Matt & The Mechanics

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I've had a couple of experiences this week which have led me to this video. Let me know what you think.
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#mechanics #highpeakautos

[@staycasual7203]

“...it’s a 10 year old Insignia not a Saturn 5 rocket....” That line got me, I’ll give you that 🤣

[@tcaudiobooks737]

Saturn 5 is a tune!

[@Nick_G7IZR]

I'd hazard a guess that a 10 year old Insignia is probably more complicated than a Saturn 5 rocket...

[@stevedaniels2010]

Got me too lol

[@staycasual7203]

@Wesson Zion oh wow that’s brilliant that would literally change my life YOU ABSOLUTE WHOPPER

[@staycasual7203]

@@alijahlewis3043 Jesus wept, you a whopper too then?

[@GTS-Tuning]

I’m a young mechanic and recently opened my own garage 2 years ago. It took me a long time to stop doing this! It’s built into us from apprenticeship days. A lot of mechanics do this because they don’t truly believe their diagnosis is right and would rather price you out. But yeah loved this video. Great reminder for me to just get on with it!

[@booter654]

Which city are u based in, mate?

[@DubSalvation]

@@booter654 chandigarh

[@delmilligan4584]

Not in my time … old school mechanics tend to be honest

[@anthonynewey3821]

ATS , Halfords etc are not mechanics . They are fitters . All the difference in the World .

[@jontnoneya3404]

Think of it this way - you're doing a job that we can't or don't want to do. We often have jobs and we'll make far more money with a trusted mechanic working on our vehicle, even if it's more expensive, than we will working on it ourselves OR shopping around for a better deal. Simply knowing it'll be done right and that you'll stand behind your work, that's worth a premium price. Some may grumble a bit but the ones who recognize value and quality work done without hassles and if it's not done right will make it right.....are worth their weight in gold.

[@sheriffbufordtjustice5492]

I genuinely spat my cornflakes across my Ipad when you said Dominic little knob. Loving the classic one liners 👍🏻

[@darthfall216]

🤣😂

[@Flub-A-Dub]

Maybe it is the Sun :-) My Portuguese mechanic does extra little jobs FOC if he spots them - always happy & jolly : e.g. 1992 E36 Gear knob loose : Epoxied back in place - solid as a rock, Air Vent broken - "I had one lying around so I fixed yours" One door 'creaks' on opening - He goes round and greases up all of them.. If the car is in over night - it always comes back jetwashed.. Point is - he is happy to do it - part of his work ethic & it builds fantastic customer loyalty. Totaly agree about most UK mechanics.

[@stephendrew9991]

Decent, honest mechanics are as rare as hens teeth. I’ve used the same one for over 20 years and never had a failure or breakdown. I know nothing about mechanics, so I leave it to someone who does. He is very thorough, and does what needs doing. If it can wait for 12 months, it doesn’t get done-if it may cause a problem over the next 12 months, it’s sorted. One of my concerns in life is when he retires!

[@peterowen4456]

When I had a BMW 3 series in the 1990s I had it serviced at a firm called Auto Technic in Altrincham. They were great and did exactly the same as your guy Stephen - they'd tell you something might need attention next time but didn't rush to part you from your money.

[@andrewbass6837]

Scotty Kilmer claimes to be a honest mechanic

[@adambritain5774]

I'm one! If anyone needs their car fixing in the north west (the actual north west, nearly Scotland!), I'm the man.

[@brendancaldwell7755]

Charges $140 a hr

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@andrewbass6837 Kilmer claims many things: Mostly that everyone on the planet, except for him, is "STUPID".

[@simonbuckle104]

The Black Country impression is priceless mate !? Car sales man one min the next comedian. 👍🏼😂😂 brilliant and so true vid.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Haha thanks

[@KarlBate]

Birmingham or Black Country Matt. Be careful like calling you a Manc. When you clearly aren’t.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Karl Bate yes this is an education. I thought it was the same accent

[@patricklynch7285]

@@KarlBate this is not racism get over yourself it's fucking banter

[@removaldaddy]

Well you did say u were an actor. Great impression

[@jonathanholley8043]

Made me feel so much better knowing that even a professional like Matt has his problems with mechanics, thought it was only us uninitiated public. Next time I change my car will make the journey from the south coast up to High Peak Autos .

