Work undertaken without prior authorisation!

[John Barrett]

My 2005 997 S Cabrio failed the MOT last week on emissions: the previous owner had it remapped upwards last year so that might have had something to do with it. I was directed to a Porsche specialist in Southampton who agreed to look at it and hopefully fix it. The MOT tester was sure that the problem could be adjusted out at relatively low cost. Here is the transcript of my subsequent email to the MOT tester.

Hello XXX
I must give you some feedback regarding my visit to XXXXX today.

1. When I arrived XXXXX told me that he would ring me following fault diagnosis. I suggested that he could work up to £250 but he assured me that he would ring first.
2. I got a phone call before lunch stating that he had spent two hours on the car, and had reverted the software to Porsche 911 Carrera S spec: this without reference to me.
3. The emissions problem is fixed.
4. The bill would be £456.00…

I collected the car, paid the money, and when I suggested to him that I was led to believe that he could have adjusted it without all this expense he just shrugged and said " It’s software”. Needless to say I’m not very happy and I will go elsewhere for any specialist work next time.

My friendly MOT tester, a respected quality car dealer in the area from whom I have purchased three cars over the years, contacted said specialist and got a tale of woe about Porsche licensing costs, but no apology for doing the work without prior authorisation. If you send me an email I'll tell who it was...
John
Hamble

 

[JCX]

2 hours? £450+?? OMG.

 

[terry993]

Suggest you speak to trading standards

 

[Lancerlot]

I think we've all suffered at one time or another for the love of our cars and in the school of hard knocks, there are worst things that can happen.

Life is much too short for bitterness and resentment and I suggest you put in it down to experience, resolve never to be caught out again and enjoy driving your newly MOT'd car. []
Regards,
Clive

 

[Gordon Attar]

Disgraceful, all proper specialists have the same £10k kit and pay a annual licence fee and don't charge extra.

Should only be 2 hours labour.

Please pm me their name

 

[John Barrett]

Apparently he downloaded a Porsche Autologic Upgrade to fix it: it removed the performance remap altogether and my car is now standard 'S'. If that was necessary then OK, but he did it without asking first or explaining the consequences. I'll let it lie now and just enjoy the car, especially when I take it down to Spain for the winter!
John

 

[STiG911]

I wouldn't let it lie at all. They still did the work without your consent, plus, who's to say that the software bodge hasn't actually covered up a more serious problem - was the car interogated with PIWIS first to confirm? Was the MOT Tester even qualified to make that decision and perform the work?
Hmm.

 

[angusc]

Hi John,

You didn't mention the mileage of your car but from my own experience driving to Portugal, just check when the water pump was changed and the Water pump serpentine belt. My water pump pulley shared off just before I got to Portugal at 75K miles. It's a good idea to do some preventative maintenance and checks before you depart UK.

 

[John Barrett]

Good advice. The car has done only 63k, appears sound as a bell, and all belts were changed last year. I'm looking forward to the drive!

 

[John Barrett]

I wouldn't let it lie at all. They still did the work without your consent, plus, who's to say that the software bodge hasn't actually covered up a more serious problem - was the car interogated with PIWIS first to confirm? Was the MOT Tester even qualified to make that decision and perform the work?
Hmm.

I understand and can fix old fashioned engines, but not this electronic business! I would have to employ another 'expert' to dispute what was done, and embark on an expensive road to little return. Best I can do is use IGS or Broadspeed instead! I suspect that Peter Nash Cars may go that route too...
John
BTW an 'Ex' is a has been, and a 'spert' is a drip under pressure!

 

[Alan Gammon]

There is too much of this cynical, ripping off owners, what ever the make of vehicle.
Please advise the name of this establishment, so that I for one can avoid it.

Many thanks,

 

[John Barrett]

There is too much of this cynical, ripping off owners, what ever the make of vehicle.
Please advise the name of this establishment, so that I for one can avoid it.

Many thanks,

PM sent

 

[John Barrett]

An update. I wrote to the establishment giving them the opportunity to refund half the bill, an amount that I thought reasonable as the emissions problem had been fixed. I received a letter telling me what a wonderful job that they had done but no apology for stinging me for £460 without prior authorisation. A word of advice: remember to get an estimate before you ask ***** ********* to undertake any work...
John

Edited to comply with Forum rules