Repairs

Repairs are an unfortunate evil and have to be dealt with no matter what the circumstances. Invariably breakdowns cannot be predicted accurately but can be at least prepared for and an understanding of the need for regular preventative maintenance should keep repairs to a minimum.

Repairs quite often will cost much more than you expect and always more than you can afford at the time. They will usually be required when there is too much Month left at the end of the Money. So what do we do?

1.     Garages are very busy these days... coping with an ever lengthening list of customers particularly since 2000 when record numbers of cars were sold. With every new car on the road comes an increase in the time taken to get repairs and servicing carried out. A Main Dealer will usually be as helpful as they can if you are a customer of theirs and have a serious repair job threatening. However the huge work load in a Main Dealers Service Dept will mean that you will have to be patient.

2.     If you are able to diagnose the fault yourself... or with the help of a friendly neighbour or better still, your Driving Instructor, then it will be easier to arrange the necessary booking of the car for its repair. But even with the fault pre-diagnosed the Garage will not know the extent of the damage or the exact parts to be ordered until they see the car themselves and assess the requirements.

3.     It can be usual for the  car...to be brought to the Garage for an assessment (after booking it in) and then for the costs of the parts and Labour involved to be discussed with the owner before the repair is carried out …again with a separate appointment being made for the work to be done. Once you have an idea of the cost of the Work you can decide to go ahead or not or to defer the work (if that is possible) to take account of your ability to pay or your particular circumstances.

4.     Major Service work such as a full service... or brake assembly replacement will require you to leave the car with the Garage for a whole day generally. With a bit of encouragement and being on the doorstep when the garage opens you might get away with half a day off the road on occasion but it’s worth budgeting to be off the road until 5.30pm.

5.     Major repair work on the other hand... could mean several days off the road or even several weeks if there is Engine work required. You can verify the time taken to complete the work before you make the appointment and then there will be no misunderstanding.

6.     Be firm with the Garage... and let them know of any particular difficulties you might encounter if you are off the road for more than a day or two. Remember everyone expects to be getting the priority treatment but not everyone will, unless they make their presence felt.

7.     If you purchased the Car from a main Dealer... then you are more likely to be treated with respect than if you just happen to walk in off the Street demanding attention. Showing them that you know what you are talking about (even if you don’t!) and asking the right questions will usually get you the best treatment that is going .This isn’t always what will suit you but as they say “beggars can’t be choosers” If you had your own Garage and could call the shots…well that’s another story!

8.     Getting repairs carried out by a Smaller Garage... may well be quicker on occasion but the reputation of this particular Garage is not so vulnerable to shoddy workmanship as it would be in a Main Dealer. So you have to know the smaller Garage very well or have them come highly recommended to justify the risk. With a major job the time frame could actually be longer than dealing with the Main Dealer since the small man will have to wait for parts to come from the Dealer and then collect them.

9.     A Main Dealer usually has considerably more expertise... generally than the smaller Garage with the Marques (makers) that they are representing. Most service personnel employed by a Main Dealer will be constantly undergoing training and certification on specific models and will know pretty much all there is to know about them .This will not be the case with a smaller Garage or individual Mechanic.

10.   Over many years and with many different cars... we have experienced repairs and servicing from the Biggest Dealers to the Smallest of Garages. While the Main Dealers prices will invariably be higher, their standard of work and their service level and of course the come –back you enjoy if things are not to your satisfaction, are much to be preferred. There are always exceptions and we have dealt with many small Garages and Mechanics over the years…some are excellent …some should be avoided. Only you can decide based on what level of service and satisfaction you are prepared to pay for and that you need.

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