Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33046, 13 October 1972, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A. J. P.

Mileage check Do you check the mileage showing on your car’s speedometer when you leave it for service somewhere other than at your regular garage? If you do not, it might be a wise—and illuminating—move. I know, for instance, of one man who did not check the mileage when he left his expensive saloon at a panel-repair shop for several days for “cosmetic surgery.” The petrol tank was well-filled when he left the car, but almost empty when he picked it up again: now he is wondering whether someone took the vehicle for some unauthorised joyriding, or whether it was merely a case of petrolstealing. He is unlikely ever to find out. Rough treatment Most motorists resent the thought of anyone going for unauthorised joy-rides in their mechanical pride and joy, being all too conscious that such a “borrower” is unlikely to be too concerned about treating the car gently. And I am sure that some motorists would be truly horrified if they knew how their cars were sometimes driven in their absence. It can be very interesting to stand outside some of the major garages about the city, and see the way young mechanics drive what, in many cases, must obviously be customers’ cars on “road test.” I should not like to have my car’s tyres, transmission and brakes treated so harshly. From time to time, too, the inevitable happens, and a customer’s car gets badly

damaged. It happens rarely, but that it happens at all is discomforting. Image damage It would be very unfair to suggest that all young mechanics are inclined to borrow customer’s cars and “flog” them around the streets, but it is certainly far from unknown. I suspect that some firms and their foremen exercise a great deal more supervision than do others, too. They are the ones who realise the extent to which a firm’s public

image may be damaged i people often see younj mechanics come blasting ou of the workship entrant with wheels spinning an< engines howling. With somi jobs, road-tests are essen tial. With others, the ca has to be taken, perhaps to a specialist firm fo additional attention. Bu normally these cases will b< obvious to the customer and in any event, not mon than 10 or 12 miles shouli be involved at most. If yoi find your car has suddenly put on 20, 30 or more mile while in the hands o repairers, you have ever; reason for asking somi searching questions. But thi first essential is to note thi mileage—and, perhaps, thi fuel contents as well — before you leave the vehicle