Disappointed by Motor Agents workshop once again

[Corbin]

I had a Honda Ballade for 14 years of trouble-free motoring.... But will never buy a Honda again, due to bad service at CT dealer. This was more than 10 years ago (and based on OP experience, seems like a good decision).

My experience:
I had just about no brakes a week after my car was serviced. Luckily, I was close to home and driving very slowly. Popped into the neighbourhood garage and turns out the brake fluid container was empty. A certified mechanic later found a slow leakage that would have taken a few months to drain the brake fluid container. The Honda service centre clearly did not check the brake fluid level, which they should have done.

The Honda guys also told me I needed to replace a left front control arm. Now I could recall replacing a similar part a year or two earlier, so I checked my old receipts... and it was the left control arm already replaced. When confronted, the service manager said it is 'left front when facing the car' ( or right front when sitting in the car... yeah right). Now only if it was the control arm. My mechanic diagnosed it within 5 minutes, as a seal requiring replacement. The car had done about 90,000 km then. The right front (aka 'left front' for Honda) control arm was still fine when I sold it with 180,000 km odo.

The cherry on top... Honda SA declined to intervene. I had to resolve it with the dealership.

I have a 2015 Honda Ballade bought new.
2 months after new had the front brakes and discs replaced because of wobble when braking.
1st service reported the "electronic stability light " keeps coming on . Was told its normal.
2nd service reported a grind when changing gears ... they couldn't find a problem with gearbox. Asked them to make a note on the invoice . hope it will help for a later claim.
Now 2 years and bit the starter packed up. Eventually starts after a few tries but its frustrating as hell. They waiting on a new starter as im typing this.

So much for the "honda reliability" . The ballade is a budget car and it shows but i expected a bit more form its mechanical reliability. And the service leave a lot to be desired .

 

[Geoff.D]

http://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/genuine-honda-petrol-oil-filter-removal-tool-p-1912.html

Basically a cup that fits over the end of the oil filter, I doubt they get used by honda dealers as most people just hand tighten them by hand (myself included). That torque spec applies to most hondas. snap-on also make these for various filter sizes.

Okay so someone thought it nec. to make such a tool. Then I suppose it is nec. to spec the maximum torque to prevent someone overtightening a filter. Pretty sure it is not considered necessary to tighten oil filters to that value?

 

[stroller]

Honda owners should all email Honda SA and ask for assurance that all Honda dealers have this special tool in their workshop with a copy of this topic.

I don't think that Honda SA care too much of customer concern; in fact I don't think that manufacturer worries until the mango hits the fence e.g. Ford with the Kuga saga.

In my dealings with motor manufacturers and dealers Suzuki is streets ahead.