I'm not a massive feminist this has made me see red!.....

My car was due to have its MOT in a weeks time when I had a puncture. There was a tyre place nearby ( not Kwickfit) so I went in to get the tyre repaired and was told that my shock absorbers were in a very poor state etc etc. I listened and then politely told them that the car was going in for its MOT and I would have my usual garage do it. When I took the car into my trusted garage I told them to pay particular attention to the shock absorbers. When I went to collect it my mechanic asked me who had told me the shock absorbers needed replaced because there was nothing wrong with them. I told him and he just shook his head in disgust. He was brilliant!

I quite agree. I had my car serviced at a dealership in October(mainly for technical updates) I was told that my rear tyres were dangerous and they could replace them there and then. I declined and had them checked at my local garage...they laughed and told me that this was a common ploy....4 months later and 2 thousand miles I had my MOT without even an advisory. It would be nice to feel you could trust a dealership.

Craftycat, how awful. Thank goodness you didn’t fall for it. Was that a company whose name starts with K? I had to use them for a tyre repair the other day but was ready to do battle as they are apparently notorious for doing what you describe.

Works both ways! - men buying flowers - they get ripped off! My OH once bought me a bunch of flowers that lost all its petals as I put them in the jug. They would not have got away with selling such rubbish if I had been buying!

I always go to a small local garage who are always polite and explain things clearly. Been going there for years and never feel ripped off.