RWC Issues With 2004 Hyundai Elantra. Mechanic Trying to Cheat?

[Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 22:49
Last edited 13/12/2017 - 01:19 by 1 other user

sorry for the long post

Hi there,
Hope you are having a good day. Merry Christmas and happy New Year in advance. Thank you taking time to listen to my story.

So, i was trying to sell an 2004 Hyundai Elantra for $2750 with a year rego and wanted to see how much it will cost me to get a RWC.

I went to a mechanic where I did a prior repair and he did an okay job and I wanted to do the RWC with him. So, I called the shop and asked and they said, "yes, they do RWC". They charged $150.

I booked an inspection and they gave me a list of things that needs to be fixed, but not a pinkslip (I didnt know about pinkslip until yesterday). A list of things on their letter head. (No quote amount was given until 5 days later for about $1020).

Meanwhile, I shopped around for a better quote and managed to do it for $650 and used second hand parts.

One of the jobs were headlights to be polished, which was done including almost 5 other jobs.

But when I returned the car to do 2nd inspection, they drove my car away without telling me. I thought they are checking by test driving it. They came back saying, evreything is good but, headlights needs a restoration kit done ($150) and a new engine oil leak ($120) which was not on the first inspection.

I told him, it was not there in the first inspection. He said, yeah, no, it was not there. But now they are very strict and this need to be done. I refused and said I dont want to spend anymore on this car.

Next day morning, I asked, where is the pink slip and he said, give us 10 mins, the guy will come and take pictures.
Few mins later, they driving my car out again. I asked them to stop the car and take me where ever they are going with my car for RWC.

They said, they are sharing the licences with other workshop because their directors are joining and he also showed me his ID card from Federation Uni where he did his course for RWC inspection. They dont have a licence number at their shop.

They took the car to another workshop where they checked the car for RWC and gave me a pink slip with another list of things to be done and a quote of another $800.

These things are on top of the things from the 1st inspection list expect the headlight restoration.

If I were to know that i have to spend $650 + $800 on the car, I would have given the car to wreckers and get over it.

I feel like I was cheated,

  1. Did not let me know that they don't have a licence at their shop
  2. They didn't tell me that they were taking my car somewhere else for RWC.
  3. Had to spend $650 which is not good enough for RWC and feels like its a waste of money.
  4. They added more things to be fixed from the first inspection.

What should do now? Can i try to get my money back? What's the best option now?
should call vicroads?

Automotive

Comments

  • poboy on 12/12/2017 - 23:04
    +8

    Geez that sucks. I have no advice, only my sympathy.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:08

      Thank you for that. Needed some sympathy today :(

  • PVA on 12/12/2017 - 23:12

    Crooks.
    Cut you loss and go to a different place for inspection.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:46

      then wouldn't i have to start again and pay another $150 and who knows what else they r going to tell me to fix :(

  • skinner on 12/12/2017 - 23:24

    I would recommend getting someone who solely does RWC checks, rather than going to a mechanic. I had a pretty good experience about two years ago with a mobile RWC guy, came out to my work during the day and took the car for maybe 20mins. Had a few things that needed to be fixed (random stuff like a broken bracket etc) and took a few mins to show me as well. I would say if they're not associated with a mechanic all they would care about is doing a good job to keep their inspection licence, rather than trying to upsell you with every fault imaginable.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:48

    Is the car sold? The RWC is only valid for 30 days isn't it??

    • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:50

      it is not sold yet, since i did the first inspection , i thought i might fix it in 7 days anyway to avoid another 150$ for inspection.
      i was pretty sure my car will be sold soon, as my car was very reasonably priced .

      yes, rwc is only valid for 30 days

      • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:55
        +1

        Might have been better selling on Gumtree for $900 without reg or RWC. Cashing in on your rego and moving on.

        But since the work has been done then might as well continue with sale and recover some money back.

        The $150 fee is generally used as a guide (for older cars) to identify which direction to proceed with the sale.

        You get my sympathy as well. Yes, your username checks out.

        • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2017 - 23:59
          +1

          that was the point. would have done that actually of they gave me 1500$ quote in the first place!
          now i am waiting for a buyer to turn up, if he/she pays, i ll go ahead i hope.

          thanks for the sympathy and your opinion.

          but I dont want to check out your username :D Just Kidding

  • Ocker on 13/12/2017 - 08:19

    Go to Autobarn or Supercheap Auto and buy your own headlight polishing kit for about $50

    • [Deactivated] on 13/12/2017 - 11:16

      Any brands u recommend?

      • Oz8argain on 13/12/2017 - 11:30
        +1

        theres a youtube video by Chrisfix, just watch it, it should be easy and cheap

        • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2017 - 08:35

          Will check tht out . Thanks :)

    • Euphemistic on 14/12/2017 - 08:47

      If it only needs to last until the inspection is passed, just use some car polish or even tooth paste. Cost next to nothing, but it probably wont last very long.

  • Bargainaholic on 13/12/2017 - 12:33

    Iv'e seen a few videos on Facebook Pages about these headlight restore wipes

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Headlight-Restore-Wipes-Australi…

    Surely if you pay through Paypal and it doesn't work, you can get your $20 back.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2017 - 08:34

      I might give that a try.. yeah.

  • bob smith on 13/12/2017 - 14:10

    what is a pink slip in Victoria? I thought you just needed a road worthy certificate?

    • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2017 - 08:33

      Pink slip is the copy of the rwc. But given to the car presenter at first inspection. Its not completed or valid until everything has been fixed and given a green one.
      Green is the original certificate and a white copy is for the rwc mechanic to keep :)

  • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2017 - 20:55

    got pair of headlight for 72$ from wreckers and passed rwc

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