[@tommyharrold287]

My brother's a mechanic and it's amazing how right you are. He has to be one of the most pessimistic people I have ever met.

[@grahamc4418]

My mechanic is 30 miles away from where I live he's saved me 1000s on unneeded repairs . A good mechanic is often worth more than the car you are buying

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thats correct too

[@malcolmmorton989]

I used a local mechanic for years when I had V.W's - but for some reason , when I switched my car to a Mini , his entire mindset seemed to change to one of negativity. When the car failed MOT on emissions , he tried everything to rectify the problem (except the obvious) because he was absolutely adamant that it wouldn't be the CAT. He eventually gave up and suggested a local BMW specialist . Within 5 minutes they'd diagnosed the CAT was shot. I've now switched to a new local startup garage who are a joy to deal with. They're so positive , always give you a realistic estimate , and fall over themselves to make you welcome and part of the process.

[@utoobia6872]

My dad's been a mechanic for over 50 years (though not active anymore, just works on minor things on our family cars), and he truly is a "glass half-empty person", just like you stated at 0:23. I've actually never thought this had to do with his profession. I always assumed it was just his nature, but you make some good points.

[@john1703]

Mechanics are responsible for the safety of the car. That tends to make the good ones very careful, which you see as pessimism.

[@aaronsaffer]

Whenever I call a garage and ask when they can fit my car in, they always seem to say, "we're fully booked at the moment", so you ask "alright when shall I come in?", to which they say "drop it off first thing tomorrow". Then you get there at 8am, there's no room to park your car and they tell you it's not going to be ready until the end of the day. You then get a call at 11am with a price and its ready to collect at 2pm 😄

[@davidstuart4915]

pretty much the formula.....

[@adriver3528]

Thanks for the laugh Matt - the budding actor was definitely in evidence today

[@tcaudiobooks737]

Come over to audiobook land Matt, you'd be bloody good!

[@leighdamian]

I took my old cavalier to a Kwik fit years ago for a free brake check. This was two weeks after completely replacing the brakes and low and behold it needed new brakes. Con merchants the lot of them.

[@HighPeakAutos]

I can believe it

[@Benzknees]

A brake check on a car with new brakes?

[@GrrMeister]

Perhaps you had forgotten to refit the Callipers, or bleed the system ?

[@jaytee8188]

3 whoosh parrots please.

[@leighdamian]

david cooke no I hadn’t. It was in the early 90,s I wanted to see what crooks kwik fit really were.They offered the check for free so I took them up on it.

[@TheDreadnoughtgames]

I always find it interesting that the people least skilled to deal with customers on a day-to-day basis seem most drawn to jobs where they have to do it the most! Great channel - its a really interesting view into the life of a car dealer...

[@waynedl99]

Maybe they don't start off that way. For instance, I started driving service buses (the Stagecoach 192 he mentions for example) back in 2000, I was a happy yoof :) Always polite and happy to have a chat and most sh1t was water off a ducks back, but by 2006 I had to come away from it, not sure if my tolerance dropped or the number of complete twa7s increased or what. In those years, I drove buses, coaches and taxis (mini-bus taxis), and you'd start each day afresh, but usually an hour into it you'd become a moody, miserable, ignorant git. And, I think it's exactly the same for any customer dealing job, you deal with that many people that you just get ground down

[@lukeferguson9010]

This definitely needs to go viral and shake up the whole industry! Like you say people need to cry less and get the jobs done... the mechanics definitely need to stop making you feel like you’re gonna fall of ya chair and just get it done and the honest ones need praising and more recognition. And we need more dealers like yourself

[@resnonverba137]

Like, 'you'.

[@benny_mc]

Dominic Little-nob 😂😂😂😂

[@HighPeakAutos]

I’m not a fan of that fella. Could you tell? 😂

[@benny_mc]

@@HighPeakAutos sat here still watching the video. I think this is you at your comedic best. Cracking me up dude! "Caravan on Abersoch"😂😂😂😆 Warrenites by any chance????

[@HighPeakAutos]

I've never actually been but I definitely don't want to.

[@pddixon]

The amount of people that came to me after his TV appearances asking for discount 'cos Dominic Little-Nob told me to.' isn't even funny.

