Mechanic Changed Tyre During Roadworthy Check and Threatened to Hit Parents

Lnxllson on 09/02/2017 - 17:06
Last edited 12/02/2017 - 01:26 by 1 other user

—INITIAL POST—CAN BE SKIPPED COMPLETELY AND GO TO THE UPDATE FURTHER DOWN—
Hi, my parents recently went out to a mechanic shop for a roadworthy check.

We sent our Toyota Aurion AT-X out for a roadworthy check in preparation to selling it to a customer and went to collect it. Upon inspecting the car, they (parents) found that the tires had been changed to a much older tire and did not look like the one we had before the royalty check. I just went out to check it myself and saw that all 4 tires had been replaced with an old tyre (possibly from a friend of theirs). If any advice could be given on this it would be great. We went home aborting the roadworthy check since they did us a bad deed.

They decided to go get their colleagues out and have an argument with parents, luckily they were both there so they would not have the guts to start attacking my parents. They went to the back and got long sticks (possibly to beat my parents) but they did not go further.

The tires: (if you look closely the tread is terribly worn out and our car has only clocked 30,000KMs.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46382/img_3078.…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46383/img_3077.…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46384/img_3076.…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46385/img_3075.…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46386/img_3074.…

—-UPDATE 12/02/2017—-
Hi guys, This is ItzMilzy's brother - I wanted to post here to clear up as much doubt or main questions as possible. The above is a recount by my young teenage brother upon hearing this from my parents. Below is my input after speaking to them and having a look at the car earlier today. I feel some comments I made using iCollected has been ambiguous (haven't looked at the car myself and only going by what my brother told me) and some comments may have been taken the wrong way, so hopefully the following clears them. Note that the above and the below recounts will vary as I'm leaving the above unedited so that comments in this thread make sense.

TOPIC: parents allege mechanics changed their car tyres-

My parents have upgraded their car. Their 2013' Aurion is to be sold to their friends. It has had a 60km service (30km use) on 17th January 2017. Never had a problem, tyres have not been changed since purchase.

SEE SERVICE REPORT: http://i.imgur.com/sJxaDXe.jpg
Date of service, km of use and relevant checks highlighted.

Some background; my parents are gentle cheery Asians. Dad looks after his things, he hand washes his car weekly, sometimes twice, he finishes with wax and he sprays the tyres so they're shiny; he knows what they look like. Mum drives 5km below the speed limit (kudos to TAC wipe-off-5 ad campaign), dad doesn't like freeways, "they're too fast" for him. They don't drift or do burn outs.

They took it to a mechanic for a roadworthy inspection a few days ago and were informed, 4hrs after leaving the car there, that their tyres needed to be changed - they are happy with that, though did wonder why the Toyota dealership didn't pick that up. Upon arrival dad noticed the tyres are extremely dirty- he washed it just the day before- and on closer look was adamant they are not his. He was not aggressive, so he claims. "He was almost in tears actually, feeling a bit helpless", recounts mum. Dad only asked them to please just change his tyres back and they'll be on their way. Understandably the mechanics were extremely angry and it escalated from a plea from dad, to the presumed owner asking one of his worker to go fetch him a metal bar to "do" them in. Dad and mum backed out of the area onto the front of the shop so that other businesses can witness if something was to happen. The owner threw him his keys and told them to piss off.

When they got home they told my brother about what happened and my brother went to the car to have a look. He googled some things about tyres and found that the manufacturing dates for recent tyres can be found as a four digit number; the first two, the week and the last, the year. One tyre was 1615; week 16, 2015.
see picture: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46387/img_3079.…
1st apology for confusion found later in thread; when looking at the numbers 1413, 1113 etc some where upside down and my brother didn't flip it when he reported to me hence some of my comments mentioned 2011 and 2014 years. The other three tyres are 2013 but much more worn than dad recalls. regardless, even a single 2015 tyre can not be present in a 2013 car.

