Dashcam best investment yet (Seat Dealership Service)

[Fmxvxx]

you can apply all the pressure without driving the car fast you can do it when stationary!!

you don't have to be driving fast to check them nor do you have to brake stupidly hard

during an MOT the rollers aren't been used constantly and you can easily get a car on the rollers while a car is been inspected underneath on a ramp!

plus you have load balancing on the rollers too

so there is no excuse

Now you're moving into another problem which is the fixed priced repairs

£229 for second year and £49 for the BFC they are done as quickly as possible the road test is part of the service so why make the extra step to test on the rollers if you have to carry out a road test anyway.

It also depends how the workshop is set up for example one workshop I worked in had the MOT station set up as a drive in drive out with the 4 poster and brake rollers all in a line with an exit on the other side the cars where then lined up and MOT'd one after another this meant to use the rollers for a non MOT car would take 15-20 mins to get the workshop clear for a non MOT test.

Another Main dealer I worked at the MOT's where done at there sister site as they had 5 garages (different Brands) within a 5 mile radius so the garages where picked up MOT'd and brought back to the site.

And As I said before Hard braking is not just for testing the brakes. you are looking for how it responds steering wheel grabbing to one side ABS cutting in pedal feel at different pressures

I'm not saying to drive it like you stole it but a test drive is not a leisurely cruise around the block and the vehicles are tested to make sure they work correctly under all circumstances.

 

[stu_m]

while the road test is part of the service that does not mean you hammer the car and brake as hard as possible to "test" the brakes!

if there is a problem and the brakes fail then it will cause all sorts of implications!

the last thing you want is your own car been involved in a serious RTC on a test drive!

and yes fast lane MOT's can pose a little problem but not many dealers are that busy!

 

[Fmxvxx]

I've never been at a dealership that wasn't busy sure there are slow days but 6 cars is like the bare minimum amount per day each tech will work on (when it comes to servicing)

I'm not saying what this guy did was right As I've not seen the film Nor did I say brake as hard as possible but for example This is a quick test drive I used to take for new cars in for 1st/ second services

Turn out the dealership onto a 40 zone make sure the car is warm drive loop around the roundabout and repeat if it is not, slow for the roundabout take the roundabout slow in and then quickly out up to 60mph as the speed limit changes are the roundabout up to the next roundabout with progressive braking to stop long sweeping roundabout so generally This is where I would test for steering feel. make around towards the dealership down a small back road drive at ~20mph emergency stop check everything was ok then back to the dealership.

 

[JACUPRA280]

So Had the Cupra serviced yesterday while I waited, this was for the Seat Major service also had the brake fluid changed to the Montul R660 (higher boiling point).

Service took about two and a half hours not to bad I thought as the brakes and clutch would need bleeding as well. The Service technician had to take the car for a road test didn't really think anything of it (my mistake).

Got home had a text from a friend stating he saw me earlier giving it the beans up a duel carriageway around the time I was enjoying my Latte and sat in the waiting room of Seat, so off i went to fetch the dashcam and had a look at what happened during the service.

It started with the Technician swearing his head off and calling me a bast*rd for having to use my brake fluid another technican calling me a F'ing C*ck (don't no anyone from there), slating the car which amazes me after all the comments I have had at various shows .

Then we get to the Road test and for someone who has just changed the brake fluid he was mightily brave and had no clue how to drive a DSG floored it up the road and at every opportunity he could kick down after kick down. Then the dual carriageway which was a 50mph limit, then flooring it through a 20mph residential area.

I called Seat straight away and the service manager called me back and I am sending the files to him today the wife's Ibiza was serviced on Thursday and as I pointed out both cars will be going elsewhere and I want something done about this or the files will end up with Seat UK.

So disheartening when you spend a lot of money and time on your pride and joy and this happens.

Put it on YouTube. Nothing stopping you legally.

 

[cupra-db]

I never understand why these things can happen and the people involved avoid doing anything g about it. send it to everyone! mdc of branch and head office. he was massively unprofessional. this guy is paid to look after you and your car!! if you were paying him you would want to know if he was upsetting your customers wouldn't you!

 

[cptSparko]

IMHO the are two distinct things:
1: did he break any laws? Speeding, speed camera tickets, dangerous driving etc. Serious stuff that may need to go to the police (not seen the footage so cannot comment)

2: did they show any mechanical sympathy? Ignoring the fine details of how to do a road test (that will be a massive thread!), was the car up to temp when they gave it the beans? They could have caused all sorts of damage.

I'd be seeking distinct outcomes for the two issues. Start with the dealership before uploading any footage otherwise you lose your bargaining chip. Just the threat should get things moving.

 

[jaba101]

Well that's just not true, braking require a linear amount of force the more force applied on the pedal the more pressure that the system is under saying the system works fine when 20 bar of pressure is applied when a system is capable of producing 300 bar is crazy.

You are not just looking for braking performance while under heavy braking does the car pull to one side does the abs cut in as it should does the wheel vibrate is the stopping distance comparable to other vehicles etc.


Mot station has brake rollers but as with any busy garage the MOT station is running all day solid once an MOT has been started the tester cant stop the Test so you can do a brake efficiency check .