[@stokeontrentchannel3593]

@@HighPeakAutos love it

[@timothywebb6308]

Absolutely brilliant.I've been driving for 35 years and lost count of the number of times this has happened to me.

[@allangibson4354]

Magnificent video, really deserves an award. Wait till you have had 45 years in the motor trade then see how you feel. Problems are partially caused by poor training and poor wages. Also in many cases they have had to deal with sales managers who want to cut every corner possible to save a copper. I worked with one such service manager who tried to force a technician to bypass a brake sensor rather than fit a new one, that was at a well known main dealer group in Newcastle where such practices were the norm. You are not viewed as a valued customer but almost like the "enemy", which is an appalling attitude. This negative attitude is passed on to service reception where it is concentrated to such a degree that I have seen customers in tears. When you are ready to expand maybe you could consider having your own workshop, for general service work, with staff who share your ethos. This can eventually turn into another profit generator by selling the technicians time when they are less busy on sales preparation etc.

[@adrianwhitehead1950]

I spat my tea out at “regular visits from the Snap On man” 🤣.

[@standishgeezer]

Spot on Matt. I've had phone calls that have me imagining the need to get a second mortgage only to find the total bill for the catastrophic faults was £80.

[@HighPeakAutos]

😂

[@stuartgillies8307]

Just watched this video, we do restoration and have been bitten more than once by customer’s refusal to pay for extra work or parts , sometimes we’ve had to leave the job because the customer wants to think about £50, so you see there’s two sides to the coin , so a phone call can save us a lot of hassle, great videos by the way and your obviously a very honest guy .

[@golders99]

So true, back in the 90's I stupidly took my car to Kwik fit for two new tyres. They said it needed new springs and shocks all-round asap. 4 years later the car was still working perfectly fine on the old springs and shocks.

[@brianfeely9239]

This is sooo accurate. There’s always an impending disaster with mechanics. Generally I think their personality type is unsuited to dealing with people in a professional sense

[@garyredmond1890]

Love this, not sure how I missed it first time round. Wife's V70 is on its last legs and I'll be more than willing to make the 600 mile round trip to buy from High Peak Autos - can't put a price on honesty and decency in any trade nowadays.

[@bendoyle5023]

Bad timing! The missus is upstairs changing into something exciting, I've just asked her if she can wait for 12:22 seconds 👍

[@HighPeakAutos]

If she waits, she’s a keeper.

[@edwardmurray8507]

Try marrying her, that'll soon stop 😂

[@bendoyle5023]

Now I've finally watched the video I can happily agree with you. Mechanics are the most miserable people you'll ever come across. A funny thing I remember is when doing a service it wasn't rare I would find £500 - £1000 worth of work that needed doing. I would mention this to the superiors and they would bullock me for finding that much work and demand I did not tell the owner of the car. I could only tell them about £100 worth at fear that the customer would be angry... but it is what it is at the end of the day. Hence why I am no longer working there

[@HighPeakAutos]

Ben Doyle that’s interesting. I’m learning lots tonight

[@BobMc87]

Bloody hilarious!!! Great video! My current mechanic is good, knows me well, knows my car must start and get me where I need to go every time. Regularly serviced, expensive tyres, if one side is getting done, just do the other side to save it being off the road again. Recently he told me something is wrong with the.... what ever it was, I said "Ok when can you do it?" he says "Nope! not me, it has to go to Subaru for it!" So I kind of felt glad that he told me, and it wasn't him trying to drum up business for himself.... I bought a V reg Corsa back in the day! It was MOT'd the morning I got it. Next day felt it wasn't going right, so had a mechanic look at it... Broken spring, and a large cut on the inside tyre wall. Didn't phone the car sales place, phoned the garage who MOT'd it. Told them what I had discovered. A recovery vehicle came out and recovered it, sorted it and there you go. Dodgy Dave the car saleman must have passed his mate miserable Mark the mechanic, and he MOT'd it without seeing the car. Who actually paid for the recovery and repairs I don't know. Wasn't me.

[@m44nee]

It's so refreshing to see that you do so much to keep your customers happy. Keep it up!