I called up Toyota dealership to clarify some things:
1. Tyres can have different manufacturing years as stock (goes to a warehouse and fitted on later).
2. However, it can't possibly be a 2015 tyre on a 2013 purchase.
History
1. Our tyres have never been replaced and they currently have 2013, 2013, 2013, 2015 year stamps on them.
2. It has been changed somewhere along the line.
3. The car has only EVER been serviced at a Toyota dealership and a roadworthy check with these mechanics.

2nd apology; I mentioned us buying 350k worth of cars only to stress how little $1k car tyre change means to my parents, I apologise if this insulted anyone (comment received a fair number of negs). There was a good comment re; calling lawyers to deal with it, why come to OZbargain if we were so well-off. My parents as well as myself never had the intention of posting this on ozbargain. My teenage brother was sitting at the police station waiting to file a report and decided to post on ozbargain because he was bored and angry. I was just trying to clarify all his inconsistencies to the community. Yes, I have consulted my lawyer. Yes we have filed a police report. I also learned a lesson that comments regarding high value purchases or income should be avoided on ozbargain.

In summary, we don't have proof. We just have probable cause; dad's memory, the time-travelling tyre from 2015 on a 2013 car and the inconsistent reports of the dealership-service a few weeks ago and the tyres found upon the roadworthy inspection.

The biggest thing about all this is the shock my parents had. They trust the local community they've lived in for over 2 decades more than anything. They trust the legal system and its ability to curb harmful practices. I guess they just feel let down and defenceless when they needed it.

Thank you all for your comments regarding this. There is not much further we can do. We hope this serves as a notice to whoever reads this to be vigilant. Maybe taking photos of the car's general condition when dropping off your cars at the mechanics can help deter any malicious intents.

P.S. for those interested in the police's comments: they can't do anything regarding the alleged tyre swaps. They can't do anything re; physical threats. If you are physically hurt, They will then be able to visit and speak with the accused; however, no charges are generally laid due to lack of evidence without a witness.
Which I guess are all fair comments.

Poll Options

  • 281
    Report to the Police
  • 13
    Go to the Consumer Affairs Victoria
  • 19
    Do nothing
Automotive

Comments

  • skyva on 10/02/2017 - 14:41

    Here is my guess:
    Car needs to pass roadworthy to be sold. Owner does not want to spend any money on repairs to pass roadworthy, obviously, as this cannot be recouped from new owner.

    I would lean towards the Owner is either:

    1. trying to shame mechanic into passing the car as is with original tyres,
      or
    2. asked mechanic to put used but roadworthy tyres on car and is not happy with the outcome.

    I am happy to hear what else could make sense.

      • skyva on 10/02/2017 - 16:19
        +6

        What is the "supposed oversight". The OP claimed the tyres were changed to that of a lesser quality. That is not an oversight, it is either as per instructed to pass roadworthy, or illegal.

        Given that the first thing the OP did was to name and shame, it would seem consistent that the owners of the car went in to the mechanics raging about something.

        I agreed to buy a car from a dealer, and when I picked it up, the tyres (on a car that had done 5000km) had been swapped. Only the front two, from the ok OEM, to a cheap import, hoping I wouldn't notice. I raised it with the salesmen, who looked sheepish. He didn't admit fault but threw in tow bar for free after I threatened to walk away from the deal.

        So I know it is possible to swap tyres. BUT, there has to be a reason. In my case, they took off good new tyres and put on cheaper tyres. They probably put the good ones on the front of another car they were selling, as bad fronts will affect a test drive.

        In this case there is no reason for anyone to swap tyres with the same type of similar age. It is work done for nothing. No-one does work for no good reason.

        I can easily imagine a situation where the car failed the roadworthy, and they called to say the tyres were bad. They have some others that will pass and are cheap and offer top put them on. "Go ahead" says the owner, the car was sold with old tyres, the new owner won't know anyway. After the handover, the new owner says "these tyres are crap, you dudded me". Or the original owner doesn't like the look of the replacement tyres.

        There are two entirely plausible scenarios.

        Do you have an alternative entirely plausible scenario? Did you get the roadworthy certificate?

        • icollected on 10/02/2017 - 16:23

          No we didn't get a roadworthy certificate.

          Here's one hypothesis for you; they swapped it so then they can make money off 4 new tyres that are to be replaced through them.

