Hey,
I took possession of a 2012 model Swift Vdi within family after an upgrade from my beloved 2003 model Zen Lxi.
I have had an awesome service experience with MSM, Jahangirpuri over a period of time. But just as an acid test, thought to get the 20000 km service of my swift from M.S.S, Naraina since the swift has been serviced by them since purchase. Searched it on tbhp (I don't use google for automobile stuff anymore!n
) and found all praises. Another inbound fear was the notorious cost of 20000 km, so decided that M.S.S, unlike other appointed dealers would have least of hefty profit making motive in servicing my car.
Thus, was decided that M.S.S, Naraina it would be. As I always pamper my ride, so avoiding a weekend rush, i booked a slot for my service on a weekday. I was attended by the service adviser and was asked for any specific points to look into. There were no complaints as such except for a little gruffy engine note. I was further impressed when I was asked if I wish to go for mineral oil or synthetic oil (I had a mental perception that I would be strongly insisted for synthetic oil). Anyways, since my car was already on synthetic oil, I told him to continue with the same.
The service went on as usual while I was waiting in the customer lounge. I was told that I cannot enter workshop area despite assuring the M.S.S people that I would not disturb the mechanic even a wee bit. Anyways, everything was as usual until the car was ready after the service. This was the point when the service experience started shifting from good to the north of average. The prominent points being:
- The engine oil was found to be in excess when checked from dipstick. The service adviser mentioned that it is due to hot engine. I was satisfied with the answer. However, after 4-5 days it just clicked me to check the oil level again. In a cold engine on a leveled surface, I find the oil level generously above the maximum mark.
- The 20000 km service interval mentions change of coolant. However, I was charged Rs.550 as Radiator R&R in the labor charges except for Rs.600 coolant cost. I feel that I was fleeced of Rs.550 charge for totally unnecessary work. The SA told me these were towards some radiator flush chemical they use (cannot understand why then was this charge under Labor column in bill).
- The car had an irritating rattle post service. Discovered that spare wheel was not secured in place and it was merrily moving around making noises.
- The M.S.S balanced the 5 wheels on my car using 4 nos of weight in total. This is technically not going down too well with me. I understand that the old weights need to be removed before balancing the tire, in which case a minimum of 5 nos. of weights should have been used.
- The battery terminal grease was lying on the plastic part of battery as if carelessly thrown there just for the sake of greasing. I had to spread it myself as if it was some DIY kit offered by Maruti
- Though negligible expense, I was charged for the windshield washer concentrate while I had already filled right dose of shampoo in my last refill of water during Delhi monsoon rains.
- They charged some Rs. 475 for "side slip and brake tester charges" which I feel are again imposed to make some profit. They must have installed some costly machine and now are fleecing the customers by using it without a requirement on every car. The interesting logic given to me for this charge was that since the car is under warranty, this test should be performed so that any suspension problem could be sorted FOC under warranty. I later on realized that going by the same logic, they should have performed adn charged me for engine compression test because even the engine is still under warranty and they would change it FOC in warranty if need arises.
- Another interesting thing, my job card erroneously mentioned of some A/C not effective complaint. The same was clarified to the SA on test drive before service. However, the proof copy of bill mentioned some Rs.600 for A/C service charges. The SA on realizing the goof up promptly got those removed as my A/C unit was not even touched during the entire service. This very well prove that they blindly charge you for anything and everything without looking if the problem really existed and worked upon or not.
All these points have really got me worried whether these guys would have performed other service aspects satisfactorily esp those not evident to eyes so easily (eg. change of transmission fluid, change of all filters and putting in mineral oil while charging for synthetic oil etc). I totally understand that it was mistake on my part to not raise a voice then and there about the complaints I have now. However, I had high trust in M.S.S since it was rated better than MSM and my experience with MSM, Jahangirpuri has been nothing less than awesome.
Forgetting all other points. My biggest concern is about the damage caused to engine/seals/bearings due to overly excessive engine oil since my car has already covered some 1500 km in this state.
And to top it all, I received a follow up call from the SA's Team leader. On telling him the complaint he very coolly starting giving stupid logic like "sir its 2.9 liter of oil plus 0.2 liter for filter" and blah blah. I tried to tell him that I am from a technical background and referring to the vehicle manual, I can very well diagnose if the engine oil is in excess or not. Still he continued with the same garbage talk, so I requested him to hold the line so that I can start my call recorder and then he could repeat all the gyan he is providing me. Realizing his pseudo alibi caught, all that he said later was that "sir please provide me your address and I shall send a mechanic to look into your concern".
I am following up this issue with GM, M.S.S. who was not available today owing to some urgent work.
A word of advice: All in all, all the big words about M.S.S are just a misnomer. Please follow due caution (and even more) as when going to the worst M.A.S.S known to you/reported here on tbhp. There is nothing better or exceptional about M.S.S, Naraina which you can trust upon.
P.S: Here is a detail of bill attached:
PARTS:
1. Plug assy, oil drain: Rs.75.56
2. Coolant (SB) non amine: Rs. 626.67 (3 litres @ Rs208.89/l)
3. Brake fluid: Rs. 173.34 (300 ml @ Rs.57.78/100ml)
4. Service kit, New Swift Diesel: Rs.1608.89 (includes the air/oil/diesel filters)
5. Grease, caliper assy: Rs.56.88 (2 qty @ Rs28.44 each)
6. Screen wash concentrate: Rs.13.33
7. Balance weight: Rs.66.66 (includes 10, 20, 30 gms weight)
8. MGGO (75W90)- Shell: Rs.816.84 (2.6 liters @ Rs.314.17/l)
9. Synthetic oil (0W40)- Mobil 1: Rs.3164.57 (3.1 liters @ 1020.83)
Labor:
1. Paid service (20k km): Rs.1375
2. Wheel Alignment: Rs.275
3. Side slip & brake tester charges: Rs.475
4. Wheel balancing (5 wheels): Rs.275
5. Radiator assy R&R: Rs.550
6. Body Washing: Rs.20
Sub total: Rs.6602.74(parts) and Rs. 2970(labor)
Final amount: Rs.10410 (after 5% disc on parts and 8% disc on labor equating to Rs. 567.73)