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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this should be done for free?

52 replies

EpicGem · 17/03/2022 19:38

The front driver's side brakes on my car were replaced last August at Halfords (I know, not the best choice, but they offer a payment plan and I had a nagging feeling it was going to be expensive).
I'm hearing a squeaking noise while driving from the same area and have that sinking feeling that the pads have already worn down. I know it's not my driving as, when the brakes have previously been done at the manufacturer dealership, they've lasted a number of years and, I'd expect it to be all of them, rather than just one.
Now, I've been through the emails and, they there's a 12 month guarantee on all parts they fit.
WIBU to expect that Halfords should sort this out for free?
Or am I deluding myself and going to be told it's my driving to blame for one of 4 brakes continuously needing work?

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 08:28

@Shade17 MOTs = labour.

If your garage wants to charge £50ph that's fine. Mine doesn't. It's not that hard to understand.

Shade17 · 21/03/2022 08:31

If your garage wants to charge £50ph that's fine. Mine doesn't. It's not that hard to understand.

MOT rates and labour rates are different. How do you think main dealers charge £150/hr for labour and £55 for MOTs. What does your garage charge for labour?

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 08:33

@Shade17 absolutely no idea. Annoyingly I had a clear out of paperwork a few weeks ago when I was looking for something house related or I'd check

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 08:42

@Shade17 I've just found this invoice from another garage I used a while ago - not for brakes but for something else - where they charged £45.00 for 1.5 hours so £30 an hour. My mechanic is definitely cheaper than that by quite a bit but this is also a lot cheaper than your mechanic so prices do clearly vary a lot.

PinkFluffyUnicornSlippers · 21/03/2022 08:44

@Ilikewinter

Halfords told me that they give a life time guarantee (well as long as you own the car) on discs and pads, so therefore they should be replacing, or sorting them out free of charge.

You have to get brakes for like for that.

PinkFluffyUnicornSlippers · 21/03/2022 08:45

Aargh! Brakes for Life!!

Shade17 · 21/03/2022 08:53

I've just found this invoice from another garage I used a while ago - not for brakes but for something else - where they charged £45.00 for 1.5 hours so £30 an hour.

Presumably that’s plus VAT but even then incredibly cheap. Back in 2017 the cheapest in the country was £36/hr and the most expensive well over £200. The average is something like £85/hr.

My point wasn't to argue about different labour costs but to say to the PP that no way were discs and pads replaced all round for £60, it didn’t happen.

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 08:54

@Shade17

I've just found this invoice from another garage I used a while ago - not for brakes but for something else - where they charged £45.00 for 1.5 hours so £30 an hour.

Presumably that’s plus VAT but even then incredibly cheap. Back in 2017 the cheapest in the country was £36/hr and the most expensive well over £200. The average is something like £85/hr.

My point wasn't to argue about different labour costs but to say to the PP that no way were discs and pads replaced all round for £60, it didn’t happen.

It was mine that were replaced and yes it did 😂

I will admit I've often asked DP how on Earth the mechanic makes money. He's replaced bulbs for free during an MOT etc too in the past. I honestly don't know how he affords to do it but he's been fantastic to me.

Itwasntmeright · 21/03/2022 08:57

Halfords are appalling, I wouldn’t even take a shopping trolley there. Go to a proper garage and get it sorted.

Tynesider007 · 21/03/2022 09:09

If you want a laugh, google " Halfrauds". I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

Shade17 · 21/03/2022 09:16

It was mine that were replaced and yes it did

Am I getting the wrong end of the stick and £60 was just for labour?

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 09:18

@Shade17

It was mine that were replaced and yes it did

Am I getting the wrong end of the stick and £60 was just for labour?

No, it was the total price. Honestly, I with you, I get it.

I honestly don't realise how he even got the parts for that much but I promise you that was the total price.

I have realised how he does the smaller things FOC though. He always asks if you're going to sell the car any time soon before MOTs and only accepts cash, so maybe it's not all legit but that's his business

Shade17 · 21/03/2022 09:29

What car out of interest? There’s no way the parts can even be got for £60.

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 09:32

@Shade17 Renault Clio.

I know. I agree. I was really surprised at the price. Maybe he had some old stock he needed to get rid of.

fuzzyduck1 · 21/03/2022 12:30

I Never trust Halfords they charge £5 to replace a wiper blade.
It takes longer to open the box than it takes to change

Original poster

EpicGem · 21/03/2022 12:52

Car isn't in until Friday (earliest I could get it seen). Thankfully, I don't really need to go anywhere before next week.
@burnthur5t Thanks for saying my driving must be shit. Considering the last set of brake pads fitted in 2015 lasted my "terrible" driving until last year, I'm not sure my driving is the issue.
You might want to read the part in my OP where I state that it was the brakes on the front driver's side. It's the same brake that is an issue. Not likely to be my driving causing the issue. Halfords guarantee the parts they fit for 12 months or 12K miles. Neither of which have been exceeded (brake pads fitted 7 months ago, only driven 4700 miles since then).
Anyway, I'll know for certain on Friday what the issue is after I've dropped the car off.

OP posts:

KrisAkabusi · 21/03/2022 13:02

You might want to read the part in my OP where I state that it was the brakes on the front driver's side. It's the same brake that is an issue

It is really, really unusual for only one brake to be worked on. They are normally done as pairs.

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 13:05

Was it only your pads that were replaced and the disk that's gone?

Coulddowithanap · 21/03/2022 13:18

I can't imagine £60 would cover parts and labour for front and rear discs and pads to be replaced.

Coulddowithanap · 21/03/2022 13:19

@EpicGem

The front driver's side brakes on my car were replaced last August at Halfords (I know, not the best choice, but they offer a payment plan and I had a nagging feeling it was going to be expensive). I'm hearing a squeaking noise while driving from the same area and have that sinking feeling that the pads have already worn down. I know it's not my driving as, when the brakes have previously been done at the manufacturer dealership, they've lasted a number of years and, I'd expect it to be all of them, rather than just one. Now, I've been through the emails and, they there's a 12 month guarantee on all parts they fit. WIBU to expect that Halfords should sort this out for free? Or am I deluding myself and going to be told it's my driving to blame for one of 4 brakes continuously needing work?

Did they only replace one side of the brakes?

They really should have replaced both fronts even if you had a problem with just one side.

Original poster

EpicGem · 21/03/2022 13:26

@KrisAkabusi They replaced both pads, but it was only the front drivers side that had gone. They'll probably replace both front ones again if I'm right.

@girlmom21 The discs were also replaced in August and are supposed to be good for 50k miles (so another 5/6 years).

OP posts:

Original poster

EpicGem · 21/03/2022 13:27

@Coulddowithanap Both front brakes were done, but only one had an issue. Bit puzzling as to why it's happened again within 7 months.

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 21/03/2022 13:28

If only one pad has gone there's going to be something more seriously wrong with the car. They need to investigate that but honestly, if they didn't notice it when they replaced the brakes, I'd not take it back to Halfords.

Frigginintheriggin · 21/03/2022 13:48

If your tracking is off your break pads will wear quicker but usually one side (I think)

Shade17 · 21/03/2022 18:13

I know. I agree. I was really surprised at the price. Maybe he had some old stock he needed to get rid of.

I don’t know exactly what Clio you had but just looking round at the cheapest stuff you’re looking at £140 minimum for the parts plus £50 for the labour at your previously discussed rate.

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