Halfrauds Garages - ultimate donkeys

[nitin_s1]

So my sister's car (Vauxhall Corsa) had a problem.

There was oil warning light coming on and it would use up all the oil in the car no matter how much you topped up..

Lucky, she was covered by her warranty (Motor Angel or something), she called them up and they chose one of their own garage which was within 5miles radius...

They chose Halfords Autocentre in Acton.. When I heard Halfrods, I was like. But I thought it can't be that bad.

We agreed to drop the car Thursday morning (8:30am).. So I dropped it as I had a day off and they took the car. I explained to them that the car was using lots of oil and it would run dry within 10ish Miles of driving. We were meant to get a call back on that day as they would only diagnose the fault and if it's under warranty then the company (Motor angle) would fix it.

Thursday went, Friday went, Saturday went and the whole weekend went..

My sister needs her car to travel to St Albans to her Dentist practice where she works so she was spending £20ish everyday and also waking up 2hours early to get there by trains. So I thought let me call the garage and ask if they have found the fault or not..

Called them Monday morning and they said they can't find anything wrong with the car So I said I will pick up the car after work (14:00) as you guys seem to think there is no fault there is no point keeping the car there.

I went to pick up the car and this is what pissed me off. As I got there a bit early to pick up the car, the car was on a ramp being checked. I asked the person what's the problem, she said they are still looking in to it. They didn't even touch the car since past 3 days and only just taking a look at the car now. I asked what was wrong, she said there is nothing wrong with the car and they can't find any fault with the car..

I didn't say nothing to them and took the car..

Drove to my house and the oil warning had come back on the car and also the whole engine was dry.. ..

Now the story continues, we are phoning the warranty to complain about this crap full of donkeys Halfords and asking them to get us a better garage..

[lewd lude lover]

good man, fight that battle. Sounds like Jobsworths and co.

[Drax]

Halfrauds. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

[Samiya85]

They can't even fit a head light bulb In never mind check a car lol
Is there any oil puddles on the floor ?
Does the car smoke ?

[Mattbigwood]

I had a rubbish experience at a Vauxhall dealership in the summer - Drive Bristol Central in case anyone wants to avoid them. I had a 'Service ESC' warning (stability control, linked to ABS sensor). The car is under manufacturers warranty and the warning light had gone off when I took it to them, but when they plugged it into their computer it didn't show any faults, so they charged me £46 for diagnostics!!! I complained to Vauxhall Customer Service but they weren't interested.

[nitin_s1]

Even though my sister was under warranty she still had to pay £72 for a diagnostic and they didn't even bloody found a fault.. When actually there was a fault straight away after driving home..

So now just on the phone wanting our money back for a diagnostic for nothing..

[alinton]

A friend of mine left her car at Halfwits to install a car kit.

When done, she drove home and called me and told me the brake pedal felt funny.

I had a look: Three cables from the car kit were passing tight right under the lever of the brake pedal.

[mercutio]

if you get no joy call trading standards

[Vtecmec]

Nitin, How long ago was the car bought? Finance or hire purchase?

I've been through a 6 month battle (and won) this year with a dodgy motor and know pretty much all the nuances, let's kick some ass.

[chrismc]

Can't you diagnose it???

Sounds like a fairly terminal engine problem- oil light & using oil quicker than you can keep it topped up?!