          Now your turn,
          explain how a 2013 car has 2011, 2014, 2015 manufactured tyres on them.

      • SilentBob on 11/02/2017 - 12:26

        You sell cards and stuff on eBay?

  • [Deactivated] on 10/02/2017 - 14:59
    +7

    I'm guessing mechanics rotated the wheels to ensure even tire wear.

  • sky blu on 10/02/2017 - 15:33
    +5

    I'd like to know the outcome of this case and that the OP is so owned by the overwhelming discrepancies in his/her story.

    They decided to go get their colleagues out and have an argument with parents, luckily they were both there so they would not have the guts to start attacking my parents. They went to the back and got long sticks (possibly to beat my parents) but they did not go further.

    Is your dad Jason Statham? Because if a mechanic, who works with tools on a daily basis, will not need to go to the back to get "long sticks", in order to "attack" your parents. That's ludicrously unbelievable. I used to work in a dirt bike place and one of the mechanics, who happened to be a Master Jiujitsu, was always ready to have a go with anyone being hostile to us boys in the office. Now imagine he is accused of stealing without any solid evidence…

    • icollected on 10/02/2017 - 15:51

      The original post is by a young teenage boy who is not as articulate and clear as an adult; posting on a small screen iphone whilst waiting at the police station doesn't help with proof reading as well. He is recounting a story told to him in another language.

      • Baysew on 10/02/2017 - 18:14
        +3

        The original post is by a young teenage boy

        User Profile: iTzMilzy

        Member Since: 04/05/2013

        Statistics: 24 posts / 243 comments

        So he is not using his own account?

        • Hirolol on 10/02/2017 - 23:12
          +4

          Pretty sure it's his account if he TyPeZ LiKe DiS

  • bargainsville on 10/02/2017 - 16:00
    +8

    If any workshop was stupid enough to do this, I'm guessing its not to swap old tyres for older tyres, but to put on "un-roadworthy" tyres and try and get the owners to buy new tyres….maybe that's what the op is getting at.

  • icollected on 10/02/2017 - 16:06
    +2

    Final update and we'll leave it at that.
    Called up our Toyota dealership to clarify some stuff;
    1. Tyres can have different manufacturing years as stock (goes to a warehouse and fitted on later).
    2. However, it can't possibly be a 2015 tyre on a 2013 purchase.
    History
    1. Our tyres have never been replaced and they currently have 2011, 2014, 2015 year stamps on them.
    2. It has been changed somewhere along the line.
    3. The car has only EVER been serviced at a Toyota dealership and a roadworthy check with these mechanics.

    We can all make our own deductions and hypothesis for the reason or motive for the above.
    Will focus on finding a place to replace our tyres and move on. Police report made, purely out of principle and to see if others have reported the same shop.
    No evidence other than the comments as above.

    • JimB on 10/02/2017 - 17:06
      +4

      Do you know how to read the tyre manufacturing date?

      • icollected on 10/02/2017 - 21:48

        I think so…
        My brother posted this:
        https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46387/img_3079.…

        Is that week 16, 2015?

        • JimB on 11/02/2017 - 02:09
          +1

          You're correct, it does appear to be week 16 in 2015.

          However, it still doesn't make sense that the workshop has changed it because it from memory the tyres looked fine and on par with what 30k old tyres look like (before the original post was edited and photos removed).

          You sure your parents didn't change it or someone who borrowed the car damaged the tyre and changed it?

          Any accidents, I remember that the car had panel damage.

        • whooah1979 on 11/02/2017 - 07:16

          @JB1:

          Any accidents, I remember that the car had panel damage.

          panel damage, yes. but no gutter rash. strange indeed.

        • nxllson on 12/02/2017 - 09:31

          @whooah1979:
          It's caused by stone handrails adjacent to the drive way that has an ornament jutting out. Dad's a little clumsy at time.
          Hence no damage to any parts lower than that panel portion.

    • nowlan on 11/02/2017 - 17:18

      No flat tyre being replaced since new?

  • infinite on 10/02/2017 - 16:25
    +20

    No clue if OP is being legit with this story, but what they have alleged to have happened is a very VERY run of the mill scam for auto mechanics / repairers. Especially in the US where I used to live. I used to volunteer as a legal officer at a CBS that dealt with dozens of these auto-scam claims like this every week.