[@Jack-hg1hq]

I know exactly where your coming from, I took my classic car for an mot (back when they needed one) and the tester was a miserable sod who was very rough with the car, swore under his breath constantly and failed it on some tiny little issue. I've worked in a garage before and wasn't like that but most I encounter are. Now I just do my own work so I know exactly what's been fitted, how much the parts were, and that nothing's been damaged

[@HighPeakAutos]

Yes that’s right. It’s frustrating but if you can do some work yourself then that’s ideal

[@Hustwick]

If you're in South Devon then Jason Bowden, Torquay. All day, everyday. If he gets a car that he can't fix (and believe me, that's not often) then he loves the challenge of working it out. Great guy.

[@davidstuart4915]

almost worth moving!

[@streamcarsbagshot]

@@davidstuart4915 or travelling!

[@drron689]

You have perfectly summed up 90% of the mechanics I've dealt with through a lifetime of car ownership!!!

[@trevorhaigh5919]

This is just so true to life with dealing with so many tradesmen in general and not just mechanics.

[@neilwalsh4058]

On the other hand and speaking as time served tradesman, I find unskilled pen pushers who don't know which end of a screwdriver to hold, the most difficult to deal with.

[@trevorhaigh5919]

@@neilwalsh4058 Have been a joiner since 1971, so know what I’m talking about !

[@bonnscott]

I've been using the same mechanic for 30 years brilliant lad 100% trustworthy and bloody good at his job

[@paulsheehan2998]

Think this has been a getting to you for a while. Awesome vent.

[@evoivowner7732]

I'm no dealer but everything you say is consistent with my experience. Respect to you for having to deal with this on a daily basis👍

[@allistairshort1543]

Thanks interesting viewing as usual. I used the same garage for years they were brilliant, trustworthy, and cheerful. Moved house a few years ago and went through all you explained and more and still after many attempts haven't found a mechanic I am happy with until recently and went with a friends suggestion who are very good and don't take the piss.

[@alchapman1052]

Don’t envy you as a good guy salesman having to deal with nameless mechanics miles away. A good garage is a priceless asset . Keep up the good work and stay cool.

[@craigdiamondbrite]

Your so right, this is exactly why I left the garage I worked at and started working for myself, 90 per cent of the mechanics I know hate what they are doing and are so miserable at work.

[@john1703]

and can't wait to get off the tools and into the showroom to sell new cars.

[@andru9102]

Love the video and I’ve been there so many times before. For the last 10 years or so I’ve had an excellent local mechanic who seems to know everything about every car, He’s never in a rush to replace things and always charges a very fair price. If anything, he can be a bit too relaxed about parts. I had a blowing exhaust and he said it would be fine for a week or so until he got me a new one but it broke in half on the way to work the next day.

[@stacyplant9327]

100% agree! Had so many difficult experiences with mechanics. Found a good local garage now but took some doing.

[@WADS67]

I'm a car dealer and I go through this on a regular basis. Makes our life so difficult as the customer always believes the garage giving the advice.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

Oh rapture! It's rant day! Matt, every second of this one is pure gold. Sound effects! Accents! SNARK!! You made my day.

[@keithramshaw8882]

I’ve watched nearly all of your videos and quite frankly find you so informative and amusing. Brilliant work, thanks. When I’m ready I’ll definitely be in contact.

[@londospark7813]

I am so fortunate with my mechanic. He knows the deal with me: "If you'd do it to yours then please do it to mine" - I've rocked up many a time for him to say "Clutch didn't need doing, just get used to it" and "While I was in there I did a couple of extra bits that needed doing, it'll be an extra 20 quid" - those were bits that had they broken would have written the car off. Feels so nice to know you have a good mechanic who doesn't do work that's not needed but also doesn't mess about when jobs do need doing.

[@philsharp2715]

I used to live in a fairly poor town where nobody seemed to have much money. I found that mechanics,plumbers, electricians etc.would always ring first before they went even slightly over their quote,sadly they must have had some bad experiences. Love the brummie accent by the way!!!

[@vxrbandit2527]

Matt at his comedic best 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌 Great to have you back mate👍👍👍👍 Reg`s as always Steve.

[@vinimaguire8109]

Yep spot on Matt...I remember years ago when if my dad couldn't fix his own Hillman Imp van in the driveway back in Stretford there'd always be a mate from the pub or a neighbour would come round and jiggle with the dizzy cap or loose battery terminal and we'd be off camping to Edale for the weekend in it . Love the channel i've been in Australia too long now but your videos somehow keep the memories very alive of those car stories from the 70's & 80's.

