Im wondering if that $14.00 pedders suspension check up is any good..

Im scared im gonna walk in there and find out i need $1000 worth of s**t done.

So has any one been there is it any good?

ive heard of them refusing to give people back their cars after the checkup (dunno if its true), just when you go in, make sure you know what the hell your on about or they are likely to take you for a ride.

They've always given me my car back, even when I had a crap 76 golf with shot shocks and bushes rooted they gave it back, just warning me about how unsafe it is and gave me a quote on how much itd cost to fix. No obligation. I didnt end up fixing any of the problems and got rid of the car.

Don't go to pedders.

They said they would have to change the rack in my car for $600 when I TOLD them it was the tie rod inner, I even had the part they had to change all I wanted was a quote for fitting.

"Na na mate you can't change the inner, you need a new rack"

$600 bucks Vs $67

By law repairers are not allowed to give your car back if it isnt roadworthy, this includes any mechanical defect. If you have an accident after they have diagnosed that the car isnt roadworthy then they are liable for damages for not following thier care of duty. I know this law exists in NSW because they harped upon it at tech, however I believe that all the other states would follow a similar proceedure

That was one Pedders shop though .. not every Pedders workshop is run by the same person.

If you know of a Pedders that has a good reputation, by all means, take it to them and get it checked out ... it's pretty cheap to get it done as a "piece of mind" thing.

And if they refuse to give your car back ... you call the Police and have them arrested.

No workshop can refuse to give your car back (unless you owe them money) ... it's your car ... they can't confiscate it.

In an inspection .. the company/workshop will outline that there are unsafe issues with the car ... in doing so they have covered themselves in pointing out they have advised the customer of problems.

IT IS UP TO THE CUSTOMER TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY CONTIUNE WITH GETTING REPAIRS DONE.

i agree with Mechan1k.

Any workshop will cover it's a*** once they have told you that the car is not roadworthy and in such cases i will expect they will always give you a written report to document such advice. They have no legal right to refuse you your car or even insist it is towed away.

I am sure some on this site have had experiance with yellow canaries and would be able to elaborate on whether driving unroadworthy cars is allowed or not. As i understand, in most cases, the police let you drive unroadworthy cars to a place of repair (which can be your home) - only in rare situations would they not allow you to drive the car away and insist on having it towed.

Now back on topic, some operators of pedders workshops are very good while others may not be. My experiance has been very positive as they have fully explained what was wrong and how it can be fixed and at what cost.

In reality, if your car drives like a boat, then your shocks and some bushes have seen much better days and changing these is not like a hundred bucks or so. Pedders may not be trying to rip you off if the bill is large but in anycase always get more than one checkup and quote - if they agree with what is wrong, thats always a better starting point

Cheers, Itchione

Good advise ... go to a couple of places and see if the information that both places give are correct.

when i had my XF (R.I.P)...

i had an inspection done, i already knew it wasnt in the best condition, but i got given it for nothing as my first car, so meh...the concensus was...

3 warped rotors, split brake line, head gasket on its way out, diff on its way out, auto transmission on its way out, vacuum leak, power steering lines decayed, leaking coolant from the engine block (from unspecified location), battery not secured, suspension shot on all four wheels... as well as some other stuff that i cant remember

they told me that the car wouldnt even come close to passing a government inspection, and beyond it being defectable it was highly dangerous to drive, and essentially said if i kept driving it, it was my coffin on wheels...

but they didnt try and stop me from taking it, they just kept telling me to get rid of it...

it lasted a few more months before it died on account of head gasket.

i went there and i left with a $2500 quote...i laughed at the d**k heads...They wont refuse to give you your car back - they just make u sign a disclaimer saying its your choice to drive the car with the knowledge of the condition its in and theyre not liable if sumthing happens....Its good just to see wat needs doin , but i had a tiny bit of play in my steering wheel and they said i needed a new steering rack - once again i laughed.....

perhaps try other places like kmart, etc. most would give good reports