And no I do not work for the Seat Garage in question But I have worked in various dealerships over the years including prestige brands and Understand what goes on in the workshop.

I have no issue with a technician doing a road test but when he is clearly speeding way above the 50mph and then flooring it through a 20mph residential area I have a major issue.

If this went to the press they would have a field day

 

[Benjiman]

One of my brothers colleagues (I'll call him Bob) had a black box type tracker fitted to his high end BMW, as he is in the business quite a few years ago.

His BMW was delivered back to him at work after having some work done on it by the dealer. It had the tyre pressure light on (BMW = run flats).

He questioned the delivery driver about it, and was met with 'that's been on since I left the garage'. Bob didn't accept this, and let the driver go on his way. He then reviewed the tracker, and showed his BMW doing in excess of 120mph on the short motorway trip to him that day.

He immediately went into the garage, and asked the garage manager about the tyre light. The garage manager called in the delivery driver and quesitoned him. He took the drivers word about the tyre light.

Bob then showed him the tracker data, and asked why the delivery driver thought it was acceptable to do 120+ on a dodgy tyre light (50mph max I believe). Garage manager turned bright red, and apparently you could see steam coming out of his ears.

Driver was calmly fired on the spot, infront of Bob. Garage manager stated he was lucky he was not being taken to the poilce by himself (the garage manager). He gave Bob a full brand new set of tyres for free, refunded him for his service, and apologised profusely.

Bob still goes to the same BMW garage, and is treated extremely well.

**** happens, how you deal with it is what counts. Plus deal with the little shits that treat the second largest investment you are ever likely to make like a hire car.

 

[marty_34]

me personally i would be having 1/2 words, think this comes from experience of having a car bumped whilst in for warranty work and then not being told and allowed to discover - i now always check my car before i leave it with a dealer.

as the last message states - its how you deal with it that counts

as a starting point your service costs to be refunded - its how far you want to go - I'm fairly sure the dealer principal would be unhappy knowing how there staff behave, as the book will stop with them in terms of anything happens as they will be responsible for the whole site

 

[dulux72]

One of my work colleagues had a similar experience when his W12 passat was in for service.
The mechanic was filmed and gps tracked booting the car up and down the A303 in excess of 130mph.
Once the garage concerned became aware of the footage the mechanic was sacked on the spot and all the work that the garage had done was refunded which amounted to over a £1000 as the car was in for cambelt, waterpump etc etc.

Hi mate mini 805 with a 64gb mini sd really clear HD recording it recorded everything said and all of his brilliant driving skills

I also have one of these and if its got the right foot on it to attached it to the windcreen it logs gps data for later use. Would highly recommend it.

 

[chrisRibiza]

Any update today?

Check this article out http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3404946/Subaru-owner-s-anger-garage-staff-pothole-video.html

 

[jaba101]

Any update today?

Check this article out http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3404946/Subaru-owner-s-anger-garage-staff-pothole-video.html

Just received an email from the aftershaves manager on my way to the dealership like a ragging bull obviously not taking this serious enough and to top it off the car keep getting a stop start error

Hi Jason



Thanks for sending in the video, I have dealt with the technician concerned.



Please accept our sincere apologies on behalf of the technician and our dealership.



Kind Regards

 

[Villers]

Oh dear oh dear. Guess its youtube time.......

 

[stu_m]

I would be getting seat UK involved now and if nothing moves just publish the video

 

[JMAC]

Does the video clearly show any speed limits were broken, e.g any correlation with a speed indicator along with the street signs? If that was the case then I'd be contacting the police.

I think going straight to social media wouldn't be your best bet at the mo.

Make an appointment to see the service manager along with the dealer manager/principal. If it wasn't already obvious to them then highlight/voice your concerns, ask them what they intend to do. If you're not happy then take it as hight as possible within the group.

If you've already max'd out the management chain then give SEAT UK a call, though from experience you might as well just go and tell the security guard in a local supermarket for all the use SEAT CS are!

When all the above fails then just take to FB and put something on SEAT UK's FB page…"Would like to speak with someone to discuss why one of your authorized technicians thinks it's acceptable to drive (abuse) my £30k car like a complete…. If it helps I can happily upload video evidence too?"

 

[chrisRibiza]

Jeez I'd be so angry! I'd upload the footage and start to distribute now along with their email!!

 

[Kibby]

well looks like ill be investing in a dashcam hahahaha

 

[Matty91]

Not a good experience. Can understand they need to do a road test but to do it like that is unacceptable.

would be taking it much higher with that pathetic attempt at an apology.

 

[hilly81]

Just received an email from the aftershaves manager on my way to the dealership like a ragging bull obviously not taking this serious enough and to top it off the car keep getting a stop start error

Hi Jason



Thanks for sending in the video, I have dealt with the technician concerned.



Please accept our sincere apologies on behalf of the technician and our dealership.



Kind Regards

That's a totally unacceptable response!

 

[Leonfr140]

All these stories about dealers mis using owners cars is making me think about investing in one of those dash cams!! Otherwise how else are you supposed to know if your car has been mistreated... Youd like to think that it wouldnt happen, but hey!!!