[@andycarp1288]

Hi Matt just recently got into watching your videos ( got a good few to work my way through) have to say I love your up front and honesty to the way you conduct you business and your total unbiased opinion towards your reviews to conduct on the cars you review ,please keep them coming 😁😁

[@Aruneh]

This entire rant came straight from the heart.

[@tomdan15]

My only question is when is your stand up comedy show series starting 🤣 I feel like you have plenty more stories to tell! The way you tell them is very entertaining

[@363cgtdbdhdx]

I love all your honest , interesting and funny videos, my new fave channel, I’m binge watching them as much as possible . Keep it up , thanks 👍

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks for watching!

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, that did bring some memories back, not always mechanic's, relatives do it also to you.

[@parvinkukar1259]

Definitely agree with you and it’s taken me years to find a mechanic I trust. Although I feel he is around 20% more expensive than other local garages I know he only does what is needed and will give me options on more expensive stuff, but best is that he will give me a honest opinion on whether to carry out the work or not. So I take my cars to him always now, but he still can’t resist telling me how difficult it is to do

[@chrisblay]

This reminds me of something that happened years ago. I used to work in the trade as an apprentice mechanic along with another apprentice who was eventually let go. After I qualified with city & guilds ( no they don’t have a negativity course🙂), I left the trade and moved onto other things. My car needed a new exhaust and I ran it into Kwik Fit as cheapest option. Took the opportunity to go under ramp and check out underside of car for myself. The guy fitting the exhaust started hanging on the suspension and saying “oh your shocks and knackered and you need new brakes plus discs”. I said, don’t think so, I’m a mechanic myself. He looked at me and went “ oh it’s you Chris alright mate. Yeah, don’t worry about all that , it’s just a load of old bollocks to sell stuff”. I won’t say his name, only it was hilarious 😂.

[@chrisblay]

@Lord Rupert To be fair, it was a long time ago and most of those I worked with in the motor trade were good people. Still makes a funny story though.

[@ZakonMari77]

Absolutely spot on this wingding and pathing is so annoying! So hard to find one that gets on with the job honest mech. without dipping hand in your pocket for no reason like big brands you mentioned. My worst personal experience was with VW garage in Ruslip where they charge me £1200 to raplace chain tensioner on mk6 golf and problem still exist. It turn out this engines had been known faults across the range that year🤦‍♂️ money grabbing scums. Props for the grate work you do and your team keep it up 👊

[@DermotCarroll]

Hahaha - Jade, 23 from essex!! .. That made me laugh! This video has sooo resonated with me! The doom and gloom and then the bill is a couple of hundred! That said, I have a local mechanic who is a complete star, and I trust his advice 100%. I referred a friend of mine to him, who had an old M3 with gearbox leak. BME Ireland wouldn't touch it, suggesting that he should sell it as boat moorings. He was quoted huge amounts for a replacement gearbox. My mechanic, Fred (I kid you not), quoted my friend €1,500. A day later he rang my friend saying that the job didn't take as long as he thought and asked was €900 ok! .. If this isn't great customer service, and how to build a business, I am at a loss as to what is! ... Happy to share a good story! I could have easily shared doom and gloom ones, but for that all we need to do is watch the news! P.S. it's great to see that you sir have integrity and scruples! Hope to buy a motor from you in due course, when this madness is over!

[@chriseaton7942]

Nailed it Matt, every time they try to bring you down, takes a strong person to keep enthusiastic about used car sales, glad you've got a small core of technicians to call on, afraid I've had enough of the doomsters and only buy almost new cars & change them soon after the first or second MOT

[@jaromor8808]

Couldn't you car-selling guys build a list of proven mechanics?

[@HighPeakAutos]

Good idea

[@notroll1279]

Sometimes, you'll find recommendations in internet forums about individual car brands or models. Some of those might be faked but if you'll find several members with a history of sensible entries agreeing about a certain independent mechanic in their area, chances are he or she's legit.