    It basically runs like this:
    1. Clueless looking person brings car in for check or a service.
    2. Charge them for work done & in the process swap out their tyres, brake pads/rotors, air filters, etc… for nearly broken or dead one's (They picked them up for nothing from a friend, wrecker or crashed car).
    3. Clean and add the customers parts to your store room for later.
    4. Sell them "re-conditioned" parts at "mates rates" when they come back in complaining of a fault or simply for their next service, which are of course just their own car parts already stolen last visit. Put nearly broken items back in shelves to do exact same thing to next customer. It's a double-dip scam as well, because they charge for both service time AND the parts, of which neither are actually costing anything or being provided.

    If the customer queries it, they deny, deny, deny. This is because the customer wont in all likelyhood do anything about it, because most people dont have the courage to follow it up or do anything about it. If the customer asks why it wasn't picked up last inspection, they say it's because wasn't due for inspection. If the customer demands recourse or say they'll go to the police, they just ask them to hand over photo evidence from prior to putting in their car, because they know you wont have thought to do it.

    It's the exact same thing as well for invented servicing time/jobs like flushing out / greasing / cleaning stuff that either doesn't need it, or isn't even a part in your car.

    TL/DR, what happened to OP is actually a very common place scam.

    • Yamai on 12/02/2017 - 16:58
      -4

      TL/DR, what happened to OP is actually a very common place scam.

      It may be a common scam in the US as you said, but it does not make it a common scam in a Australia, which is where it matters in this instance, this whole scenario is clearly a breakdown in communication and tbh the family themselves sound like the scammers.

  • kidcudi on 10/02/2017 - 16:33
    -7

    Don't know if this is relevant but we've spent $350k on cars in the last 2 years. We don't scrimp on a $18k Aurion for sale to our friend, I don't even think they mind any value between $12-$22k; it's a friendly purchase. i.e. $1k on tyres is absolutely not the issue. It's less than a day's income

    LOL thats pretty irrelevant and why is it a 1k lesson, did you buy the new tires?

    • tonyjzx on 10/02/2017 - 16:38
      +8

      If you are truly that wealthy and influential why would you even bother asking this place?

      You should be able to ask your lawyers to do any of this. That's what we do. We've had various minor issues with certain German marques and really, why would I ask here when I have the all the advice I need, real legal advice a phone call away?

      You print this thread out with pics, send it off to your legals and get them to sort it out. Done.

      I dont know anything about conveyancing or land zoning etc. I dont ask here, I pay to get things done.

      If you're that rich, you dont need to rely on anyone here. I don't. I would be even ask this place for fun… the feedback you get isnt even worth comedy value.

      • Ughhh on 12/02/2017 - 04:20
        -1

        Most likely a troll

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/127074

        Only had a budget of $1k for a new TV… So wealthy …

        • icollected on 12/02/2017 - 09:36
          +1

          Or…my brother has savings and wants to justify his spending by showing some thought for parental approval prior to purchase.

        • sky blu on 12/02/2017 - 14:20
          +1

          @icollected: Wait, so kidcudi is your sibling too? How many if you are on here?

        • icollected on 12/02/2017 - 19:15

          @sky blu:
          oops. didn't even realise he linked someone completely different. No, that person is not my brother. But the post sounds like something my brother would have made before asking parents for a Ps4 with a new screen to boot for his room.

        • kidcudi on 12/02/2017 - 19:26
          +1

          @sky blu:

          Not related at all. I was just quoting what op wrote. I forgot the talking marks.

          I just wanted to point out that op comment about spending 350k on cars and earning 1k a day seems irrelevant to his story. My bad for the confusion

    • kidcudi on 12/02/2017 - 19:43

      I was just quoting what the op wrote earlier and how does earning 1k a day relevant to the story.

  • HeWhoKnows on 10/02/2017 - 16:52

    Unless you have rock solid evidence regarding the tyres such as IMMEDIATELY before and after photos absolutely nothing can be done.
    There is also the argument could be that YOU changed the tyres or as most say - its just normal wear and tear.
    You also run the risk of defamation as others have noted.
    Pull down the post is my advice.

