ZERO STARS
WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!
We are finally able to write our review now that our VCAT hearing against Rapid Tune is over.
We took our car in to Rapid Tune Greensborough and were told by Ben, the manager that the engine of our Mazda 6 needed to be replaced. He sourced an engine which he claimed had 60,000km and a cash figure of $5,000 was agreed on. He offered us a loan car and the brakes completely failed on the first day. What was unbelievable is that the mechanic drove the loan car back from our house to the workshop without brakes!
After they installed the engine, the radiator burst and Ben said it was ‘wear and tear’. During this conversation we found out by accident that the mechanic had damaged the transmission during the engine installation and they had replaced the transmission without our knowledge or consent.
From here on, we had nothing but problems one after another, having to return continuously because of a series of engine and transmission failures. Ben implied that we did something to the car, and all along tried to make it look like we were the problem. Finally, it was discovered that the engine they put in was faulty because of a blown head gasket. It was taken back to the supplier for repair.
We later found out through the engine supplier that the engine Ben told us had 60,000km actually had 154,045km. The supplier confirmed that Rapid Tune was well aware of the kilometres on the engine. We couldn’t believe it!
We spent many valuable hours trying to get some sort of resolution, being forced to engage with lawyers and subsequently proceeding to VCAT where even under oath, Rapid Tune representatives were dishonest. Regardless, we had a favourable outcome. Our main aim was to hold Rapid Tune accountable as we did not want this to happen to anyone else.
The way that the situation was handled is very disappointing. Not once did Rapid Tune apologise for what had happened. Rather, they continually claimed that the issues with the car were due to lack of maintenance which had no validity. Even any attempt at contacting head office was a waste of time.
In addition to the dishonesty regarding the changeover engine and the replacement of the transmission, there were other issues such as poor workmanship, leaving our car in the back paddock overnight, referring to problems as “wear and tear” and being accused of not looking after our car, when all along it was Rapid Tune who didn’t look after our car.
We are now left with a car that has an old engine and we will never know what transmission was put in to our car, or the age and state of it.
This was a terrible experience that we hope no one ever has to go through and hopefully, this makes others aware.