Mazda Threats

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Alexpb2401
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Mazda Threats

Post by Alexpb2401 »

So you may have seen my previous post on my MOT fail from Mazda Gateshead. After complaining to the dealers head of service I supplier him with photos from Rotary Revs showing the bushes. They then asked for me to come down to the garage again for a fourth time.

I left the following review online:

"Not trustworthy. Took my car here for an MOT. They failed it and advised I needed to pay £959 for two new suspension arms. After seeking independent advice, I was told it’s extremely rare for the arms to fail, never mind both. Called Mazda back To clarify and they told me it was actually just the bushes that had “fully separated” but they find it easier to replace the whole arm.
They had lost my trust by then and I took the car to a RX8 specialist who told me both arms and bushes were absolutely fine, they provided me with pictures of the bushes which showed they were not separated and not even an advisory in their opinion. I then took the car to a 3rd independent garage who agreed and said Mazda were trying to take my money and it passed the MOT.
Tired of going backwards and forwards to Mazda so have complained to the DVSA"

The dealership have called me back this morning saying they're disappointed with the review and will consider legal action! WTF
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willberry70 (Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:41 pm)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by GraemeC »

Dealer seems well out of order, I would speak with Mazda UK and make sure they are fully up to speed on exactly what's happened
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willberry70 (Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:41 pm)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by bigpete8 »

change it to "Not trustworthy in my opinion."

If this is one by Metro centre I've used them a couple of times for recalls and been absolutely fine (better than Pug dealer at any rate).

Suppose MOTs are always going to be subjective as its down to the tester, but does seem they have an incentive to generate work......
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by goodeggbob »

I would be a bit careful that this doesn't escalate into something bigger,and end up with the independents being watched.
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Alexpb2401 »

Review has been edited to the below

"In my opinion, not trustworthy. Took my car here for an MOT. They failed it and advised I needed to pay £959 for two new suspension arms. After seeking independent advice, I was told it’s extremely rare for the arms to fail, never mind both. Called Mazda back To clarify and they told me it was actually just the bushes that had “fully separated” but they find it easier to replace the whole arm.
They had lost my trust by then and I took the car to a RX8 specialist who told me both arms and bushes were absolutely fine, they provided me with pictures of the bushes which showed they were not separated and not even an advisory in their opinion. I then took the car to a 3rd independent garage who agreed and said they didn't know what Mazda were talking about and it passed the MOT.
Tired of going backwards and forwards to Mazda so have complained to the DVSA*

Mazda are disputing it saying its one MOT testers opinion against another. The car has been reviewed from 2 people at Rotary Revs in Leeds and 1 from another independent garage. So 3 peoples opinion against 1

*The post has been edited after the garage called me this morning to say they're disappointed with this review and threatened legal action against me even though this is a factual representation of events - very classy Mazda!"


They did mention they'll seek statements from the other garages...

Spoke to Mazda UK, they said they're very disappointed. They understand different mechanics can have different opinions but welcome all reviews positive and negative
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willberry70 (Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:41 pm)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Essex2Visuvesi »

If you have evidence to substantiate your review then legally they wouldn't have a leg to stand on
I find it strange that they called you and did not put their threat of legal action in writing. If they call you again then ask for them to send it to you in writing..... I'd wager that they won't
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by PaulAV »

Think they are trying to use a bit of bullying, if it's an online review, that's what you are doing, a review, good or bad. Just because they don't like it, I wonder how many people they have bullied into withdrawing a negative review, makes you think.
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willberry70 (Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:43 pm)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Alexpb2401 »

I did think abut putting maybe this is why they have so many good reviews.

The guy had a 'dispute resolution' certificate on his wall in the dealership, I'm going to take legal action just against that, clearly needs to return it :D
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willberry70 (Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:43 pm)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by sKenDread »

I would love to know what kind of legal action they would pursue. "In my opinion" your review would not be seen as defamatory
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Essex2Visuvesi »

sKenDread wrote:
Wed Mar 04, 2020 11:15 am
I would love to know what kind of legal action they would pursue. "In my opinion" your review would not be seen as defamatory
Exactly my point, explains why they phoned rather than put it in writing.... less chance of it coming back to bite them on the ass
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by warpc0il »

All calls to/from my mobile are recorded using the ACR* app.
I've only had to replay calls a couple of times but it's amazing how their attitudes change, even just telling people that the call is being (or has been) recorded, is often enough.

