Mechanic tried to rip me off

[katet01]

Hi everyone,

I just bought my car and in oz we have to get an inspection of the car with any transfer. I took the car in to the service at a chain garage, to be told it 'needed new front and back brakes and rotors'... $1100. I took it to a Peugeot dealer to get a spare key programmed to be told it 'needed new front and back brakes and rotors'....$1400. I rang the inspection place who said they couldn't remember exactly how much was left but that the brakes were fine.

I took it to my little local guy 'Trev' of 'tevs autos' who inspected them in front of me and said... The front brakes have 15000kms and are fine. The back breaks have 5000kms and when they are done the rotors can be machined this time... In 3 months- $300.

Beware.

[Capncol]

Hi Kate & welcome. I'm not sure about Aussie prices, so don't know if that is expensive or not. In the UK, Brake discs for Peugeots are so cheap, it is not worth machining them.
Interesting that your mech can give a life expectancy of the remaining pads as it varies hugely between driving styles and the type of journeys undertaken. For example, someone who commutes long distances via motorways will wear the brakes less than some one who lives in a hilly area, drives in rush hour traffic and goes down hills "on the brakes"

[littleblue]

Hi

Bought ours in March, took it for a free safety check at a national chain and was told that the rear brake discs and pads needed replacing - quoted £270 as "discs contain the wheel bearings". Bought new disc and pad set for £34 on eBay (including £1 donation to Children's Charity) and had fitted by local mechanic for £40.

Same chain told me on a Monday that my daughters Hyundai Getz needed new discs and passed it for MOT on the Thursday with no advisories even saying when we picked it up that it was in perfect condition. Did not have discs replaced. Got to watch chains!

[katet01]

For the oz dollar at a very approximate figure halve the numbers so 550 pounds and 700 pounds very approx..... Peugeot parts very expensive here and I think their eyes light up when they see me drive in. An example is a second key just cost me approx 200 pounds (Not sure how much they are in uk)

As for driving style things are a little different in this area from the uk. Where I live the roads are straight and fast with little or no 'city' driving and the wear est,at is approximate bases on the amount of pad left. Most mechanics do it like that here. They will tell you in mm how much is left too.

[katet01]

Hi

Bought ours in March, took it for a free safety check at a national chain and was told that the rear brake discs and pads needed replacing - quoted £270 as "discs contain the wheel bearings". Bought new disc and pad set for £34 on eBay (including £1 donation to Children's Charity) and had fitted by local mechanic for £40.

Same chain told me on a Monday that my daughters Hyundai Getz needed new discs and passed it for MOT on the Thursday with no advisories even saying when we picked it up that it was in perfect condition. Did not have discs replaced. Got to watch chains!

I guess brakes are an easy target as most people panic when the hear something's wrong with brakes. I knew something was up though as when I told each place the brakes had just been inspected the replacement suddenly wasn't so necessary!!!

[littleblue]

Yes same thing happened. Checked Aus Ebay, the rear brake kit I bought (pads and rotors) is 112 Aus$ delivered.

[suegriff]

Hi

Bought ours in March, took it for a free safety check at a national chain and was told that the rear brake discs and pads needed replacing - quoted £270 as "discs contain the wheel bearings". Bought new disc and pad set for £34 on eBay (including £1 donation to Children's Charity) and had fitted by local mechanic for £40.

Same chain told me on a Monday that my daughters Hyundai Getz needed new discs and passed it for MOT on the Thursday with no advisories even saying when we picked it up that it was in perfect condition. Did not have discs replaced. Got to watch chains!

Beware these free check places, they do go by if there over half worn they need replacing. local one near us was fined over it, as people always say women dont know a thing about cars, so dont many men!!

[Capncol]

Beware these free check places, they do go by if there over half worn they need replacing. local one near us was fined over it, as people always say women dont know a thing about cars, so dont many men!!

Next time I check my brakes, I'll get you to help!

[suegriff]

Beware these free check places, they do go by if there over half worn they need replacing. local one near us was fined over it, as people always say women dont know a thing about cars, so dont many men!!

Next time I check my brakes, I'll get you to help!

I dont mind getting dirty

[gazza82]

"discs contain the wheel bearings"

Well you've probably realized that they don't!

The wheel bearings are in the hub and the brake disc/rotor attaches to that with two small screws ...