This place is a disgrace really! I bought a car from a friend with 6 months MOT and it ran fine up until that was due, I then had the misfortune to book my MOT with powells by default as my regular garage was booked up and I needed it doing without being off the road for any length of time and they could book me in, in hindsight alarm bells should of rang out then as the few other places I tried had at least a couple of days wait.
I was given a list of things that needed doing including a new clutch and head gasket which I ended up paying out in the region of £440 for in cash within the working day as i was entitled to a 'free' retest the next.
This said my car was passed and on the road by the end of the second working day which at the time I was happy with because of the minimal disruption however was not happy that I never received a receipt for my cash which I ask for and they said would be sent in the post later that day! It was only when I saw my friend a fortnight later that he said the clutch was done 6 months before my purchase and there should be nothing wrong with the head gasket or exhaust (that was another thing they had 'replaced') being a mechanic himself he offered to take a look, so another couple of weeks later when he was visiting (he lives in padstow now so is only this far west once or twice a month) he found that the exhaust had not infact been replaced (along with 2 front tyres also charged for on the bill) and it was improbable that the clutch, head gasket and many of the smaller items which made up the bill had been replaced either. This is my experience with Powells, I have tried to confront them but was nearly man handled off of the premises and was sworn and shouted at over the telephone, I have spoken the CAB who have advised to take legal advice from a professional and inform trading standards (which I have done) . I am sure other women have had similar experiences read more