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thats true. There are too many factors

[@SutherlandCharlie]

Please do it, this would be a gift to society 👍🏽

[@ondrej185]

@@HighPeakAutos bad idea :) they will get too busy for you and jack prices up

[@evo5dave]

I love how they always tell you how difficult the job was when you collect the car.

[@flyme195]

Totally agree. Finding a good, honest, reliable mechanic is VERY difficult and like you, when I’ve found one, the will get ALL my business without fail

[@alexhart4763]

Just found your channel. Brilliant. So funny. Im in retail and I share your pain with a lot of what you say! Hope business is going well.

[@subarnosinha8042]

Oh nice! A video from you. Hope you're doing good. Cheers!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks! Yes all good thanks

[@andybliss6538]

Hi Matt, Free health check! I did some work for Halfords many, many years ago and they had us going around the car parks putting fliers on car windscreens advertising this very thing. It was horrifying just how things were blown up to make them worse than they were. I saw a woman in tears when she was told just how dangerous her Volvo 340 was (that’s how long ago it was!) I have to say I think they don’t do this now, but your comments did bring back some memories. BTW, I left about a week later in disgust and went to work for a motor factors supplying that very Halfords.

[@Mike-br8zt]

I love watching your videos just to see the Cheshire and Lancashire countryside. It has been 30 years since I left the UK and I miss it - especially your cheap cars.

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Very interesting topic and I've been fortunate enough to work with excellent independent garages to look after our cars. I think this is also part of a wider issue that if you trade in an area that isn't very prosperous all the conversations seem to revolve around price as people seem to want everything for nothing

[@HighPeakAutos]

Yes that’s quite right

[@teddyirons8240]

Best rant I've heard on youtube for a while. Thanks for the entertainment!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Cheers

[@selfrighteous88]

@Matt, I love the shots of the countryside. This was very enjoyable. Do integrate these countryside shots in your videos, they are much appreciated.

[@adeyp3871]

Main dealer past my car for an mot . I was surprised because the discs were a bit rusty and one of the shocks was weeping, at least they didn’t change it for the sake of it. Good video Matt very informative.

[@markthompson50]

It seems to be a trait of tradesmen in generaI in my experience. I run scared of these sort of people. Fortunately I've got a great one man band mechanic local to me called Darren who I have used for 7 years now & is as honest as the day is long & doesn't charge through the nose for jobs either. What a diamond! 💎

[@thelifeandtimesofteddywint5396]

I think the trouble is that a lot of customers don't get the work done or whine and moan at them and try to haggle prices. So they are already preparing themselves for rejection.

[@R04drunner1]

Same thought occurred to me. Think you're right. It's the self preservation society. Also they use reverse psychology. Say it's a big problem, then when it turns out the problem is small they look like a hero, the customer is relieved and pays up without a quibble. I have to say, the guy I use is honest, very capable and quite willing to save me money. In fact, before I bought my current car I rang him up to check he would be OK to work on it!

[@dastardlyexperiments]

Fantastic and therapeutic too. A certain Honda main dealer in South Manchester, fitted a new Camchain and tensioner to my CBR600, and lo and behold booking it in for it's next oil change sooner than needed, was told "ooh dear, could really due with a new cam chain"..... The Reason I use SPR is before I knew them I went to the Merc Main dealer for a report on my first ever CLK, they gave me a 4 page report for £4000 pounds of work, SPR did the lot for £ 80... So true Matt, so true.. Don't get me started on bad treatment having bodywork done ..

[@isctony]

This was a proper level headed rant, loved every minute of it! haha. and you speak the absolute truth

[@lesleyfernandez636]

You never fail to entertain, Matt!

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thanks!

[@glitchjob4555]

City n Guilds, bang on

[@daystatesniper01]

This is the best video you have done Matt and 100% true in many aspects ,this is why i do 90% of work on my car myself and if it needs something beyond my capabilities i use a trusted family business that's been going for 50 years

[@ChopsGarage]

JUST HAD EXACTLY THIS ON MY CHANNEL!! My subscribers told me I had to come watch your vid! 10yr old Fiat 500, customer messaging me kicking off after rip to HIQ due to a £600 MOT quote for a £30 shock absorber!! You nailed it! And this immense pleasure at giving bad news, whats that all about!!

