SERVICE COST WOES

I have been reading CAR for more years than I care to remember. I am now 68 and no longer subscribe to the magazine as I cannot trust the SA postal services to deliver on time or at all. I no longer have a post box for the same reason so I buy my favourite and only magazine from Checkers at full face value, well worth it!

I wanted to write to the magazine about rip-off artists masquerading as car service agents who take advantage of what they perceive to be gullible single females who bring their car in for service. My wife has a Kia Rio which she bought new in 2013. The service plan has lapsed and the car has only 66 000 km as she is a retired teacher and does not travel great distances. However, the car’s computer reminded her it needed an oil change so she diligently took it to Hillfox Autotronics in Gauteng, the local Bosch Service Agent.

When I saw the bill, I was horrified and phoned to complain. All that was done was an oil change with an oil filter replacement. The bill of

R2 523.95 was paid but what I object to is the cost of oil; 3,6 litres at R180 per litre, a total of R648. The labour came to R900.

In future, I will do the job myself. I can buy five litres of oil for R180, keep the left-over oil and change the plugs and air filter and I guarantee I will have at least R1 000 change in my pocket afterwards.

Interestingly, Morné, the frontline service agent, asked me not to write to CAR as he was already in enough trouble. Is this the way this nationwide franchise operates in SA? Let the customer beware!

CHARLES WILLIAM HUNTER Via email