  • HeWhoKnows on 10/02/2017 - 17:00

    Rule of thumb - always wait whilst the car is being inspected for a road worthy certificate. It only takes 10 mins

  • JimB on 10/02/2017 - 17:14
    +2

    Why would you cancel a RWC (what you call royalty check)?

    Seems to me you have shot yourself in the foot. The tyres look roadworthy to me and consistent with a powerful FWD car that's done 30k.

    • tonyjzx on 10/02/2017 - 17:17
      +10

      They are a pair of kids who dont know anything, full stop. Their combined ages isnt even as old as a decent whiskey…

      • HeWhoKnows on 10/02/2017 - 17:25

        That sums it up about right

        • tonyjzx on 10/02/2017 - 18:06
          +4

          Conclusion to this thread:

          Tyres are actually what came with the car.

          The 'sticks' the employees were 'waiving' was just the brooms used to sweep the floor at the end of the day.

          Everyone is a victim here.

        • WishIHadAfridge on 12/02/2017 - 09:15

          OP has mentioned that the tires are 2011,2014 and 2015 so I don't see how those tires came with a 2013 model car.

        • Yamai on 12/02/2017 - 17:01

          @WishIHadAfridge:
          Are you some kind of tyre expert who can pass judgement on such things?

        • cathole on 12/02/2017 - 20:46

          @Yamai: no he's an expert in time travel. He's come from the future to tell you that it is indeed not possible to purchase a tire that was manufactured 2 years from the date, unless of course, you are an expert time traveller.

        • bghunter on 13/02/2017 - 00:04
          +1

          @WishIHadAfridge:
          So true, someone give this guy a fridge :)

        • Yamai on 13/02/2017 - 04:17

          @cathole:
          Ypu realise it is 2017? 2015 was 2years ago and this incident has only just happened? Thats a whole 2 years buddy.

        • WishIHadAfridge on 13/02/2017 - 20:18

          did you not read the post and above comments?

          -car's model was 2013
          - has done 30 000k
          - tires have never been changed (according to OPs brother)

          so if op claims tires have never been changed on a car which was made in 2013, can you please inform me how a 2015 tire was on this car?

          Hence why OP is suspecting mechanic.

        • stonkered on 14/02/2017 - 16:55

          @Yamai:

          Don't you know mate everyone here on Ozb is a bloody expert on everything…

  • mgh4me on 10/02/2017 - 17:32

    What year is the car do you actually need a RWC to sell. I know if you own one you don't need RWC for first 5 years. Maybe the rules are different if your selling or if the buyer wants one. I have a late 2012 ATX and the Michelins are the factory supplied I also had a similar wear pattern on the outside edge and it was due to hitting a gutter and knocking the alignment out. Once I got the alignment done no more problems.

    • JimB on 11/02/2017 - 02:11
      +2

      Anytime you sell the car regardless of age.

  • JV159 on 10/02/2017 - 19:18

    That's soo close to home that it's scary.
    Unfortunately the police are probably going to do nothing although you should still file a report and maybe it'll get looked into.
    Unrelated note without going into much detail, I am currently waiting for a Brimbank police station to provide any news involving a deliberate hit and run involving my vehicle at a traffic light in St Albans, it's been 2 weeks now and have not heard a thing even after calling them to follow up.

    Btw too many dodgy places in the Sunshine area by the looks of things, you must leave your car at places with caution it seems.

  • subee on 10/02/2017 - 20:04
    +11

    This tyre has a manufactured date of 1113, week 11 2013.
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46382/img_3078.…

    This tyre has a date of 1013, week 10 2013.
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46383/img_3077.…

    Cant make out the dates on the others.

    I reckon you your parents owe the mechanic an apology.

    • icollected on 10/02/2017 - 21:44

      Sorry will clarify, I'm literally going by what my younger brother is reporting, he mentioned 4 tyres, 3 different years. it could be 13, 13, 14, 15. Will update tomorrow night when I go to parent's place.

