[NFS]

I had some servicing work done at the dealers a couple of weeks ago and they handled it pretty badly. I complained at the time and the service advisor did his level best to sort it out, but it seemed clear to me that someone in the dealership was being less than truthful about what they had done.

I had to go back today to get an MOT and to be honest I was dreading it. I was so hacked off from last time around that I would have gone to another dealer except for the fact that this one is so convenient.

Anyway, during the day I got a call from them saying that the engine needed a litre of oil to be sure of passing the emissions test. This sounded like bollocks to me. I already knew that the oil level was one bar short of max on the electronic dipstick. Since it was well above the minimum level I can't see how this could affect the MOT? Told them I couldn't be bothered to debate it on the phone and would sort it out when I came in.

When I got there the service advisor told me that for an MOT emissions test the oil is supposed to be on max. Again, this didn't make much sense to me? I know from experience that the difference between Max and Min is only 1 litre and that the manual tells you to top up when it gets to Min - not before.

Despite this they insisted that they had added 1 litre of oil, measured by pumped dispense !

I really didn't want to have to complain again, but I just can't bring myself to pay for oil that I don't believe they have put in, especially as I don't believe the car needed it in the first place.

Am I missing something here? To be honest I just feel guilty for having complained again, since they did go to some obvious effort to try to get things right this time.

[xenon]

Something to do with the crankcase breather I suspect but it sounds like bollocks to me too.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by xenon

Something to do with the crankcase breather I suspect but it sounds like bollocks to me too.

If it is bollocks then something is wrong at the dealers at a really basic level.

They had obviously been told to watch out for me today and make sure everything was done properly.

There was a senior(ish) looking guy in a suit hovering around the door who greated me by name and they had made sure that the service advisor was briefed in advance.

The fact that they would then go on to try to charge me a poxy £12 for oil that I didn't need just makes no sense.

[willhollin]

Which dealer is this?

[creepy coupe]

I can hear the BS now, low oil = more crankcase gases, which recycles back into the inlet system, which increases emissions, their having you pants down.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Which dealer is this?

I'm not sure I should name them.

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I can hear the BS now, low oil = more crankcase gases, which recycles back into the inlet system, which increases emissions, their having you pants down.

I agree. If the oil level was below minimum I could understand, but surely anywhere between max and min should be fine for the MOT because it's also fine for everyday driving?

The worst bit was having the technician insist he had added a litre, when I know for a fact that the difference between max and min is only one litre.

Assuming he didn't overfill he can only have added about 200ml at most.

It's not a big thing (only £12 after all), but I'm just staggered that they would do this to a customer that they know had problems with them last time and have clearly tried to 'look after' this time.

[dxb335d]

That is complete and utter bollox Si, they just wanted to get a few more quid out of you..

Id fackin launch into one, just for the fact they treated you like a mug!!

Ive had my fair share of wanky dealers and even got some money back from services etc!

[NFS]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

That is complete and utter bollox Si, they just wanted to get a few more quid out of you..

Id fackin launch into one, just for the fact they treated you like a mug!!

Ive had my fair share of wanky dealers and even got some money back from services etc!

I refused to pay for the oil and they waived it.

I felt like a bit of a twat for arguing though. Last time I went in I had a a major ruck. At one point there were about 4 service people trying to sort it out at once, including the senior technician. In honesty I lost my temper with them, which I never do.

I actually feel better knowing that I wasn't being unreasonable this time.

[dxb335d]

No you were not mate, you were well within your rights. Theiving scum i say.

They must try it on all the time with poor clueless people!

[smithysmith]

Name and shame this dealer i say

[MIKEYBMW1]

+1 name and shame or they will keep getting away with it .

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by NFS

I refused to pay for the oil and they waived it.

I felt like a bit of a twat for arguing though. Last time I went in I had a a major ruck. At one point there were about 4 service people trying to sort it out at once, including the senior technician. In honesty I lost my temper with them, which I never do.

I actually feel better knowing that I wasn't being unreasonable this time.

I honestly don't think you were being unreasonable. If they 'cared' about your opinion and continued loyalty at all they would have added the small amount of oil (if needed!!) for free and mentioned that they had done so as a gesture of goodwill.

I run my own business and hate it if things go wrong and a customer is left feeling unhappy. I will go out of my way to ensure that if they use us again, we offer an exemplory service and if minor things such as batteries, fuses, etc are required they will be supplied and fitted FOC (we calibrate test equipment by the way) - this hopefully would go some way into building bridges and ensure we retain all future custom!

It appears your dealership know bugger all about this (pretty similar to my local dealer!) and then proceed to charge you for something that a) you prob dont need anyway & b) even if you do/did you only needed a few hundred ml

They sound like a bunch of clowns matey!

[F104]

actually your engine runs better if you could keep oil just at the min level and keep it there with more frequent checks & oil changes. Real checks that is on a dipstick..

The higher the oil level the more frequent the crank will hit it. The sump is not baffled, so oil will do the same thing as water in a cup you keep between your legs while driving. You brake, the stuff goes forward and up into the crank which is turning pretty fast = loads of oil mist. That's one reason why high performance engines have dry sumps

To state oil needs to be at max levels to pass MOT emissions is b/s. With the car standing still oil level in a running engine will make not one iota difference unless it is way above the max mark and starts hitting the crank.

[Dr Dave]

The only reason the oil level would need to be checked in a car prior to an MOT test is for the emissions test to be carried out. In a petrol car this means running the engine at a fast idle for 30 secs or so; sometimes longer. Aslong as the engine oil is between min and max, all is well.

I was a qualified MOT Tester a couple of years back, so I know what needs and doesn't need to be done.

I reckon the service dept were on to "Sell as much top up oil as possible" week.

Worringly, how many punters pay this £12+VAT withut quibble? All adds up to a lot of money by the end of the week.

[zltm089]

name and shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Neil McRae]

why take your car to a dealer for an MOT? Given how pants most of them are in the service area, take it to a local MOT specialist.

[greatbm]

As manual if oil level is at min add 1 litre, at any other level add 1 litre and it is over filled and not good for engine.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

why take your car to a dealer for an MOT? Given how pants most of them are in the service area, take it to a local MOT specialist.

This was the first MOT / end of manufacturers warranty, so simpler to get the dealer to do it.

What I don't get here is the sheer stupidity of it. Why piss off a valued customer to sell £12 worth of oil?

Especially, when you the staff had clearly been asked to look after that customer?

It was a Sytner dealership. Not going to say which one. This is one of a series of similar incidents where they have arsed about on minor stuff and basically bullshitted me. Never a big deal, but just frustrating and disapointing as a customer.

In the end I'll keep using them though as they are on my doorstep.

[Neil McRae]

yup totally agree and its that aspect of it that drove me to raise a serious complaint about Scotthall to the then MD of BMW who a business associate knew personally.

so you are paying for shite service with convenience which is fair enough but don't expect them to change, and they do it because they know they will mostly get away with it. For ever BMW enthusiast here there are 10 maybe 15 regular BMW bozos, company car drivers etc that would have paid the money,

Scotthall ~ They are captain pants. Yes its a major inconvenience but I just got fed up foaming at the mouth when Scothall would fork up. (I totally relate to your point up above).