22 replies to this topic

[jonnyboy]

I feel for these guys Plans, BOT pretty much all the specialists at some point or other will do sterling work and at other times p*ss people off. Its incredibly hard to please everyone and if they get a good rep they get busy and p*ss people off making them wait. They cant win.

 

Seeing a lot of cars come through with histories from various places in the country I can tell you that a Plans and BOT maintained car would put me at ease that its been cared for properly. Phoenix history gives a particularly peaceful nights sleep - There are one or two where I would be checking things a bit more carefully and a couple of places I wouldn't take a mobility scooter but to be honest the general standard is very good across the board. 

[james_ly]

 

 

Plans had my car for a month(!) to do a day or two's work. Every week they said they would do it, then 'something came up' and I would have to wait another week. To be fair I had the Smart as a courtesy car, but this wasn't the service I expected.

 

So I'll be going back to Back on Track when I need a garage again...

 

So I went to BoT for my MOT today. Plans had told me that the balljoint was an MOT fail, and the windscreen wiper. Car passed with no advisories today.  

 

 

And you see that as a good thing...?

 

I once had some tracking done at BOT and they failed to diagnose play in the steering rack and a worn toe link that was making my car wonder to one side. So I'd spent all that money getting the tracking done for nothing! I also had the windows "adjusted" at BOT and nothing changed.... still a screw rolling around in the door and lots of water ingress from poorly adjusted windows

 

I took it to Plans and they diagnosed the problem within an hour and sorted everything, car has been mega ever since!

 

 

I'm just reporting the facts from my experience (as are you), so people can make their own minds up.

RE the balljoint. Well there's no knocking noise, no extra bumpiness. I jacked it up and wiggled the wheel, couldn't find any play (neither could MOT garage). I even told BoT so they had every chance to fail on the balljoint and charge me. And the wiper blatantly works, I drive it everyday so would notice on rainy days...

[Andy_VX]

Yeah It just boils down to your own personal experiences with garages I suppose. Like Jonny says it must be hard trying to keep up such a good reputation when these cars are so sensitive to set up changes etc. also, forums like these where everyone voices their opinion must be a nightmare for them sometimes. I can't say I feel too sorry for any of them though, they charge enough money and both have very impressive facilities and workshops! I just do everything myself now!