      Just whilst people are waiting, noticed my brother post this:
      https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46387/img_3079.…
      Week 16, 2015?

      • subee on 10/02/2017 - 22:57
        +1

        Yep week 16, 2015.

        Are you sure your parents never replaced a punctured tyre?
        Maybe when they took it to toyota for a service??

        OR toyota mistakenly put another camrys wheel back on your car while in sevice?

        Now it seems you have 3x2013 and a 2015 tyre. You're actually ahead when you think about it !!
        You should be a happy ozbargainer!

  • [Deactivated] on 10/02/2017 - 20:59

    Amayzingone on 10/02/2017 - 17:04

    Factory fitted tyres are NOT CHEAP SPEC. Rather exactly the opposite they are the only tyres sold In Australia that must comply with Australian design rules. All after-market tyres need not comply so they are cheaper spec than factory fitted tyres.

    Here we go again. What a load of crock.

    There is a tyre placard on all vehicles and very stringent ADR rules regarding tyres.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2017 - 01:16

      I was told this by our mechanics when I worked in dealerships. (doing finance).
      Tyres on new cars from factory are way better than shelf stock.

  • sky blu on 10/02/2017 - 21:17
    +6

    6 revisions and the post has shrunk close to a TL;DR version. Surely if the auto shop was at fault you (the TWO of you) would not have needed to make so many amendments to the story?

    Here one of you challenged someone with:

    explain how a 2013 car has 2011, 2014, 2015 manufactured tyres on them.

    While this comment pointed out, from the photos you uploaded, that (2) tyres have 2013 manufacture stamps. This alone has contradicted your own statement and reduced the credibility of your story (go back up top what I said about the revisions).

    Get your facts straight, son.

    • supnigs super skids on 10/02/2017 - 21:23

      Something's suss within these kids huh? explaination would be great

    • stonkered on 14/02/2017 - 16:58

      Lol OK dad

  • Cheeper on 10/02/2017 - 21:46
    +2

    Only read half this saga…
    Check the spare and if it is still one of the original fitment tyres then check the date and batch number on that tyre, it should match the other 4.
    Got any recent pics with the car in it?

  • whooah1979 on 10/02/2017 - 21:50
    +3

    My parents are gentle Asians

    there is certainly something wrong with this story.
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46383/img_3077.… shows scratches on the body, but no gutter rash. there is in fact very little gutter rash on all of the rims. how is this possible?

    edit
    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100896/46387/img_3079.…

    do these rims even belong to this vehicle?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2017 - 01:13

      Very suspicious.

  • Austrian Oak on 10/02/2017 - 22:48
    +9

    Story doesn't add up. Ops going round in circles, wheel see where this story goes. Hopefully this doesn't get tyred up in court.

  • megaclix on 10/02/2017 - 23:22

    If the tyres have just been changed, there will be evidence.

    Remove the hub caps, and check for recent fingerprints or smudgies. Is there evidence of that sealant stuff near the rim (whenever I get a tyre change, their is always some paste/glue put on the tyre - I assume to get a better seal). What about the nuts - are there any shiny contact points?

    If there is evidence, time to get an independent opinion. Still, it will be hard to prove 100%.

    If not, at least you can be satisfied that the tyre swap has happened elsewhere - and apologise to garage.

    • sky blu on 11/02/2017 - 03:13
      +18

      Yes yes, we are glad your wife called you away.

      The tutor is at the door anyway. Today's lession is using punctuations and paragraphs.

  • tomleonhart on 10/02/2017 - 23:36
    +10

    This reminds me of my colleague story:

    She took the car for a service at a new mechanic. When she picked it up, she noticed the fuel tank was almost empty despite fuelling it up the day before. So she made a complaint to the shop that their staff are taking fuel out of customer car. Naturally the shop owner said no they don't do that. She said she knows their staff is doing it because she filled up the car the day before, she doesn't want any compensation just want to let them know not to do it again.

    I listened to the whole convo on the phone and thought: who the hell steals fuel, it's hardly worth anything.

    We found out a couple of days later that her fuel gauge is broken.

    The mechanic never got an apology.

    • Moral hazard on 10/02/2017 - 23:56

      I'd have to agree with this.

