Be very careful for anything but a simple oil change

Really didn't want to write this review, after several years of supporting and using Autoworks as a loyal customer. I now have a pretty good insight into how they work and make money - and why this isn't a garage for anything more than your annual oil change on a new car.

FYI: I raised all of these concerns with the branch manager directly and in private, who dismissed the majority of them and refused to reply to a subsequent email.

So here goes:

My car returned from its most recent service with grease-stained seats. The response? Bring it back and we'll clean it. At my own time and expense. Why was the car release with these stains? No answer to this question.

I faced an issue with an ABS light. As with every other time I've gone, the response: We'll run diagnostics at your cost ("Because we rent the machine and need to make money back"). After diagnostics: We have no clue what's wrong, sorry. It's happened at least twice like this. This time, I suggested they Google the problem (which I've previously done), which they did to seemingly solve the problem. I have no car experience, you're a German car specialist. Why do you rely on me to help diagnose a problem?

Requested insight into a faulty lights-on noise. There was no mention of this on collection. When I raised it, they said: it was working when we checked. Bring it back when it's not working. No answer to my query about what diagnostics they perform. Perhaps a Google would've helped, again?

A wing mirror replacement was quoted with a 200% parts markup. The response: We're a business and we need to make money. The product you sourced is poor quality (it was new, from a reputable parts company). No response on what product they sourced or its markup.

I was told a vacuum pipe needed to be replaced in a "quick and easy job". When I went to fetch my car, they were still waiting for a quote. Two weeks later, after prompting, the quote arrived - with no apology or explanation. And I'd now have to return at my own time and expense.

The business model here is clear: Lure customers in for an oil change, call them with a laundry list of errors, charge for each with high parts markups. Ask any customer who's ever been there, or read some of the reviews here. Anything out of the ordinary or that requires a bit of lateral thinking doesn't count.

It really is a pity, because I've used Autoworks branches for years, and much of the staff is lovely. But not one of these concerns received a followup or apology, and when you're spending R3k for a service, that's the least I'd expect.