RANT - Garages

[gninnam]

For the last few years I have always used a local VW/Audi independent garage and while not being 100% satisfied, thought they were OK.

Some of you may have seen the thread about the noise emanating from the engine bay of the the A8 QS.
So several weeks back I had a look myself and believed it was coming from the front of the engine.
Took it to the independent so it could be fixed.
Dropped it off at 08:15 Friday morning and got the usual spiel that they will ring me and let me know what the situation is.
By 15:30 no news so rang them - "Let me check..... Ah, it's just gone in so won't be long.."
Didn't hear anything for the rest of the day, then at 17:15 get's a call - "Cars ready to be picked up. We close in 15 minutes"

Luckily they open on Saturday morning so got the misses to take me down.
Asked what the problem was - tell me it's the engine breather pipe vibrating and they have put a temporary fix in but really need the pipe replacing.............umm

Wife drives it back and when we get home she tells me it's still making the same noise.
So, take the plastic covers off the engine and check the breather pipes - all OK and no noise emanating from them

Thinks, bugger it, so arranges to take it in to Audi Leeds.
Fast forward 2 weeks later and yesterday I dropped the car off (first class service from start to finish)
While I am there a technician comes out to look at the problem with me (and not just take my word for it) and diagnoses the problem straight away.....
Leak in one of the pipes for the power steering and the power steering fluid was low causing the noise to come from the steering pump (lower front right of the engine)
So kicks myself as I should have checked that (normally never moves for months....)

So, looks like the independent didn't do a thing on that day so totally peed off with them and they have now lost a customer

Will be ringing them on Monday to tell them what I think of them..