      No mechanic is going to bother wasting time to steal fuel.

      Likewise they aren't swapping wheels and tyres around intentionally.

      They make plenty of money just doing their regular stuff.

      They won't risk that to play games.

      I can't believe I even bothered to type a reply to this thread.

      • Cheeper on 11/02/2017 - 02:16

        The owner of the business may not be up to shady tricks but that does not say the staff are not.
        A couple of years ago there were several confirmed reports of a particular make of suv with disappearing spare wheels.
        In most of those cases the most common factor was that it had been serviced recently.. and the spares, usually new and never been on the road, were being sold in lots of 4 on ebay and gumtree by employees of car servicing places.

      • WT on 28/02/2017 - 10:06

        Maybe not steal fuel but plenty of shops do petty shit.

        one shop in syd who shall remain nameless, but ends in racing developments, pulled shifty stuff returning old used stuff for warranty. If they pull that with suppliers, who knows what they do to customers

        CBA staff/management have been caught doing dodgy stuff, what makes you think that a mechanic/tradie/IT/hospitality are any different? Only the amounts change

        Have you seen the end of lincon lawyer? He gives his client a freebie and says "well get them on the next one". Granted its a movie but I have seen the same thing from lawyers/accountants and business owners with the same mentality. It comes down to the individuals ethics and GREED!

    • scheps on 11/02/2017 - 23:24

      i guess checking if the fuel gauge is working is not part of the service e.g. almost empty? genuine question.

      • tomleonhart on 12/02/2017 - 00:17

        what are you asking ?

        • scheps on 12/02/2017 - 00:48

          just wondering if a broken gauge would be picked up during service. Would have thought a working fuel gauge is important.

        • tomleonhart on 12/02/2017 - 08:31

          @scheps: I don't know. Wasn't my car. I just listened to the conversation as I sat opposite her.

    • stonkered on 14/02/2017 - 17:03

      I still think they stole her fuel :p

  • jenkemjunkie on 11/02/2017 - 00:07
    +14

    I think the truth is that your parents were snooping around the mechanics and Dom caught them… and then they said Hector is going to be running 3 Honda Civics with spoon engines. And on top of that, he just went into Harry's, and he ordered 3 T66 turbos, with NOS. And a Motec exhaust!

    • spackbace on 11/02/2017 - 01:14
      +3

      Overnighted from Japan?

      • jenkemjunkie on 11/02/2017 - 19:58
        +2

        Yeah. And while They wait, I'll have the Tuna….no crust

        • Munki on 13/02/2017 - 14:01
          +1

          NOBODY LIKES THE TUNA!

        • PonyTable on 13/02/2017 - 16:12

          @Munki:Mr. Brian Earl Spilner…sounds like a serial killer. Is that who you are?

    • Speckled Jim on 11/02/2017 - 18:04
      +2

      Motec exhaust

      Fujitsubo.
      Motec are ECUs. How many times we gonna go over this?

  • lonix on 11/02/2017 - 10:55
    +2

    how do you know the mechanic hasn't swapped out other parts on the car too?

  • Kempe on 11/02/2017 - 14:26

    Forget the tyres you are mistaken they look just like I would expect, but would go to the police about them getting sticks

    • Speckled Jim on 11/02/2017 - 18:05
      +2

      Yeah OPs!
      Pics of sticks or you're being dicks.

      • mrwoo on 11/02/2017 - 21:20
        +1

        You just wrote that to get the clicks.

        • Speckled Jim on 12/02/2017 - 11:14

          Or get my kicks,
          with rust belt hicks,
          on Route sixty six?

  • Chef-Johnson on 11/02/2017 - 15:33

    Post details on blokes advice and let the mob do the rest

  • Conka on 11/02/2017 - 15:56
    +1

    What sort of poll is this?

    Where is the Bikies option??

  • Vent89 on 11/02/2017 - 18:39

    If it's worth anything. I just replaced my set of Michelin Primacy LC's (same as OP) on my 2007 Aurion sportivo. They lasted approx 90,000km and were rotated every 15k at each service. These tyres are very long lasting if you don't thrash them. For an aurion with only 30k on the clock with primacy LC's they look much more worn than they should be. Either they are the originals and the OP's parents like thrashing them/doing burnouts, or perhaps the mechanic did do a shifty and swap them out.

