Servicing Stop

I booked my car in for full service with a "prepaid" quote of £170. It was discounted by 25% if I paid upfront, I was not told at any point that extra charges would apply, the pick up was very punctual, but things went downhill from there, I received a call from SS stating that my vehicle needed special oil and the old oil flushing out, and that a number of other filters needed replacing, I was then told the quote was over £400, I was not impressed and a very reluctant conversation took place, I eventually agreed to them charging me an extra £30 for the oil, what did I pay the £170 for? The vehicle was returned with no issues… This is the first and last time I use SS as they should be transparent from the start based on your vehicle make, model age mileage about the cost of a service, they should be able to quote this in the original enquiry and not when they have the vehicle in the garage!

What a joke just paid over £780.85 for service and mot, Front break pads replacing which did not need doing and a light bulb changing. I had already paid £103 up front for a deal 40% off Mot and Service and 25% if I paid up front. Giving a grand total of £ £883.85.
I had the work done because I thought he said it would be an extra 60 something pounds.
When I tried to pay, it was an extra £780.85.They put £20 vat on every item regardless of cost. Please be careful. Its all about money, not what actually needs done on your car.
They had sent me a text message. I texted back to ask them to call me as it was too much money.
I then emailed, no reply. I then went onto there messaging service. They said could not get hold of garage and an advisor would call me shortly. No-one called.
Frantic with worry I finally paid, because I needed my car back.
Have wrote a formal complaint on email.

Date of experience: 20 December

Beware, their quote online does not include hidden charges and when you try to pay, the hidden charges are then listed. They do not provide Customer Service by phone but only via email and online chat which is not for purpose. List of work they suggested does not required to be done because the MOT done a month ago did not pick up such defects and cost of repair is sky high. So, void this company as they not fit for purpose.

Very dodgy business practices - advertised low prices quickly multiplies with disgustingly over priced extras that the garage hasn't even suggested need doing. (the garage told me so) Have spent over 3 months trying to get my complaint escalated - they don't follow their own complaints process listed on their website and they're not affiliated with ADRgroup for escalated complaints (I contacted ADRgroup) as they also state on their website.

A few of us have started a facebook group to compile our very similar experiences and see how we bring this further together. Search for 'Servicing Stop LTD - Scam - Help".

These crooks are robbing unsuspecting people blind and they need investigated and stopped. They've also been paying people for reviews which is against trustpilot policy which trustpilot is now investigating. They offered me a discount to give one.

I put 5 star to warn people who think the 5 stars maybe genuine. There not.
Everyone gets ripped off, just look at the reviews.
While its being serviced you get a call from a London number telling you that you must have the brake fluid changed the engine flushed to clear the carbon build up? Oil has to be a 'special' oil etc etc. They want hundreds of pounds more with an underlying threat that you won't get your car back if it isn't done. Meanwhile the garage servicing the car have absolutely no idea what is going on.
It's daylight robbery and should be stopped.

I was quoted for a full service £150 all inclusive.
Then I received a call from the garage to change the £120
Change filter £85
Change break fluid £70. Etc
I was told £150 is for just to carry out checks on the vehicle.

Just used these guys today.
An hour late picking up then no contact all day. Got to 5pm, no sign of our car. Got very nervous by 6pm as still no contact and need car for work in the morning.
Office shuts at 6pm so no way to find out what was happening.
Reading reviews about scam traders, customers having to pay £100s extra to get their car back, not getting their car back for days and needing to call the police panicked us a bit.
The relief when our car pulled up outside at 8.45pm...! No extra costs, all fine.
Bottom line is that they really suck at communication.
Letting the customer know if their car isn't going to be returned on the day it was collected would be a basic courtesy and save a lot of customer angst. It's also in their customer t&cs... Not a scam trader in our experience. And value for money if you want a cheap mot&service (£89). But not sure we'd use them again given the other reviewers' experiences and the complete lack of communication today.