[@MudMaxMetalDetecting]

That was funny ! My mechanic is an old school mate with a heart of gold. My dad (RIP) had a flat tyre, the mechanic lived up the road. Dad popped up to find out when he was open as he needed the car to travel for kidney dialysis over the holidays. The garage was closed up for the holidays, and it was late afternoon Christmas Eve. Without hesitation he towed my dad to the garage, opened up, and sorted the tyre, and charged the usual rate. I never go anywhere else. ATB MMMD

[@ifanbates]

You do a great Black Country accent (I lived in Stourbridge for a long time!)

[@HighPeakAutos]

😂 Cheers

[@nickbitten6037]

Brilliant video Matt and so true.My wife had the " Kwik Fit treatment" on her Sierra once- just had full service / Mot and they said it needed a shed load of work ( only went in for a nail in the o/s front tyre. Needless to say they got short shrift. Keep up the great vids.

[@wraithconscience]

Hi Matt, Fantastic video! All buyers should watch this video three times before buying. And it is not just that you have a positive attitude, which you do, which all your viewers notice and appreciate and respect, I argue that your positivity comes from a fundamental sense of responsibility. You take responsibility, and that gives value to your customers. Those embittered mechanics suffer from "responsibility - itis", a dread disease that has taken over the world. When looking for a mechanic for my future classic, I experienced that very same. It's disgusting. (Now, I drive by them with the top down and smile.) But I'm glad of it. I dumped them from the start and now give my business to a fantastic mechanic, who appreciates that I research problems before I bring the car in. When I know something just has to be done, I don't quibble. I ask alot of questions, surely, but I don't quibble. Oh yes, and his daughter's new pony is lovely!

[@panz3r696]

the whole reason you join decent owners clubs or forums and sus out who the decent mechanics are, sadly that then means waiting list and travelling further but its worth it in the end, my local Landrover "Specialist" i wont ever use again, i drive over 2 hours away to a guy i can actually trust and rely on, a sad state of affairs really

[@brunofatela9093]

I have sent my Touran to be scrapped after a massive list of "needs to be replaced" given to me by Halfords after spending almost £2k in a private mechanic 2 months earlier that told me all was well besides what I had fixed. In Halfords list was almost passing that number when I stopped the guy and told him that is not worthy of the time or the trouble/money because it was already more than the car was worth and I was already enough of it. So I sold it to a scrap yard. Now, after watching this episode, my feeling about many of the mechanics I dealt with is unfortunately confirmed. Considering that they are so well paid for what they do, I don't understand why so many of them behave and work like this... now I don't know if it was a the best call to scrap it, now is done :/ Thank you for the great videos.

[@sdmotors5105]

Spot on Matt ! Everything you have said is perfect I thought it was only myself who thought this ! Topman

[@michaelcampbell4503]

Its a 10 year old Insignia not a Saturn V rocket!!!! Love it. So many great stories in this video Matt! Still car radio installers make mechanics look the the world's greatest optimists. 8 months since I bought a period Blaupunkt for my 1990 Bentley, still can't get a sparky to install it even though it was the OEM radio set originally fitted to that model year...

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Mechanic = Marvin the paranoid android with Noddy Holder's voice. It seems pretty accurate to me.

[@Steven-qi4gm]

Also everyone presumes the mechanic is trying to rip them off, so when they have to phone a customer with an increased bill they must be dreading the reaction most of the time.

[@jackj0nes]

I suspect this too - they must get their heads bitten off so many times that they have to prepare the customer beforehand by making it sound really bad and hard work. That way the perfectly acceptable £200 (or £16 😂 Matt had me going at this point) bill doesn't seem so bad!

[@Pablo-bp3dq]

Yes Matt! You’re spot on mate! I was only speaking to my wife about this last night! I also find they start off great when they want your business and then the rot sets in and they revert to type! Love comment about it must be taught at college!!!

[@user-qu4fj5cj2m]

Bloody hell, the 'GET ON WITH IT' at 9:58 really got me hahaha - totally understand the frustration

[@mikespenceley9180]

Couldn’t agree more, after 50 years in the trade I’ve never met one I’d have a beer with!

