of people out there who think their low mileage modern engine is full of sludge and thick carbon blocking oilways ??

Some people believe in engine flush, others don't. But, again, I wouldn't call a garage who offers it 'ripping off' customers. Same applies to fuel treatment.... the invoice will be shocking to anyone who manages to service their cars on the cheap (and many do), but in itself the bill isn't unreasonable and I really don't see an issue with it.

 

[geoffus]

Are Oil flushes recommended by manufactures ?
I didn't think they were.
Are fuel treatments necessarily ?
What if the owner was already using a premium fuel ?

 

[clk320x]

This company was on BBC Watchdog. :/

 

[nas2021]

I have to agree with markjay here about it not being a rip off. Some of the extra charges are stated before you click book now on their website. Prices for mechanics is a subjective matter in my opinion. Some would rather pay extra and go to somebody who has been recommended or others may want the cheapest fix possible. You also get some people who don't really know and they put their faith in the mechanics and 99% of mechanics are great but you may get the odd who will chance it (but then again its like that in a lot of industries).

Depending on what exactly was done then the price may be considered reasonable for example if the brake service included new pads then that would be cheaper than going to MB to get it done. I would always say shop around , ask friends or get a service plan from MB if you aren't too savy with your cars. At least that way you know if the price quoted is genuine or not.

Quoted from servicing stop:
* Free nationwide collection and delivery + 12 month parts and labour guarantee. Specialist Oil may be required for your vehicle this is a set cost of £24.99 + VAT. Air Filter if required for your vehicle is a set cost of £12.50 + VAT. No additional work without customer authorisation. All prices exclude a minimum environmental surcharge fee of £7.99 + VAT or a 2% fee levied on the total final bill (whichever is greater) for more information visit Environmental surcharge, fluid top up within all service options are charged at a flat fee of £5.99 + VAT (if required).

I got my front tyres changed at Kwik Fit last year and the guy told me my back tyres were nearly illegal and I should get them changed. I played along and said can you show me that's worrying. I went along and there was 3mm on the tyres and asked him to explain how my tyres were illegal. The manager laughed it off and said he's new your tyres are fine.

 

[Tezz]

Seams they quite well know, watchdog, moneysupermarket ect

Servicing Stop Reviews - Read 3,104 Genuine Customer Reviews | servicingstop.co.uk

Servicing Stop has collected 3104 reviews with an average score of 1.98

www.reviews.co.uk

I would be very curious to know what this lifetime's fuel treatment was ? And what precisely garage put in my engine to flush it

 

[geoffus]

Considered reasonable for example if the brake service included new pads then that would be cheaper than going to MB to get it done. I would always say shop around , ask friends or get a service plan from MB if you aren't too savy with your cars. At least that way you know if the price quoted is genuine or not.

I very much doubt a brake service would include new pads, more likely a visual check and spray with brake cleaner.

 

[W1ghty]

Sounds like a good Indy needs recommending to her

 

[markjay]

Seams they quite well know, watchdog, moneysupermarket ect

Servicing Stop Reviews - Read 3,104 Genuine Customer Reviews | servicingstop.co.uk

Servicing Stop has collected 3104 reviews with an average score of 1.98

www.reviews.co.uk

I would be very curious to know what this lifetime's fuel treatment was ? And what precisely garage put in my engine to flush it

From the reviews, it seems that they are upselling and in a very bad way, and also that they are very poorly organised in terms of communication. And carrying-out repairs without the customer's consent is obviously wrong. Not to mention telling the customer that unless they agree to additional repairs their car is undriveable and won't get it back.

That said, it takes two to tango, and most of those who submitted the poor reviews have no clue about what servicing is, or have unrealistic expectations. For example:

"All that was replaced was oil n filter. No air filter, fuel filter, coolant all of which I thought were standard for a service"

But still, from reading the reviews, it seems that they are best avoided.

 

[nas2021]

I very much doubt a brake service would include new pads, more likely a visual check and spray with brake cleaner.

From reading the reviews that Tezz shared you are most likely right. It angers me when people try to make a quick buck.

 

[C240Sport97]

Makes no sense to use non main dealer or non MB specialist for the same or higher price

 

[markjay]

Their use of the term 'Advisory' suggests that they go ahead and fix all issues flagged at the MOT as 'Advisory' (now called 'Minor defects') as a matter of course. Nice little earner that one.....

I suppose that it's all in the fine print when the customer clicks online and accepts the T&C, so it's technically legal, but Trading Standards might not be impressed with this particular business practice.

 

[markjay]

BTW, the 'long-life'/'premium' oil is an old scam common in the US, there are several YouTube clips about it, basically the garage puts-up a big sign along the lines of 'FULL OIL SERVICE JUST $XX.99', once the car is in the service bay (and the old oil drained...) the customer is being asked if they want the 'standard' engine oil (which is not recommended because it's not so good for the engine...) or the 'premium' engine oil that will protect the engine much better) for just $XX.99 more.............................................. and guess what the layman customer will choose?

 

[N31L]

I have always done my own servicing in fact I have just done the wife's Ford Fiesta ST3 oil and filter, air filter and pollen filter for £58 all from Euro parts using OE filters. Now the Mercedes is different due to having to tell the ECU and not having the access to Mercedes database. It's a 2016 ML250 AMG Premium Plus and due a B service but also due brake service (fluid change), fuel filter change, gearbox fluid and filter change, Oil, air and Pollen filter plus MOT and Pan roof greasing. £669 all inclusive at local independent Mercedes specialist. Not used before but highly recommended by a friend. Main dealer was £1080 although they offered a service plan for £1008 for two services. Will use independent whilst I own the car.

 

[Rory]

BTW, the 'long-life'/'premium' oil is an old scam common in the US, there are several YouTube clips about it, basically the garage puts-up a big sign along the lines of 'FULL OIL SERVICE JUST $XX.99', once the car is in the service bay (and the old oil drained...) the customer is being asked if they want the 'standard' engine oil (which is not recommended because it's not so good for the engine...) or the 'premium' engine oil that will protect the engine much better) for just $XX.99 more.............................................. and guess what the layman customer will choose?

The SEAT dealer servicing daughter's car last week was adamant they use different oil for fixed and longlife servicing hence the longlife service is more expensive. SEAT say they the same oil (VW508) should be used for both. It's an emissions thing (VW508 is 0W20) - you'd think VAG would be quite hot on that.

 

[markjay]

The SEAT dealer servicing daughter's car last week was adamant they use different oil for fixed and longlife servicing hence the longlife service is more expensive. SEAT say they the same oil (VW508) should be used for both. It's an emissions thing (VW508 is 0W20) - you'd think VAG would be quite hot on that.

The Suzuki dealer said the cars came from tbe factory with 0W-20 oil for fuel economy, but they prefer to use 5W-30 oil because it protects the engine better. The cost was the same and there was no mention of 'long life'.

And while I am very happy with the MB229.5 long-life oil that MB use as standard when servicing my car, truth to be told, with a service every year and an annual mileage of under 5k, it would have made no difference if they didn't use 'long life' oil.

I have a feeling that whem garages offer 'long life' oil to customers who do less than 9-10k annually, there's a misperception that the car could be serviced less frequently, which isnt the case (unless the owner cuts corners and skips services).