dodgy car service - what now?

[ms mechanic]

We had our car serviced at a Shell Autoserve at a gas station on the east coast. This was last November. It's a second hand Mitsubishi Grandis, year of manufacture 2005. I took it in for a service ($250) and was called 2 hours later with a shopping list of defects includings brakes, battery, shock absorbers, mountings etc - total bill $2000 when I picked it up later that day. We had approved the repairs by phone because - not knowing a thing about cars - we figured better safe than sorry. Since then, brakes have been faulty and we've taken it back twice to be repaired - first time they just squeaked too much and then they kept slipping, so that got repaired in January; second time there was a loud knocking noise when we applied the brakes and that got fixed in February. On the first visit back to fix them we were told the brake fluid had run out - our question to shell autoserve was how did this get missed in the so-called 'service' just 4-6 weeks earlier? The bill for that - another $380. The second repair in Feb we were told that the knocking noise is typical of ABS brakes. Needless to say, after that repair the knocking noise disappeared, but they gave us that repair for free. Not a week after that repair in Feb, we couldn't start the car - turns out the battery connection was loose and no amount of tightening it seems to make the problem go away. Both times when the car didn't start we rang the autoserve, they came out and got the car, got it running, took it back to their workshop, and then dropped it home claiming it was 'fixed' or 'fine' - no charge. Then this morning - about 2 weeks since the last repair on the battery problem - the car won't start again. Now, after the autoserve people having the car again for a few hours, we were told the ignition starter needs to be replaced under the steering wheel - $400. We declined.

A couple of questions for the mechanics out there - does any of this sound reasonable for a 5 year old car that basically does nothing more than city driving (we never take it out of Singapore)? Where can we take the car in Singapore to be checked over to see if the repairs we've had done are faulty? I called the Mitsubishi dealership at Cycle and Carriage and they refused to service the car because we didn't buy it from them. Anywhere else we can try that specialises in Mitsubishi cars- anyone know of another dealership?

Additionally, we are considering writing a letter or calling CASE as we suspect fraud. Thoughts? Anyone done this? Thanks in advance.

[motor ola]

i dont know about the legal merits but i think you should get an independent opinion on the conditions of your car and the repairs in writing. this will help you with next steps.

[expatica]

I would consider joining the Automobile Association (they're on River Valley Road) and then ask for their advice. They have their own website but the board rules are such, that I can't post it here (otherwise the BM will delete it)

 

[MONEY]

It is all about money. In Singapore when you bring your car to us for service we look at it as an opportunity to make money. The more we can tell you that is wrong with it, the more parts we can "replace" whether we do so or not, the more money we make. If you are expat we like you very much because you are very trusting and we can make more money than we would from a local who is just like us

[$Pripps]

It is all about money. In Singapore when you bring your car to us for service we look at it as an opportunity to make money. The more we can tell you that is wrong with it, the more parts we can "replace" whether we do so or not, the more money we make. If you are expat we like you very much because you are very trusting and we can make more money than we would from a local who is just like us

to be fair, most car repairs shops are like that, I have had a few "experiences" in other countries as well and is not specific for Singapore. Sounds like OP was a bit naive - happens to us all one time or the other.

[Car owner]

Before buying a 2nd hand car it's better to pay 100$ and have it assessed by IDAC. At least you know what you're buying. Where did you buy the car from? A dealer? They usually give you few months of warranty.

I was told by a friend never to take my car to one of those Shell service centres. They are a rip off.

[Dealt-it]

For this reason alone, we only take our car for service to the dealer we bought it from.  In the 2yrs we have had our car, they have been great, upfront and honest.  They even follow up services with a phone call asking if all is ok. 

Car mechanics are a bit like estate agents - crooks through and through.

[Comfort]

I understand that Comfort Delgro (owner of city and comfort cabs and quite a big, listed company) run a number of repair garages here.  They certainly repair their own taxis but are also open to general public. 

As it is a big company, I would guess the rip off factor may be a bit less as the money goes to the company rather than the guy on teh forecourt. 

[To Comfort]

Based on the condition (mechanical) of some cabs in Singapore, I would never take my car to a Comfort / Delgro service centre.

[Comfort]

Well, I am no advicate for Delghro but do you realise that typically those cabs do 15,000 km / month and are driven by maniacs?

[lynne]

is this shell service kiosk near upper east coast road? my husband took the car for servicing last week and we were told similar stuff. but the bill was around 500 cos we rejected some of the items-suggested by the guy.

i need some good
downtoearth mechanics at the east coast area. any recommendations?

[Eat the Rich]

The one near Joo Chiat? Too my car there last year when it started overheating on the ECP. When I got off the expressway, the Shell autoServe place was the first place I came across. To cut a long story short, they fixed the problem, but the car came away 2 days later with a strange whine coming from the aircon and the in car temp gauge reading negative and I got a fairly hefty bill. The staff were clueless and  obviously had little idea what was going on. Fast forward a week, and the same thing happens again, but this time I took the car to the dealer service centre (as I usually do) They diagnosed the problem (seemingly different from before) and fixed it. I did ask if anything that Shell AutoServe had done had make the problem worse, but they said no.

Moral of the story, for anything other than an oil change etc, stick to the dealer service centres. Yes, they are a little more expensive, but there service is usually very good and at least they know their cars

[marriedguy]

I think joining AA and getting an independant mechanic to go over the car are good ideas. After the inspection, if the mechanic feels you have been had, then go to CASE.

[consumer affairs]

if you think you've been ripped off, talk to CASE about it - they're the consumer association.  I think you have to pay a fee to join them, but they'll investigate if they think there's something worth investigating.

[Moral Of Story]

People, always take your car to the authorised dealer for servicing. That is the only way you will have any recourse, should you have issues afterwards. DUH!