[@DunSlapMeh]

Took mine to Halfords for 4 new tyres, ticked in free check, they've not done any checks and skipped on the alignment I've paid as well half a year later when I needed pair of new tires they offered to do another alignment "for free" cheers I rather take it elsewhere this time, when the new tyres are shot. I was doing brakes following weekend as one of front calipers were seized, which a rusty disc rings no alarm bells and oil dripping was fine too, just assumed they skip those "checks"... That was a few years ago and every centre is different but I'll make a pass on Halfords, local kwikfit was quite friendly and actually did alignment as well which was nice... Hourly rates are silly too locally considering bodges I've seen... Invested in some spanners and just go tackle repairs myself on free weekend at least I know everything that was there is still there and nobody forgot the under tray... To add if you do have a trusted mechanic who knows their stuff and doesn't charge arm and a leg, get them a bottle, they deserve it in current market.

[@modmod392]

That’s why they are known as Halfrauds

[@nicholasholland-smith1324]

Watching this and you driving the S class reminds me of when I bought an S350 a couple of years ago and the rear suspension failed within a week of owning the car. I had it on finance and returned it within the time allowed. Seeing you drive yours, makes me wish I hadn't as it had everything on it a dream car for me, but I was annoyed at the time with the dealer and the major fault. I love cars and I have recently bought a LTI TX1 in Poland blind it ran and drove, but later discovered the head was cracked and the engine had to be replaced and loads of other parts, I have not quibbled at all as I know what I bought and it is my responsibility. I have a great relationship with my mechanic and I never question the bill!!!

[@diezeldim27]

I completely agree with you, Matt. It must be frustrating dealing with them on a daily basis. After going to "Halfrauds" for the first and last time, I try to do my own maintenance as much as I can. Dirty hands but a lot less frustration.

[@jaromor8808]

1st af _at this point i am pretty much in charge of this comment section_

[@HighPeakAutos]

Haha yes

[@rickyg1247]

Not just mechanics, - also plumbers, electricians, builders etc. Should be a city and guilds module "How not to piss people off". I think in reality they have so many people moan at them when they add £2.50 to the bill for some necessary part that they hate talking to customers!!!

[@davidstuart4915]

yeah, basically jumped up little @@@@ who enjoy their moments of power over others - 'job satisfaction'.....

[@rickyg1247]

To be fair - I suspect many of these tradespeople are very good practical engineers and good at what they do but often that goes along with not being very good with people. The reverse is also true - the fun, chatty, happy ones can be crap at the job!!!

[@rickyg1247]

And I include myself in that - I trained as an engineer but hated my years in retail - having to talk to customers who are mostly a PITA😁

[@steve323f]

Knowledge and common sense are needed when buying a car. But that crystal ball we all need doesn't exist. We all have horror stories of buying used cars, but you are genuine and show and share your experiences which I hope help people realise that it's not all doom and gloom. 👍

[@dtaylor9673]

Perfect description of many mechanics I have met!

[@p3tk0]

My dad is a mechanic with his own garage and.. this is like 99% true about him and his coworkers. Well, he is at least not the most grumpy and negative one there 😁

[@HighPeakAutos]

Haha that’s ok then

[@cartman668222]

There’s not many true mechanics around now just lots of fitters🤨wish I was still in the job.

[@HighPeakAutos]

That’s the thing. I should’ve mentioned that in the video. Nobody wants to fix anything anymore. They just want to fit new parts

[@cartman668222]

High Peak Autos is old school fix anything guys have all retired all you get now are plug in a laptop and look it up on google mechanics my local place won’t even do head gaskets now🤪

[@HighPeakAutos]

Thats right. Things have changed

[@cartman668222]

High Peak Autos I miss the challenge but not the cold concrete 😂😇

[@leakygussett4153]

@@HighPeakAutos Struggle to get a focus wheel bearing as mechanics say "ohhh there messing about them ones they have to be pressed in" leaving me to think well get pressing then you negative bastard I dont care about the semantics just do your job for fuck sake

[@chucksnothereman]

Great summary. I had a great mechanic who would have all the old parts in a box when you picked up the car. He'd show why it was worn etc and you could take them or bin them. Last mechanic quoted me a motza for lower control arms, I was dubious, replaced them myself, old ones were fine. Everyone has a mechanic story.

[@cliffcrabtree4359]

Great vid Matt. I think I'm lucky my local garage are spot on, they will just whack in a part if needed without having to call. Price for labour is good too.