MOT Experience ? - MINI Dealer versus Peugeot Dealer

[MINI_MAN_69]

Hi guys,

Just thought I'd let you all know about this one...

I am P/X ing my Chili Red 51 Cooper for an 05 Hyper Blue Cooper S, and in order to do the cherished transfer I needed to get an MOT sorted PDQ. The BMW/Mini (Wood of Bournemouth) garage were stacked out, so I booked in to George Hartwells on Poole Quay at 08:30 Saturday morning. They failed it for excessive play in one of the front bush assemblies and were going to be quoting £350 to fit a £25 part.

Obviously not that happy with the diagnosis, so I went up to see the Salesman (Seb) at Wood and explained what had happened and presented him with the failure certificate. He made one phone call to the Servcie dept and asked me to drive it up there immediately. Within seconds of walking through the door, they took the car into the workshop and got it on the ramps. After checking what the other garage had said they took me into the workshop and showed me what they were failing it on. Needless to say, even to the untrained eye the scrutinisation by the Peugeot technicians was a little over zealous to say the least. The Service manager then cleared the Mini technicians current workload and retested the car for MOT, without charge there and then.

So the upshot is that WOOD BMW/MINI are fantastic, and George Hartwell Peugeot wont get any more business out of me, even in an emergency! Thanks to all @ Wood, especially Seb the Salesman.

[ButtonIt]

It's great to hear stories of good customer service from a dealership. Normally the only feedback is negative. Well done Wood's and thanks MINI_MAN for sharing

[Tonyt3]

Sorry I dont understand - are you saying that just because you almost got ripped off at a non BMW garage that no one should use a non BMW garage ever for an MOT? Only I've used several and had excellent service.

Surely you should just stick to advising people not to use the single garage that you went to?

Its my view that if you want to have money expertly removed from your wallet the best place is usually a BMW dealership. For example - you need new brake pads - BMW dealerships insist on changing the disks atthe same time as pads. For no valid reason generally. Pads are the consumables, disks are not. Yet every time you want your pads done at a BMW dealership they try to treble the price by fitting new disks.....

[MINI_MAN_69]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Sorry I dont understand - are you saying that just because you almost got ripped off at a non BMW garage that no one should use a non BMW garage ever for an MOT? Only I've used several and had excellent service.

Surely you should just stick to advising people not to use the single garage that you went to?

Its my view that if you want to have money expertly removed from your wallet the best place is usually a BMW dealership. For example - you need new brake pads - BMW dealerships insist on changing the disks atthe same time as pads. For no valid reason generally. Pads are the consumables, disks are not. Yet every time you want your pads done at a BMW dealership they try to treble the price by fitting new disks.....

Hi TonyT3,
The point I was trying to make was that the BMW Dealership had the opportunity to cash in but didnt! If anything they lost money by doing the MOT for free! You sound slightly bitter, methinks there's a bit of disgruntlement somewhere in your service history? .

Overall, my feedback on Wood Mini is positive, they have always been first rate in customer service, and certainly not smarmy ******** like the majority of dealerships.
J

[Tonyt3]

Then perhaps the title of your thread is a little misleading, dont you think....???

"Non-BMW Garage MOT... Dont bother!!! "

And yes, franxhise dealers are usually referred to as 'Stealers' for a very good reason, so I'm very glad you had a good dealer experience.

[MINI_MAN_69]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Then perhaps the title of your thread is a little misleading, dont you think....???

"Non-BMW Garage MOT... Dont bother!!! "

And yes, franxhise dealers are usually referred to as 'Stealers' for a very good reason, so I'm very glad you had a good dealer experience.

I never thought the title would incite such passion Tonyt3, forgive me for dragging up some obvious wounds!

Be careful out there! Watch out for the stealers!

[raiderz]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI_MAN_69 (original)

Be careful out there! Watch out for the stealers!

Yep I will agree, I had an experience a few years ago, car went in for some warranty work and an MOT at the main dealer, they said it needed new discs at £300 a set, "pitted with rust" took it to different MOT garage, they told me it was fine and passed it straightaway.

Best way to get an MOT is look up your local council, chances are they have their own workshops for their vehicles, because they don't repair private vehicles they won't tell you it needs X or Y doing to pass the test. You may pay a higher fee, but its worth it in the end.

[Volte]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3 (original)

Then perhaps the title of your thread is a little misleading, dont you think....???

"Non-BMW Garage MOT... Dont bother!!! "

And yes, franxhise dealers are usually referred to as 'Stealers' for a very good reason, so I'm very glad you had a good dealer experience.

I agree, the title is very misleading - my local garage is fantastic - they have always been great MOTing my cars.

One bad experience at a none MINI franchise should not condemn every independent dealer.

I've bad some bad experiences at BMW/MINI dealers, but I wouldn't condemn them all.

[MINI_MAN_69]

Well, to save another pedantic numpty saying "Yes, the title misleading isnt it"

I'M SORRY, THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT, READ THE BLOODY CONTENT!!!

Just to summise what I meant, AGAIN.... What I was trying to highlight was the good service offered to me by people who know the cars, versus a garage who didnt have the tools for the job. OK?

End of rant. Misleading title? Who really gives a toss anymore?

[AidenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI_MAN_69 (original)

Well, to save another pedantic numpty saying "Yes, the title misleading isnt it"

I'M SORRY, THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT, READ THE BLOODY CONTENT!!!

Just to summise what I meant, AGAIN.... What I was trying to highlight was the good service offered to me by people who know the cars, versus a garage who didnt have the tools for the job. OK?

End of rant. Misleading title? Who really gives a toss anymore?

In a forum where people come to search for accurate information, the title should be correct to aid others .

I'll just edit the title

And your comments need editing too, as they are insulting to other members who are merely pointing out the inaccuracies.

Keep that up, and you'll find not too many MINI2 members offering you help or info when you need it