Thanks Griff this helps a lot. They couldn't check my spare tyre as boot was full What? im new to this

I think i'll just book it in at a local place for a saturday then, if they'll do it.

Thing is-the prices you were quoted would have been genuine Ford (or rather Motorkraft which is their trade name for genuine parts) which are kinda expensive.

Your car can be serviced at any reputable garage and any parts which are needed would be bought from a motorfactor (like a Halfords,but trade only and cheaper).

ps.Most brake discs are 'lipped',but its only when the discs are too thin,warped,deeply scored or cracked that they are replaced.Discs for a normal non high performance Escort should cost around £40 for the pair with an additional £20 for new brake pads.Labour wise-about an 1 1/2 hrs to complete the job.

Well i've phoned up a different garage now, Can get full service for £119, which i was sort of expecting to pay first time round .

And they cant quote the price of fixing brakes without seeing the car. I may just go down there at lunchtime and explain my situation to them, not that they'd care, but they might be a bit nicer to me?

OK on a slightly happier note, my OH has agreed to do it tomorrow night (with his mate who was a mechanic). So buying brakes, discs, spark plugs, air filter etc tomorrow and doing it ourselves!

Total cost = £60(ish) AND i dont have to pay till next month. Weyhay!!!

Talk to other people and try and get a recommendation. Ask others where they get their cars serviced, and are they happy with the work done.

I recently had to take my car to someone I hadn't used before and it worried me sick. They did an MOT and a full service - cost me £156, and they hadn't done my bill when I went to pick up my car - they told me just to drop it in when I had time!!!! I went there on recommendation of my sister-in-law, they service her SAAB regularly and she has never had any problems.

If you go on someone elses recommendation - tell them so at the garage, most places rely on good reputations.

Good Luck

Good for you! I'm peeved when they quote me that much at an MOT .. for a service I think I'd laugh in their face! yes brake discs are always lipped, Some Ford indicators have the orange painted on the bulb.not an orange lens..and it peels off over time, so new bulbs is all you need..discs and pads are easy enough to do if you don't mind getting your hands dirty! but I would try to find out why the caliper is seized? use your spare wheel if the front one is illegal.. there is a big difference between low and illegal.. why did they need access to the boot for a service? I know in the MOT they like the boot empty but thats for structural checks? and NO they will not lift out anything.. not even a pushchair!:smt047 It sounds like they were trying it on...
Rachel

I have been for three service's with main dealer.Vauxhall. Don't Rate them as a garage but was part of the deal with the car. They didn't find anything wrong with the car but they always forgot to stamp book. I would go to the garage and request that the book is stamped. The service it for basic checks and of cource let you know areas that are starting to show signs of ware and tare or need attention. Therefore this would not prevent them from stamping the book. Just because you have had a service doesn't mean that you have to have work carried out by them.

If you get any probs just e mail/contact Ford customer services.

I would take it somewhere else it seems you are being over charged

I took our 02 vectra in for a reapir (kenny had burst sump! being stupid!!!) and took it to vauxhall who were gonna do the timeing belt change at the same time...only booked there cause our normal garage could not fit it in...(first time ever but they were busy).......Vauxhall did repair and timing belt service etc bill £554.19...bloody hell nearly needed resusitating!...and then they told me that all the bushes were worn on the suspension and the recommended that i get it done asap!, they could do it, and as I had just had the timing belt and sump repaired they would do me a deal and it would only be £400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......yeah right!.......I just said no thanks and walked away.

I phone our usuall garage and explained what they had said and they asked me to bring the car down at the end of the week and they would have a look at it.........they called me about an hour after I dropped the car off and told me there was very little wear to the bushes and it would pass an mot nae problem!.......

Was it because I was female!!!!....i dont know but I will not go back to vauxhall ever again for anything!!!!!!!!!!

luckily for me my OH 's freind has his own garage so I know we dont get ripped off with car repairs - would hate to have to find a local garage. I even hate going to get new tyres or puncture repaired as you never know if ur tyres are actually illegal or whether they just want to sell you new ones !!