Kwik-Fit

[killyourmama]

Had terrible experience with Kwik Fit, took Stilo in for a squeaky front wheel, was first told that my wheel was buckled (not true), then that the alloy was rubbing the caliper (also not true, and you could see that from 10 paces), then that the spacer was the wrong size, although the exact same set-up on the other side had no problems. Result- it's at my local independent now.

They also said they'd swap a tyre about for me, as my spare was brand new & front right was about done, but they couldn't take responsibility for any scratches. I said ok, speaking to the manager and the dude who did the MOTs, assuming a trained pro would do it it 2 mins (with the right gear I could've done it myself) but nearly cried when I came back an hour later and saw four 17 year-old YTS boys struggling just to get the wheel back on, with the addition of one big beast gouge on it.
Never again.

 

[french bean]

Any one in Leicester might like to try Mr Tyre on Aylestone Road, put an Avon on my previous Marea 2 years ago for £38. Last year I phoned them, asked if they would do the same tyre for the same price and it was a yes. Also had front section of the exhaust fitted for £80.00, pretty good when the nationals were asking for £140.00.

 

[killyourmama]

An epilogue to my earlier story (see two posts ago):

Local garage took in the car to see about the squeaky front wheel that Kwik-Fit had given numerous (wrong) reasons for, he sussed it in minutes: the brake was not fitted properly, i.e. it had no fitting kit at all in it!!!!
It was rattling around in there, pushing the spacer on to the caliper housing etc, causing an horrible squeak which made it embarrassing to drive down the street.
I had had a full service done at Kwik-Fit (only took it there because my local was too busy) and mentioned the squeak, they did not pick this up; they swapped over the front wheels/tyres for me, and didn't notice; I then took it to them specifically for the squeak, they didn't pick it up. I'm going to take some advice from earlier in this thread and made a complaint, & they'll never see my car again.

 

[Layla_CK]

Kwik fit in Bromsgrove rewired my mom's battery up the wrong way round

I've just had two budget front tyres with tracking and balancing for £60....I think that's not bad:idea:

 

[nic99]

Had a new exhaust fitted on Saturday at Quik-fit, 3 days before my first MOT was due. Just my luck!!! Set me back £150 and now theres a strange banging noise everytime i go over a speed bump. Any ideas ???? Thought it was strange a 3 year old car with 20,000 miles on the clock would need a complete new exhaust????

 

[susiejay]

I took my old rover to kwik fit to get a new rear section of the exhuast. The "fitter" (more like monkey) was actually lifting himself off the ground hanging onto my exhaust, in an attempt to remove the rear section. Result - whole new exhaust from front to back as it was now "blowing" from the front.

Not been back there since.

 

[T14086]

I'm sure kwik-fit operate a bonus scheme for parts sold,this is why I stay away from them....maybe things have changed thesedays?
What I found strange from other people is when they say "yeah you need it now" which basically means we have it in stock compared to "it will last another 6 months" which means we havent got it in stock

 

[Jai]

having said that for a bog standard car (that means mums hyundai lantra) which needed 4 tyres in a standard size, which just happened to be on an offer, all in for £80, was perfect, the chaps at the south harrow branch were polite and efficient,

 

[Virmin]

Keep away from those chumps. They threaded a wheel nut of mine once. I complained and their head office denied it saying all their staff are fully trained and know how to put a wheel back on. The gimp had the nut on the gun before he put it in the hole...yet they completely turned it around blaming me saying I must have taken it off after and put it on wrong myself. Needless to say, a tirade of abuse and swear words followed, didn't make a difference but made me feel better

 

[Ozzie1989]

I have to say I have yet to complain about my local Kwick Fit! Probably helps that my father knows the main guy there though so always get good discount on tyres, brakes etc which is good because my Doblo eats a set of tyres every 5000 miles at the moment

Although I once took a Transit Van there for some front wheel bearing work, and they had to grind the old bearing out and they let some work experience kids have a go... this made me very worried. But they showed me the work and said they were supervised and we've never had a problem 20,000 miles later

Off down there today for 4 new tyres so I'll let you know... I do however always stay in the workshop and watch them (good chance to have a good inspection of the car/brakes etc as well) so this probably helps!

As far as wheel nuts go, my local one refuses to use the air guns to undo wheel nuts, they use proper wheel braces and then once all wheels have been put on the main guy there inspects all work and tourques the nuts correctly to finish. The main guy always double checks all work done by his staff, perhaps this is just good management at this particular depot.

 

[SamG_Brava]

I am insured through Kwik Fit and get something like 15% off EVERYTHING in store which is the reason i go there. I do however only go there once i know for certain what is needed, because otherwise they try to sell you more than you need!!!!

 

[jug]

I am insured through Kwik Fit and get something like 15% off EVERYTHING in store which is the reason i go there. I do however only go there once i know for certain what is needed, because otherwise they try to sell you more than you need!!!!

to be honest 15% off quick-theft prices is still way more than you'd pay elsewhere. always ask about.



i'd rather not have tyres than go to quick-theft

just remember the song:
"you cant get thicker than a quick-theft fitter."


according to that undercover programme a few years back that euromaster place is just as bad, and national autocentres are too. the advice of that programme was to steer clear of the large chains, and always watch what they do on your car. then again the same programme showed that old granny getting bent over at an independant so there's no-one you can trust

 

[Hellcat]

How careful are they with alloys though?

I usually order new tyres online and have them fitted to the rims by an alloy refurb company.. They're more likely to avoid scratching the alloys incase I demand they refurb the lot! They also only charge £5 per wheel fully balanced.

I fit the newly tyred wheels myself, and have a good look at the brakes and suspension while I've got the wheel off.

I can't see Kwik-fit being as careful.

 

[jug]

true, alloys suffer at most places. both my back ones got scratched last time, and even though i complained there is little they can do except knock a few quid off (i got £10 )

 

[Hellcat]

There is no need for alloys to be scratched though. It's a combination of lack of concentration and lack of skil. I watched the guy at Romax fitting tyres on my shiney newly refurbished tipo wheels. He took his time putting it onto the machines and didn't force anything against the edges of the rim.

I'd also asked him to swap the partly worn tyres onto some 5 spoke alloys - they were in a slightly rough condition but he still took the same time and concentration. They certainly on my crimbo list this year

 

[SamG_Brava]

For tyres i usually just buy part-worn from C.B.Tyres on Sherriff hill, never had any problems and get tyres supplied and fitted for £10-£15 each

 

[Hellcat]

Part-worn?

 

[Virmin]

I use RSR for tyres, as I bought my alloys there, and they are always careful with alloys

 

[Jai]

Part-worn?

amen to that, really cant see the point in that false economy

 

[Hellcat]

Only time I've used part worn is when I've bought alloys with tyres fitted.. Even then I'm very cautious about them, and won't drive as hard as I would on brand new tyres.