How can I check that service work has been done?

[TheCraig]

Hi All,

I had my Ibiza into the main dealer for a service and cam belt / water pump replacement on monday - Anyway, tonight Ive been messing on trying to get the rear washer connected up under the airfilter, which of course meant taking the airbox and filter off - only to realise that they havn't changed the filter! I've got an invoice saying that this was done, but its too dirty to be a new one considering Ive only done 40 miles since I got it back! Not only that, the coolant is right down (well below minimum)

Im now wondering what they have actually done for my £375! Is there an easy way to tell if they have actually done the cam belt / water pump / changed the oil?

 

[Bondiblu]

Doesn't sound right to me. £375 sounds like a decent price for all that work, may be too good. I'd go back to them and start asking questions, especially if you've been charged for a new air filter.

 

[TheCraig]

Yeah, it was cheap imo! £245 for the belt / tensioner and waterpump gear all fitted and the rest for the service is a baragin... if theyve actually done it!

 

[cupra.al]

if your filter is that dirty then thats the best give away also with your coolant being so low too,when you go there tell them you want visual proof of your new belt even being fitted as this could be well expensive if they havent try not to kick off though even though you are in your right mind to. good luck mate.

 

[Bondiblu]

if your filter is that dirty then thats the best give away also with your coolant being so low too,when you go there tell them you want visual proof of your new belt even being fitted as this could be well expensive if they havent try not to kick off though even though you are in your right mind to. good luck mate.

I agree, don't kick off, just explain your concerns. There may be a reasonable answer. If all else fails, seek a second opinion.

 

[sydoggkdy]

personally if i got my car serviced and they didn't replace the filter, i would want them to do it all over again whilst i watched to make sure it was done correctly.

otherwise who's to say what they actually done anything.

si

 

[cupra.al]

i would be quite sick if i paid all that and it didnt get done they may have just done the cam belt and forgot the rest either way theres no excuse for it atall. was it a seat garage out of intrest?

 

[cupra.al]

personally if i got my car serviced and they didn't replace the filter, i would want them to do it all over again whilst i watched to make sure it was done correctly.

otherwise who's to say what they actually done anything.

si

totally aggree

 

[TheCraig]

i would be quite sick if i paid all that and it didnt get done they may have just done the cam belt and forgot the rest either way theres no excuse for it atall. was it a seat garage out of intrest?

Yes, its a Seat main dealer! I usually get the car serviced at my a local garage that we have used for about 4 years, but he just couldnt compete with the cam belt price (or warranty on the work done). I also thought it would be better at a main dealer so that if there was any comeback or the belt went within a year of fitting i'd have some comeback.

Dont worry, im not going to go ape at them (yet) , but i'll ring them tomorrow and see what they say...

I assume I'll have to take the tray from under the engine off to see if its got a new oil filter on it?

 

[cupra.al]

id go into the dealers if i was you as from personal experience they tend to have more bravery for bull shyte down the phone but not so much face to face.

 

[kriso]

The air filter isn't changed at every service..only every 40k miles I think. Does it say air filter or pollen filter on your invoice?

You can check the cambelt by looking at it (just unclip the cover). The coolant will be below the min if it's cold, check the level again after the car has warmed up.

 

[Bondiblu]

Yes, its a Seat main dealer! I usually get the car serviced at my a local garage that we have used for about 4 years, but he just couldnt compete with the cam belt price (or warranty on the work done). I also thought it would be better at a main dealer so that if there was any comeback or the belt went within a year of fitting i'd have some comeback.

Dont worry, im not going to go ape at them (yet) , but i'll ring them tomorrow and see what they say...

I assume I'll have to take the tray from under the engine off to see if its got a new oil filter on it?

I think I'm correct in saying your car has an element oil filter toward the front of the engine. You would need to remove the top of the filter housing (plastic tube) to check if its been changed. normally you'd probably see some fresh, oily paw prints on it, if it had been changed. Have you checked the oil?

 

[TheCraig]

The air filter isn't changed at every service..only every 40k miles I think. Does it say air filter or pollen filter on your invoice?

You can check the cambelt by looking at it (just unclip the cover). The coolant will be below the min if it's cold, check the level again after the car has warmed up.

Kriso - that kind of makes sense, as it was the 50k service, a new filter will have gone on at 40k - but theyve still charged me for it so I want it! (or a refund)

I'll check the cam belt tomorrow and see how new it looks - However Ive told that sometimes they look brand new even when theyve done 60k!

When i say the coolant is low, I mean it is about an inch and a half below the minimum level - and this is straight after my drive home from work In my opinion, they havnt refilled it or its leaking....

 

[RUM4MO]

A bit of a disaster when you lose confidence in a company - yes you are quite right to take the line that have they done anything at all. The coolant level problem could be down to them not making sure that the system had purged itself after re-filling it, a slight oversight on their part I would have expected a main dealer to let the engine run until it heated up so that they could check that there were no leaks - maybe even take the car for a short test drive - but not looking too good when other things seem not quite right. As the timing belts tend to have idlers etc pressing down on top of them, the belt should still look newish after this running. Which engine does the car have?

Edit, I see that its a TDI - so that answers that question and means that the oil will have turned black quickly - so checking the colour of the oil is not an option!

 

[TheCraig]

Ive been on the phone to them - Kriso was right, its every 40k for the air filter. Ive still been charged for it though, so i'll have to go for a refund , and for them to top the coolant back up.

 

[sydoggkdy]

i never knew it was every 40K i thought i got mines dne every service lol. so how come the green cotton ones have to be cleaned every 10K miles but the normal one doesnt, or do they ? if any one knows.

si

 

[cupra.al]

the green cotton ones are slimmer so they clog up quicker hence every 10k they need a clean.

craig are you going to name this garage so the people from here in your local area are aware of this garages mistakes and can check there invoices and service schedule before paying.

 

[TheCraig]

the green cotton ones are slimmer so they clog up quicker hence every 10k they need a clean.

craig are you going to name this garage so the people from here in your local area are aware of this garages mistakes and can check there invoices and service schedule before paying.

I wasnt going to name them, but it is SG Petch at Durham.
What I will say about them is that
A: theyre cheap,
B: it was all sorted out straight away and
C: the car was unexpectedly clean and shiney when I got it back. (not sure if all main dealers do this but i thought it was a nice touch)

So I cant be too harsh on them. Im now happy that all work was carried out.

So as long as you check the invoice and the car over before you leave the premises you'll be ok. Oh, and make sure they dont charge you for washer fluid that you put in the car the day before!

 

[cupra.al]

I wasnt going to name them, but it is SG Petch at Durham.
What I will say about them is that
A: theyre cheap,
B: it was all sorted out straight away and
C: the car was unexpectedly clean and shiney when I got it back. (not sure if all main dealers do this but i thought it was a nice touch)

So I cant be too harsh on them. Im now happy that all work was carried out.

So as long as you check the invoice and the car over before you leave the premises you'll be ok. Oh, and make sure they dont charge you for washer fluid that you put in the car the day before!

im happy for you mate.

 

[RUM4MO]

Yes this "car cleaning" is a bit of a bore, I get this at every MOT and its a nuisance if you have a sunroof - both cars have sunroofs and both cars now have a raised bit at the joint in the seal due to the cheap and cheery way the auto washer rolls over the roof - plus I get some nice extra fine scratches in the paintwork - and I need pliers to remove the bits of nylon bushes left jammed in places - it happens even if I wash the car the day before the MOT. The dealer just can't leave it out as its part of their service (and gives someone some thing to do!).