U.K. garages and their slow or lack of contact

Put my car in for a full service and MOT on Saturday, with added notes for the garage for a couple bits of extra work.

I was contacted the day before to confirm the work and was notified that it could take until “some time Monday” as parts over the weekend and closing times. No worries! I’m in no rush to get it back, I’ve also been to this garage a couple times, they’re good guys and the price is right.

Monday afternoon, car has failed MOT for a different reason and they can’t get the part until Tuesday morning, rough estimate on price but “I’ll be in touch with a real cost tomorrow” Yeah sure no worries, I’m in no rush for the car, as said.

Tuesday comes and goes…..so today (Wednesday) 2ish, after still not hearing, I call the garage for an update, “I think the guys are waiting for a part, they’re at lunch atm but give me 5-10 and I’ll call you back” ok no worries, it’s now 7.10pm, garage closed an hour ago, I can assume I’m not hearing from them so tomorrow the cycle continues!

In over 15 years of owning a car, I’ve only found one garage, in Cardiff, that actually made contact in a timely manner. 9 times out of 10 I’ve had to call to check how it’s going and it’s usually met with “oh I was just about to call you! We’re just finishing now so you can come and collect” no matter how late they are….

A few years back my car ended up in a garage in London for 8 days, diagnostic for the problem i described was only done after day 4, 2 days to get the part (over weekend) 2 days to fit it, but, 580miles on my tripometer…..that was met with a significant reimbursement….but anyway… Why are garages so slow to make contact?! I get it in a small owner worker shop but a lot of the time it’s someone’s designated job! Do they not want their space freeing up for the next car? Does anyone agree or is it just me, maybe I’ve had real bad luck?!