"Booked car in for its 1st service. Ford Puma, 20 months old, 17,000 miles. Collection went well, that's where it ends. Had a call from Gary Needham at Servicing Stop. He talks at a million miles an hour, telling me I needed air pollen filter, specialist low ash oil (NOT recommended for my petrol engine) full brake fluid flush (otherwise warranty would be invalidated-total lie and unnecessary for th the age of my car) and loads of other work for the service to be completed, totalling £500.
I refused the work, then motor mouth Gary became angry Gary, telling me I must have the brake fluid flushed or the service could not be completed. I reluctantly agreed and he sent an invoice. £156 for a brake fluid change, same service is advertised at Kwik Fit & Halfords for £49.99. I called back to query the massively inflated price, to be told that the work had already been completed and my car would not be returned until I paid. I asked to speak to a managed as Gary was being so aggressive. He told me all management were in a meeting until 5.30pm. I needed the car back so had no option but to pay up.
They brag on their website that Servicing Stop have appeared on Dragons Den, they don't tell you that they have also featured on Rip Off Britain, BBC Watchdog and had a scathing write up in The Guardian newspaper. I hope this bunch of rob dogs get shut down soon.
Beware of reviews on other sites that don't ask for proof of service, loads of fake 5* reviews that have exactly the same format.

This company took my money. My car was never collected. I've had no response from either texts or emails requesting the return of my money. Nothing! Scammers. Avoid at all costs. Reading reviews on Facebook I feel I got off lightly compared to some poor people

Absolute con. They trick the garage into thinking they'll be loads of work that can be upsold. They pay the garages a lot less than their normal hourly rate, then have the cheek to take a 17% admin fee. I'm suprised any of their "network of garages" are still in business. Their idea of a main service is an Oil change and 77 point check. That's a minor service at best. Please steer clear of these type of companies. Please go direct to your local garages, get recommendations by word of mouth. You are far less likely to get ripped off by a garage "having" to find other work just to make ends meet because another company is forcing them to.

Do not use this company! Wish I had read other reviews first. The quoted price will be the best around but then they will charge extra for required spec oil and any other extras they can get out of you eg brake fluid etc. These extras then cost double the price you can have them done at a dealership! Threatened with putting this down as a part service then! This is how they make their money, lesson learnt here, hope others read this review before being sucked in. To finish off car was returned really late in the day and was no way of contacting them for any information. Avoid!

Absolutely dreadful service!

I am writing this stranded on the wrong side of town because my car was picked up this morning for MOT and it hasn't been returned to me.

I honestly don't know what to do!

They only got one star because 0 isn't an option. Vehicle collected late causing delays to my working day. Massively overpriced repairs. (In fairness this is the second time I have been forced to use them and on both occasions bills have been several hundred pounds more than for every other service) Still waiting for vehicle to be returned. Been waiting hours for a response/ A shambolic rip off.

I cannot rate the service as they never even collected my car on the agreed date despite them sending numerous emails and texts promising to. Could not get through to customer service line so cancelled and made alternative arrangements. Still no contact from them two days later so I tried again. Thought I would beat the system by picking the option for premium customers, took 45 minutes to answer. Was promised a refund in the next five days but it took them seven to even process it then another five to come through. DO NOT USE. Only getting one star because I cannot give zero.

An intoxicated driver collect my jaguar for full service. Garage called and said it needed suspention parts? Two days after an mot I think not. Then when car was returned no water in washer bottle having emailed servicing stop customer service 3 times and no response turns out after a check at another Garage and the dash cam they forgot to turn of my car was not serviced never to be trusted.

Paid upfront for service and cancelled immediately after reading the negative reviews which have been correct in my experience. Cancelled on 17th September, now the 5th October and still haven't received a refund. They keep sending me the same copy/pasted response that the money will be back in my account in 7 days and I can't get through to them apart from that. If you're thinking of using them I would advise you not to take the risk.

Will take advantage if you are a female and influence you to agree to unnecessary work, then overcharge you. They are also untrustworthy and dishonest.

Do not under any circumstances use these people. Just go direct to a garage, as they are a third party company, who distribute jobs to garages in your area. In order for them to make a profit, they add unnecessary repairs to charge you extra, so it is financially worth their time sending the job out. I am speaking from a recent experience this month.

They scammed me with £450 for very minor repair that this price not match in the market and without my approval!
When I tried to cancel this repair, they just intended to ignore me.
I have raised a complaint 3 months ago and regardless of the enormous reminders, they failed to even look at my case and reach to a settlement. I kept chasing Michael Nathan but he just doesn't care!

They don't care about their customers, so irritating to deal with them. Definitely won't recommend to anyone. I am sure the positive reviews you see are paid and fake!

If I could give a minus star rating these would get it. Do yourself a favour and just use a local garage. The low cost advertised services are soon bumped up monumentally once they have your car hostage. You canntot speak to the actual garage and be prepared for at least an hour on hold to speak with your 'service advisor'. If you do one thing today, AVOID this service.