Kings: Car off road - LC brake hoses- Crap service

[ljsanders]

My MY00 LC went into Kings Portsmouth on Tuesday for a 70k Service.
I knew the front+rear discs and pads were almost worn out, so i was expecting a
fairly expensive service.

Kings phoned me at lunch time to say they were just about to drive it up the
road for a road test (after doing the service), when a brake hose split sending
brake fluid all over the engine bay. Apparently it had been fouling on a line to
the power steering for quite some time and it "happened" to give way whilst
the car was in their garage..... Hmmm... I'm a bit suspicious.

They also gave me a quote of 955 inc. labour and VAT for, all 4 discs+pads,
70k service, brake hose, and centre exhaust pipe which is also leaking.

Not much choice to pay up really. I'll lose more than this in depreciation for a new car, and besides I like the car anyway. The cheeky bugger in the service department even said, you can speak to someone in sales if you want to see what we'll give you for it!!!

Anyway, they've had the car 2 days now. I called them to get an update, the brake hoses are on back order. They are trying to source one through VW and its going to be another 5 to 7 days.

To be honest, this is crap. Let down by a crappy SEAT UK parts and service organisation. My car is off the road, I have a daily 70 mile round trip to work and back. I'm relying on other people and borrowing other peoples cars.
Currently, I'm driving around in my brothers breakdown prone Metro whilst he is on naval training in Cornwall.

This car has been pretty unreliable in the 4 years I've owned it and everytime I need a part its a several week wait,
but I still like it because its comfortable, good cruiser and goes like stink. What I dont like is the crap SEAT service.

I would have thought a part like this would be common as muck and they can source one with same day delivery. If I went to a Vauxhall garage, they'll
get a bit with same day delivery through a local auto factor!

Its this reason, I definitely won't be buying another SEAT again, even if I got one with a serious discount.

Anyone else got the same grief?

Cheers,
Lee

 

[Tallpaul]

I'd only pay for the hose and service and get the rest done elsewhere.

£955 for that lot is ridiculous.

Service - £250?
Hose - £10?
Brake Fluid Change - £50?

Get the exhaust done at kwik-fit and do the pads and discs yourself!

 

[m0rk]

I can't work out how they've come to that number.

moreover the power steering is nowhere near the engine bay - and even if it was, it's a hard copper line in the engine bay.

sounds like you've either misheard, or they're taking the piss

 

[NeilW]

They've not included a cam belt change in the service price have they? Sounds way too expensive. I used to shudder when a garage quoted 3 figures, let alone nearly 4! As it's out of warranty defo get it done elsewhere.

 

[Tallpaul]

Oh, and if they've charged you for a brake fluid change in the service and then charge you again after they've fitted the new hose, go ape sh*t.

The dumb f*cks should have checked the hoses on a full inspection service.

 

[ljsanders]

Breakdown as follows:
all prices inc. labour

205 inc.VAT for service
175 inc. VAT for pipe including fitting
175 inc. VAT for rear pads and discs.
225 inc. VAT for front pads and discs.
175 for exhaust.

Had kwikfit exhausts, discs and pads before. Dont last 6 months, then you need another set/one.

I'm not complaining about the price, Kings do charge 80+VAT and hour for
labour.

What I am complaining that a piece of hose they can't source is keeping my car
off the road and currently there isn't any outlook. I would have thought a part like that would be common as muck.

 

[Tallpaul]

Sounded like you were ranting about price to me?

If the part is on back order, then it's on back order. After all, this platform is now out of production so all though parts will be available for many years, they'll be less and less likely to be in stock. That's just bad luck.

 

[ljsanders]

My point is, if I had a 20 year Golf GTi, or a 20 Year Mk2 Escort which are out of production, I'd probably be able to get one no trouble!

It isn't an excuse at all, that just because a car is now out of production, for parts to become scarce and on back order.

 

[m0rk]

£175 to replace a flexi?

£20 for the part (max) then 2hrs to fit it? I've done it in less than 20 mins including fluidflush & bleeding.

what if you source the pipe from GSF / ECP?

 

[claudefrog]

holy **** £175 for a flexi hose.. my goodness.

 

[ljsanders]

To be honest, I'm not sure which bit it is thats gone.

I need to go down there and have a look and get them to show me what
bits failed. Unfortunately, I've been tied up all this week with work and its Goodwood tomorrow and the service is shut on Saturdays.

I agree, I need to get down there and find out whats gone and see if I can source it myself quicker and cheaper.

Two years ago, in quick succession I had the indicator relay pack up. I was driving around for 3 weeks without any indicators. A short while afterwards, the brake light switch failed, Kings in S'ton were going to make me wait 3 weeks for a switch.

I drew the line at that, darn right dangerous in my book. At which point, I sourced one myself and got it fitted.

My major rant is the time it takes for SEAT garages to get parts.
Parts that can take vehicles off road or cause accidents, yet they dont keep them in stock!

Its this reason, why I wont be getting another SEAT again. I've owned a Citroen, 2 Rover's, a vauxhall and 2 Westfield's (mainly Ford bits, but Westfield themselves are very responsive)... and I've never had any trouble in getting bits at very short notice, and Westfield are a low turnover company.

Been thinking about getting a BMW 330d for a while now... and I think this has just made my mind up.