Compliments of the Season to all.
When dealerships replace brake fluid, are they required to flush out all the fluid or only siphon out and replace the fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
Just an update regarding changing of brake fluid during the 135k service.
After the service, I inspected the brake fluid reservoir and noted that the brake fluid was green in colour, indicating it had not been replaced. Sent a photo to the service adviser followed by an email. No response. Getting hold of the service adviser via phone was impossible.. Honda SA called to enquire about the service. I complained about the brake fluid issue and non-response from the service adviser.
A week later, I receive a call from the service adviser who informed me that according to their workshop, the brake fluid had been replaced. This statement was surprising, as I had already sent a WhatsApp photo clearly showing the discoloured brake fluid, which indicated otherwise. The service adviser requested that I bring the vehicle back to the dealership for further inspection.
Vehicle was taken to the dealership, inspected by the technician, and was informed that the fluid must be changed. Vehicle was taken into the workshop. Went into the workshop at 09:53 and exited the workshop at 10:04. Given the short duration of this workshop visit (11 minutes), I had serious doubts as to whether the brake fluid was completely flushed and replaced. Up unity this point, there was no apology whatsoever from the dealership.
Upon closer inspection at home, I discovered that the brake fluid bleeding nipples on all four wheels were still dry and covered with grit, indicating they had not been used. However, the fluid in the brake fluid reservoir was clear. This strongly suggests that the brake fluid was not flushed through the entire braking system.
To confirm this, I personally performed a proper brake fluid flush via the bleeding nipples. To my disappointment, the fluid extracted was green in colour. This confirms that only the fluid in the reservoir had been siphoned and replaced, while the brake lines still contained the old, degraded fluid.
It is deeply concerning that this shortcut may be routinely applied to other vehicles serviced at this dealership with the owners being unaware. Brake fluid is a critical safety component, and any misrepresentation of its replacement poses a risk to both myself and other road users.
As I lost trust in the service performed, I also replaced the oil filter. The filter fitted to my vehicle bore a manufacture date of 2023, which raises further doubts as to whether it was genuinely new or possibly taken from another vehicle and wiped clean before installation. Incidentally the GUD filter I purchased was manufactured in 2025.
Apart from wanting to replace iridium spark plugs that were not required for this service at a cost of R4400.00, I was invoiced R150.00 for a tablet that was added to the windscreen washer bottle. This is not part of the service and customers should be prompted if this is required as was done during my previous visits. The quote for the brake fluid was R95.00. However, I was invoiced R139.81. An increase of 33%. During the 90 000km service in 2023 I paid R75.00.
After lodging a complaint with the dealership, I received a call from their Service Manager who apologised for what had transpired. He admitted that, after looking at video footage, the brake fluid was not flushed, however the oil filter was replaced. They purchase Honda oil and oil filter packs in bulk of 400 to 500 at a time. Hence the filter manufactured date was 2023.
While this was disappointing, I value the fact that they took responsibility and reimbursed me with the brake fluid change.
After deliberations I was requested to bring the car into the dealership. The technician opened the brake fluid reservoir tank and informed me it needs to be replaced. Drove the vehicle into the workshop. I had my dashcam in the vehicle. Vehicle was in the workshop for 11 minutes.
