1 reviews | Active since Aug 2025
Unsafe Repairs and Dishonest Practices
(NB: The 1-star rating is for posting purposes only, HelloPeter doesn't seem to have an incompetency rating, they would have scored a full 5 stars in that regard).
On 5 Aug 2025 my car slowed on the highway. Tow truck towed it to Help24 Gearbox & Diff/Flora Auto Clinic (Constantia Kloof). Initial quote was R10,475.90 incl. VAT with a 50% deposit: strip-to-quote coolant system (R3,043.48), admin (R350), thermostat housing complete (R1,560), waterpump (R1,592), antifreeze (R40), labour (R2,040), workshop consumables (R280). I said the price was steep; second quote came to R9,185.60 incl. VAT. I then requested a full service; third quote was R11,358.55 incl. VAT (same items plus further diagnosis, spark plugs, oil filter, air filter, engine oil, and additional labour).
They said the car was ready on 8 Aug; I collected it on 12 Aug. On 21 Aug, steam came from under the bonnet—drove to a petrol station and the attendant confirmed the antifreeze tank was empty. I asked the workshop for a pressure test to confirm the presence of any potential leaks and returned to their premises on 22 Aug. Help24 Gearbox & Diff/Flora Auto Clinic then said the radiator cap seal was worn (never mentioned initially) and told me to buy a new cap at Mica Foxhill because they would charge me a markup on the radiator cap and labour.
On 26 Aug I noticed oil leaks. On 27 Aug I returned; managers wouldn’t engage and hid behind service advisors. After two hours I was told the tappet gasket was leaking—missed during their service—and they refused to fix it, wanting to charge R1,500/hour labour and R2,500 for a new tappet.
Poor workmanship, inadequate inspection, safety lapses, and blame-shifting. Avoid them if you value your life, they lack integrity and utilize ********* business practices.
However your reply raises further concerns:
1. You state that the radiator cap was only identified as faulty when I returned. During the service, the antifreeze was physically poured into the coolant system. A worn seal would have been visible at that stage, and not reporting it appears inconsistent with your stated commitment to safety and transparency.
2. You replaced the engine oil. The presence of oil on the manifold from a leaking tappet cover gasket should reasonably have been noted at that time. Reporting it only after my return does not align with your claim of providing thorough and honest service.
I therefore stand by my review as accurate.
However your reply raises further concerns:
1. You state that the radiator cap was only identified as faulty when I returned. During the service, the antifreeze was physically poured into the coolant system. A worn seal would have been visible at that stage, and not reporting it appears inconsistent with your stated commitment to safety and transparency.
2. You replaced the engine oil. The presence of oil on the manifold from a leaking tappet cover gasket should reasonably have been noted at that time. Reporting it only after my return does not align with your claim of providing thorough and honest service.
I therefore stand by my review as accurate.