Stealership servicing - shoddy and a rip off!!

[James4287]

Oh yes you are quite right, but it's not always like that.

[Golich]

Ok, i'm gonna stand up for the dealers here [pleasee don't hate me!, lol] someone mentioned above that the dealer has commented for the last 2 years the front wishbone bushes are cracked but hasn't advised replacment. As i'm sure you know the bottom arms are about £90 each and if the dealer replaced them due it being cracked there would be alot pissed off customers getting a bill for over £500 when then hadn't even reported a noise on the front suspension. Infact i doubt the manufacturer could make them fast enough as nearly every A4/6 that comes through the door has cracked bushes but if there no play in them there not a mot failure and if the customer hasn't reported a fault there isn't alot you can do other than advise they'll get worse and will probably want replacing at next service if they're worse.

Again with the diff front oil seal leak, again a very common one but in most cases it isn't mentioned as the customer hasn't complained of oil on the drive, therefore they're not gonne be happy with another £300 bill for the seal to be replaced when as far as they were concerened there was nothing wrong with it. It's better to advise it and tell them to keep a eye on the situation for example.

James, you missed the point. They have in the past kept me informed of parts that are wearing or that will require attention in the future. As far as I'm concerned they didn't give the car a good look over, it was a quick oil and filter change - well 2.5hr! They did not tell me that the prop shaft seal was leaking, they did not check the car for the 4 other DTCs and they did not fix the missfire or even confirm that there was one.

As Simon says (stop it ) I expect the likes of the stealer to keep me informed of the general condition of the car at service time. If they don't, who will?

Of course they can't go replacing parts without prior agreement or this would amount to extortion. (This sort of practice has happened in the past from other garage companies)