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Road test routes #

Posted by Brian Spratt on February 14, 2013, 11:29 am
Edited by board administrator February 15, 2013, 2:37 pm

We've had a query about the length of test routes from a garageman whose customer has objected to a test route distance of 9 miles.

Anyone have a view on this, or experience of customer reaction to the distance driven to either identify a fault or to prove that the fault has been cleared?

Re: Test routes

Posted by aidan birley on February 14, 2013, 1:41 pm, in reply to "Test routes"
Aidan Birley

hi

Depends on the Job !! 9 miles for a routine service would I feel be to far, but for a running issue not so unreasonable.

If we have to do extended road testing I would normally include some explanation in details of work done.

Aidan

Re: Test routes

Posted by Matt Seabrook on February 14, 2013, 4:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Matt Seabrook

9 miles for a problem job is nothing if its a glitch capture. Like Aidan said too long for a service though.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on February 14, 2013, 8:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Lee Mackintosh

We often go home in customers cars if its a problem job and that would mean a trip of about 20 miles, never had a complaint yet.

For a routine service around 1-2 mile is what we would normally do.

Intermittent faults which you need to drive a longer than normal distance but the customer brings the car in empty is what annoys us.

Strange how they (customers) think , moan for using the fuel on a test drive but bring the c ar in for a fault with no fuel in as they expect you to add fuel.

They want it both ways.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Brian Spratt on February 15, 2013, 9:01 am, in reply to "Re: Test routes"

Many thanks for your views; good point that a straightforward service perhaps doesn't need such a long test run. Much appreciated.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Brian Spratt on February 15, 2013, 9:03 am, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Brian Spratt

Agreed. Many thanks for your views.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Brian Spratt on February 15, 2013, 9:08 am, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Brian Spratt

I can understand the fuel thing is a real pain. It's obviously customers who think you can do magic ! Many thanks for the thoughts though.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Tom Williams on February 15, 2013, 3:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Tom Williams

It's wise to check where your techs are going when on road test. Apart from length of journey, customers don't take kindly to seeing their cars parked outside shops or anyplace else inappropriate.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Brian Spratt on February 15, 2013, 4:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"

Very fair point ! Thanks.

Re: Test routes

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on February 16, 2013, 1:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Lee Mackintosh

This is a true happening and i just couldn't believe what i was hearing.

We had in a Renault Clio for an MOT & repairs so we lent the owner our Nissan Micra just to make life easier for us both.

Anyway when she came to pay the bill of £130 she said i've put £10 of fuel in the Nissan so i'll only give you £120.

My father didn't know what to say but i walked off as i was slightly amused and angry at the same time.

In my opinion its unreal what customer's expect sometimes.

As for the mechanics using the customers cars for running down the shop etc, i remember when i was on work experience and the mechanic i was working with always used to go down the bank on a Thursday every week in customers cars.

(this happened every time i was there for 4 lots of 2 weeks experience)

Re: Test routes

Posted by Dave Hill on February 16, 2013, 8:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Dave Hill

The last time (actually the only time) that I have ever been challenged about how much fuel was used whilst the car was in my care, resulted in me asking the customer to pay the bill & exercise her right to find another repairer!

She was not happy that her car was covered in dust & that I had apparently used 3/4 tank of fuel.

It was booked in for an emission related problem & she was on holiday for the week.

The car spent an hour in the workshop & was held at fast idle for approximately 20 minutes.

Should we document mileage & fuel content on all cars as they arrive?

Ahh the joy of dealing with customers!

Re: Test routes

Posted by Pete Mutlow on February 17, 2013, 6:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"

This is a slight twist on the subject....

A mobiletuner (not me) was booked to tune a car and turned up at the appropriate time and found the customer just finishing washing the car outside the address. With the tune finished, said tuner sent the customer on a test drive. After waiting 20mins the driver failed to return, so he knocked on the door with the invoice to find out what was going on. Much to his chagrin, the occupant informed the tuner that he had no idea who the driver was. He apparently pitched up outside his address about 10 mins before the allotted appointment got out and proceeded to wash the car......

Regards

Pete M

Re: Test routes

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on February 18, 2013, 9:27 am, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Lee Mackintosh

Obviously unfair for the tuner but what an excellent idea.

Some people just know all the tricks.

Re: Test routes

Posted by aidan birley on February 19, 2013, 1:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"

http://pmmonline.co.uk/news/road-test-distances-under-microscope

Surly some reference to the source of these quotes should have been made ?

Re: Test routes

Posted by Richard Bowler on February 19, 2013, 2:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Test routes"
Richard Bowler - PMM Editor

Hi guys,

Apologies for that as didn't realise that those quotes had originated from this thread.

Story has now been amended - http://pmmonline.co.uk/news/road-test-distances-under-microscope.

Cheers

Rich

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