*Another Call Recorder - for some strange reason Google Play will no longer allow apps to check the ID of calls in progress, so the version on Google Play has been crippled and requires you to manually tag the call later. The "unchained" version is available on Samsung Store, with all the features.
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Paul_13 »

Recording people is illegal in some countries.
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by warpc0il »

Perfectly legal in the UK, as long as (at least) one of the parties is aware.
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Ollie »

All you do is go "This call is being recorded for the purposes of training exercises." And then its 100% legit. :p
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Essex2Visuvesi »

I find "This call is being recorded as I trust you about as far about as I could comfortably sh*t a grand piano" works well
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by warpc0il »

I used to design call centre systems and can assure you that the "We record calls..." message isn't a legal requirement.
It's mainly there to reduce the chances of customers making outrageous statements or threats to staff, that they would otherwise think they can get away with. Most call centres only record less that 10% of the calls anyway, though some systems have a panic button that the agent can click to have their call recorded from that point - especially of things are going badly. It used to be called "the bomb threat button" back in the '90s :roll:

I implemented one of the first 100% call recording systems, using a desktop-based app, rather than a central bank of multi-channel recorders.

Back on topic, as long as the review makes the facts clear, which may also include your customer dissatisfaction, then the appropriate response to their threats of court action should be "Yes please, I'd love to have this all publicised in a court hearing"
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Alexpb2401 »

My biggest worry now is the guy from DVSA looks it over, agrees with Mazda, cancels my MOT and I’m back to paying best part of a grand for new suspension arms #-o (and grovelling to Mazda and having to remove my review)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by kopite72 »

Even if that happens there's no need to pay big money for arms. A few arms that are in good shape off a breaker will cost you peanuts and you'll pass your MOT just fine, ask me how I know...
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by 30405 »

kopite72 wrote:Even if that happens there's no need to pay big money for arms. A few arms that are in good shape off a breaker will cost you peanuts and you'll pass your MOT just fine, ask me how I know...
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by shroom »

Alexpb2401 wrote:My biggest worry now is the guy from DVSA looks it over, agrees with Mazda, cancels my MOT and I’m back to paying best part of a grand for new suspension arms #-o (and grovelling to Mazda and having to remove my review)
Why would they do that? Your not lying and your arms are fine from the pictures and its not hard to check them yourself too.


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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by shroom »

goodeggbob wrote:I would be a bit careful that this doesn't escalate into something bigger,and end up with the independents being watched.
Well this is only involving MOTs and no independents would be trying to fiddle honest owners with work that is not needed?

If they where then it does needs investigating too imho

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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by v-rex »

Alexpb2401 wrote:
Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:35 pm
My biggest worry now is the guy from DVSA looks it over, agrees with Mazda, cancels my MOT and I’m back to paying best part of a grand for new suspension arms #-o (and grovelling to Mazda and having to remove my review)
Yeah you always have to tread carefully. I think your review seemed factual to me, but the trust sections could be misconstrued. The "imo" helps at the front, but you do mention in a subsequent paragraph, that they lost your trust. It all seems ok, but I'm never sure where the line is drawn, and you never know what might come of it. Could be all talk, and until you receive an official legal letter I wouldn't worry too much, but you never know.

A good friend of mine is a litigation lawyer and he tells me about some of the cases. It's very interesting how some of the cases pan out, but in most cases the lawyers are always the ones that come out of it the richest. I'd see what happens but it it's come down to it and you have to remove the review, and grovel a bit, then I would just do it. The arms I think someone said, can probably be sourced cheaply from a breaker's yard, and you can just get on with enjoying the car. It sounds like you don't even need new arms, so as long as you've got a clear MOT then there is not further cost ?

You won't have the pyrrhic victory of the damning review and that's an ego blow, but sometimes you got to choose which battles to fight and which to let go !! ;)
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by 30405 »

If you need some advice let me know and I'll speak to my bro. He handles complaints for another car company and knows some of the ins and outs.
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by Alexpb2401 »

The things rotary revs picked up were exactly the same the MOT garage picked up on (without informing them in advance). Light play in the drop links and rear exhaust clamp. I called Rotary Revs and the independent to warn them as Hodgson Mazda said they may contact them for statements.

All this and all they had to do was apologise and offer a refund haha
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Re: Mazda Threats

Post by shroom »

Alexpb2401 wrote:The things rotary revs picked up were exactly the same the MOT garage picked up on (without informing them in advance). Light play in the drop links and rear exhaust clamp. I called Rotary Revs and the independent to warn them as Hodgson Mazda said they may contact them for statements.

All this and all they had to do was apologise and offer a refund haha
I really wouldnt worry

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