Why are garages so slack at finising off jobs properly?

I have used several different garages over recent years. They have been independent garages with decent sized adverts in yellow pages. (so not railway arches type, but still reasonable charges.)

Each time I get any work done I open the bonnet after just to check things. They tend to do the repair ok and at a reasonable price. But simple things spoils the workmanship.

eg jubilee clips not retightened, say there is 4 or 5 bolts/screws securing something one is missing and or others not tightened up or just finger tight, air hoses not reconnected, brake fluid cap not screwed on properly, evidence of cross threading wheel nut and stripping the thread of stud and nut, air filter cover not secured properly, evidence of screw slots gouged through using incorrect screwdriver

Am I being picky? Whats wrong in doing a proper job and finishing it off? The thing is most customers wont bother to check these things so the faults will go unnoticed. Its not very assuring is it, makes you wonder about the workmanship they have done where you can't see if all the right bits have been reassembled correctly.

Did you go back and go ape at them for cocking up? If you didn't, that's probably why they're doing a crap job.

AFAIK every survey of garage standards of workmanship, has shown that very few give the standard of service, that a customer has the right to expect. Generally though, small independants had a higher standard than chains or main dealers.

The problem is that the average customer knows little about cars, so trusts the garage to do the job properly. Consequentially he/she is unaware of potential problems due to shoddy workmanship. By the same standards, when something does go wrong because of their incompetence, they can usually absolve themselves of any blame, and charge the customer to put right something they should have done correctly the first time. Mike.

Happens too often - Hellfrauds oil change finished off a mates prelude because of that - he had to sue to get compensation as they claim it's his responsibility to check oil levels.

Just of few examples of my experiences with garages over the years. I just wonder how much is never discovered.

Spark plug overtightened & seized. Sump plug overtightened & seized, necessitating re-tapping & a new plug. Drive shaft coupling bolts insufficiently tightened, after fitting new clutch. New battery fitted but connected with reverse polarity (uncle's car) Oil overfilled after service (several times). No reverse gear after fitting new engine (father's car).

Terry D.

J. Jefferson ( snipped-for-privacy@virgin.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

He didn't wonder about the fact the oil pressure light was on? Before pulling away?

If he drove off with the oil pressure warning light on he's a pratt.

I hope you went straight back and got them to rectify their mistakes and also took it up with the owner (not manager).

Obviously everyone makes the occasional mistake but that is what quality control is for. I expect our work to be double checked before the car is released to the customer.

I put it down to technicians being paid productivity bonuses so want to finish each job as quickly as possible.

But they only half finish them...

Dave Plowman ( snipped-for-privacy@argonet.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Ah, but they half finish twice as many.

i had my metro in for its mot a while back, the replaced a break pad, and a few weaks later, the break fluid light came on. Slightly dnagerous i thought! Thought perhaps it was just getting low anyway, topped it up, and a few weeks later, the light comes on again! Not very high standard really

Barry ( snipped-for-privacy@ta.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Hopefully, they replaced the full set of front pads.

Was the level low originally? Was it low again? If so, then there's a leak

- probably from one rear cylinder.

If not, then does the light double as a pad wear warning light? If so, and if they really just replaced one pad, then perhaps they should have done the job properly.

Otherwise, it's probably just a short in the wiring somewhere. Pad wear wiring is notoriously crap.

Not necessarily very relevant to the work they did.