So here's my review.
Brought my girlfriends car into M & D because it needed inspection and wanted an oil change. I was trying to do her a favor and get it done on my day off while she was at work.
Went to the front desk and spoke with receptionist. I asked how much do you charge for inspection and emissions test? Answer: Well let me look it up, i'm sure we charge what everyone else does. First red flag.
Left car and get a call saying they need to talk immediately before any further adjustments. Call back and diagnosis is:,
2 lights, e-brake fails, and 2 tires don't pass.
I said weird, e-brake always worked when used before but ok, Well can you figure out if adjustment needed or something more serious....
Call back from receptionist and said just an adjustment needed... said obviously do that.
GF then picks up car with bill of $182.45. She got an oil change, 2 lights for $2.98, an emission test and inspection, and labor for $152.08. Really... it takes 2 hours to do a car inspection? Just wondering, when I came early to the shop why did the mechanic take the car for a 10 minute ride just prior to 5 o'clock closing time? Is that part of the inspection process?
Oh.. regarding e-brake pass/fail. This is what PA inspection code calls for... (could be outdated but the intent of an e-brake remains the same)
(1) A parking brake system shall be adequate to hold the vehicle on a surface free from ice or snow on a 20% grade with the vehicle in neutral.
(2) The parking brakes shall be separately actuated so that failure of any part of the service brake actuation system will not diminish the vehicle's parking brake holding capability.
YOU DO NOT TORQUE AN ENGINE TO WHATEVER RPM AND THEN IF CAR MOVES WITH EBRAKE ON FAIL A CAR. THAT IS A TEST THAT HOLDS NO WATER ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR I BROUGHT IN HAD A V8 ENGINE.
Your receptionist was very condescending, in my opinion, when I was saying an e-brake problem seemed very strange. Never failed for e-brake in the history of my driving, my sisters driving, my parents driving, or any friends driving. Nobody fails for an e-brake period.
Car passes everything except 2 low tires (after this much needed e-brake adjustment according to receptionist) and I said I will research some tires and order them after I do and bring back to get sticker.
Do so and receptionist calls again on second visit saying I ordered tires that were not recommended by manufacturer. Her exact words on my second receipt...
"Customer was told that tires he supplied are different size than what car specifications call for. Mounted and balanced anyway per customers request."
Here are the specs for tires on my car...
Laredo Standard Model1. 225/75R16
2. 245/70R16
Laredo With TPMS1. 225/75R16
2. 245/70R16
https://tiresize.com/tires/Jeep/Grand-Cherokee/
ms. Amber... you told me spec tires were 225/75R per sticker on wheel well and I told you 245/70R is perfectly fine for the car and per specifications...
uggh.. so now the receptionist is a know it all and now on second visit I'm waiting 2 hours for 2 tires to be put on a rim.
Finally, 2 tires are put on rim and put on car and i'm ready for take off.
Go to pay and receptionist charges me another inspection fee. I said what in the world are you charging me another inspection fee? I said absolutely not and behind a nearby door was the owner Mike listening...
... He came "exploding" out the door and ranting and raving about how they do everything by the book and another inspection fee is required. I said you know what Mike, your e-brake test is total bullshit as well. This was a heated exchange and he brought out some outdated inspection code book which said a car in e-brake should be able to stop forward and backwards motion.
NO SHIT MIKE... BUT YOU DON'T TORQUE A V8 ENGINE TO DETERMINE THAT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS MOTION.
Looks like i'm right... you put it on a hill if you do the test at all.
After heated argument the double inspection fee was waived and I paid only to realize they put my new tires on the front when I specifically asked for them to put on the back.
In summary... I found all the receptionists secretly obnoxious, do not ask them what anything will cost, their behavior is birthed by the owner's behavior, and I've met people like this in mechanic shops many times, so it's nothing new.
Visit www.moonlightmechanics.com and put all these problems behind you. read more