A bad day today.

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Mon Aug 05, 2024 8:37 pm

I burst a brake pipe yesterday on my Santa Fe. Knowing my regular mechanic would take at least a week to repair it I made the mistake of asking on Facebook about a mobile mechanic. I contacted one who said he could come out this afternoon. The first red flag was him showing up in a regular car (no van).

I told him the burst pipe was at the rear nearside. The second red flag was him telling me it would be connected to the rear offside. I'm not a mechanic but even I know the brake system is connected diagonally i.e. the rear left is connected to the front right and the front left is connected to the rear right. It's a fail safe system so if you lose one system you still can brake with one rear brake and one front.

I thought to let him get on with it but after two hours he then discovered it was indeed connected to the front left. I then realised he can't be a proper mechanic as he should have known this.

I didn't say much as I wanted to confirm my suspicions with my regular mechanic. He then said he charges £60ph. I was surprised at this as my regular mechanic charges £50ph and he has a garage to pay for.

The guy couldn't finish off the job today, told me it was his birthday tomorrow and he probably be out on Wednesday. I reckon he'd be at least another 2-3hrs so would cost me about £300 for replacing a brake pipe. That seemed excessive to me.

I text the guy and told him I was dissatisfied with his work and explained the reasons stated above he said fine but pay what you owe me. So he wanted £180 for removing a brake pipe!

I normally like to keep the peace but told him he wasn't getting that. I gave him £80 and even that was begrudged.

He told me I just wanted to bump him which wasn't the case. I just don't think he did a fair job..

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Aug 05, 2024 8:53 pm

Unfortunately, it is par for the course these days, all chancers pretending to be something they are not. I think you were generous paying him anything, what a tosser.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Aug 05, 2024 9:40 pm

i would point out you are happy to pay a qualified rate for a skilled man whose is quick and efficient
but as he is a bit on the slow side and learning on the job should be at his expense not yours
the compromise will mean your both pizzed off but thats how it goes ??

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Tue Aug 06, 2024 9:46 am

I've also found out today the simple remedy was to join the brake pipe. Instead he chose to remove the entire thing. So it will cost me more money to put right

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:43 am

ouch lesson learnt

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Aug 06, 2024 12:55 pm

When doing brake pipes the hardest bit is bleeding but there are kits available that pressure the system using a spare tyre for air pressure see https://www.screwfix.com/p/gunson-brake ... -set/33881 The brake pipe sections can be sourced on eBay second hand from breaker cars. Good luck sorting it.

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Aug 07, 2024 12:58 pm

All fixed now. My regular mechanic had to reinstall the brake pipe the arse removed. Lesson learned.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Aug 07, 2024 1:10 pm

I am glad you got it sorted what a useless idiot but more importantly he is dangerous as you could have relied on him and had a crash due to brake failure.

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Aug 21, 2024 11:50 am

I also found out that each brake pipe goes to the servo which is contrary to what I believed in that each one was connected diagonally and then to the servo. Apparently that was the old system. Either way this so call mechanic should have known that.