  • PJC on 11/02/2017 - 19:12
    +3

    We still don't have the spare tyre's age?

    • scheps on 11/02/2017 - 23:28
      +1

      probably don't matter now given apparently all 4 tyres are of different vintage.

      I might have missed it but are the current tyres road worthy?

      • PJC on 11/02/2017 - 23:35
        +1

        We went home aborting the roadworthy check since they did us a bad deed.

        Maybe not.

        • scheps on 11/02/2017 - 23:57
          +1

          ah, i missed that, thanks for pointing it out.

  • godofpizza on 11/02/2017 - 23:32

    can't find the post about the spare.. was it changed also?

    why would the mechanic swap out the tires where the alloys rims are worth way more and swapped over for steel radials..

  • Serapis on 12/02/2017 - 00:58
    +1

    Makes no sense, this would assume the mechanics had worn out tires of the same brand and dimensions in a room somewhere, bothered swapping them out for worn 30k tyres which would last another maybe 10000kms?

    Sounds more like overreaction from people who know nothing about their own car.

    Plus why would they go get 'long sticks' when there's plenty of items in a workshop you can use to hurt people (i.e Tire irons and breaker bars)? Sounds like someone's been watching too many movies with bar fights…

  • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2017 - 01:16

    What make/model/year is your spare tyre?

  • spixder on 12/02/2017 - 05:01
    +1

    If they were 225 tires, a set would cost around $1300 new, assuming if 60,000km is the life of the tires (poster above did a change at 90,000km), OP's tires would be round half life, i.e. worth $500 - 650. If you throw in a dodgy mechanic with a mate that has an aurion it doesn't really seem that far fetched.

    For me, if the mechanic was acting aggressive as described then there's a good chance ur old man got scammed.

    • Scab on 12/02/2017 - 07:18
      +1

      For me, if the mechanic was acting aggressive as described then there's a good chance ur old man got scammed.

      Maybe the mechanic was aggressive because someone accused him of fraud, I'd be more than agressive?

      And from the photos, those tyres are actually in good condition for 30K.

      They only have wheel alignment wear on the edge, which can happen very quickly.

      • spixder on 12/02/2017 - 13:18
        +1

        Know of any well regarded businesses that would:

        • be aggressive towards a customer regardless of the situation
        • have a worker pull out a "stick" to appear visually menacing

        If you do know some please let us all know so that we can steer clear.

  • bhm133 on 12/02/2017 - 08:20

    I've read half the post comments but all of what the OP (brother) updated. If 4 tyres were replaced the mechanic must provide receipt and tyres must be new. Pics show that one (at least) is worn. The story is unfortunate and in restrospect many things could have been done at the time. It may be too late at the moment as it is now a case of he said she said.

    I have had bad mechanic experiences as well. I was once to to f off and not come back after I noticed a piece of paint taken off the side of my door on a repair. Nothing to do with race. There was not a lot I could do as I noticed it 2 days later. In retrospect I should have looked over the car (which I now do everytime I take my cars in) and taken it up with the owner immediately/said I cannot pa and take delivery of car til sorted (then get further advice). The outcome probably wouldn't have changed much as the owner was a c#nt. Good news and karma is that the shop shut down a few months later. Hopefully this shop shuts soon too.

    • BartholemewH on 13/02/2017 - 23:20

      Sorry, but why 'must' the tyres replaced be new? Tyre shops and mechanics workshops have tons of used tyres, for 30 bucks a pop they'll fit em to the cheesecutters on your skid pig no worries. I think that if the OP's parents are selling the vehicle and one or two unroadworthy tyres are replaced with used but roadworthy tyres by negotiation, that would be believable.

  • thepigs on 12/02/2017 - 08:42

    i believe you. some mechanics are shonky. + the stress of running a business can make them do criminal things. I feel sorry for you, humans can be evil but no one was hurt and its just a bit of cash, so moving on is easy. Breathe in, breathe out.

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