I took my car to Fleming 18 months ago for a warranty repair on the rear screenwash. When I got the car back, I found they had washed it as well so I was well pleased. Good dealer I thought.
So when it was due for a minor service last year, I took it back to Fleming.
It was needing a clean so I was hoping they would wash it again but they didn't. So I paid over £130 and took the car away. I had to go back when I found they hadn't stamped the Service Book.
Later I was looking at the details on the SEAT website, and I found that a Minor Service includes a wash, stamp in the book and costs £129. It also includes replacement of the pollen filter if required.
I decided to pull the filter out, to see if it had been disturbed (bits of debris fall out if it hasn't been taken out for a while). It was difficult to tell if it had been inspected, but the filter was filthy.
Car wash, filter, service stamp all missed? Do they not work from a checklist. Wrong price as well. Indicates a sloppy business.
I phoned the Service Manager to complain. He said that the pollen filter does not usually need to be changed at a minor service, but he would sell me one at trade price. I pointed out that the SEAT fixed price service list says that the filter will be replaced if required. Eventually he agreed to send me one free of charge.
His attitude throughout was that they had done nothing wrong so I contacted SEAT UK. They agreed that Fleming's performance was unsatisfactory. I asked for a refund and Fleming offered £100 off my next service.
Part 2 of this saga happened a few months after the warranty ended. The screenwash developed a leak. I contacted SEAT UK to ask if they would repair this as a goodwill gesture in view of my experience at Fleming and my loyalty (this is my fourth
Ibiza). Well it wasn't easy, but eventually they agreed that they would contribute up to half the cost, but it would depend what they found when they dismantled (eg if I had damaged it).
I took the car to Western Seat in Edinburgh who found that the rear pipe (repaired by Fleming) had been chafing on the bodywork. SEAT UK covered the full cost of the repair without any argument.
I asked SEAT UK what action they would take with Fleming - my car had been there twice and both times they had been lacking. He replied that they would inform Fleming but couldn't take any action because they are a franchise rather than part of SEAT UK. I told him I had heard of Mercedes Benz taking strong action against an unsatisfactory dealer.. He said this wasn't they way SEAT UK operated. People will stop going to a garage that is not good.
I told him that I would post my experience on a SEAT forum and he asked me to point out that they also have some good dealers.
I have been happy with Western Seat in Edinburgh and Livingstones in Uddingston. However I wouldn't trust Alistair Fleming to service my wheelbarrow.