Oil N GO

Friendly staff, well organized, informative, and competent. BUT, too much up-selling. I want a simple oil-change and find it nearly impossible to get just that. Seems like they've got a minimum spend threshold they're looking to achieve like around $100.

Very good experience. In and out quickly and will return as needed. Super nice mechanics and confident.

Oil N Go in Essex Junction VT and South Burlington VT have serviced my cars for over 10 years. Their service is always friendly, and while they may recommend some routine service I never feel pressured into anything. The technicians are all knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with.

I was in South Burlington Oil n Go July 10,11 and 12 with my two cars and waited each time for the service or repairs. I got to observe first hand, a well run operation under the direction of [redacted].
I was 10 minutes early before opening on the first day but [redacted] came right out to see to my needs which was to be a simple oil change and a check of the cars battery. It turned out to be more extensive than that and included their finding a broken rod on the back wheel. [redacted] kept me informed at every turn.
Many customers were in and out during the time I was there and they all were treated the same way by [redacted]. All of the team members did great. [redacted] stood out.
The other two days were reruns of the first.
I am a very happy customer and look forward to my next time at Oil n Go.

Review: Oil and Go offers a Vermont state inspection. We were told the inspection did not pass because 1. the headlights needed to be restored and 2. there was rust on the rear brakes. Shawn, the technician from Oil and Go, said, "Rear rotors are rusty, zero pad life."

We questioned where it was documented that the headlights needed to be restored as part of the state inspection. They couldn't site it so it was removed as a requirement.

I knew the brakes were in good and working condition. I questioned the state requirement on rust and was pointed to #3 in the Brake Rotors, which requires a visual inspection for rust. They quoted the job to fix the issue around $300.

That night, I purchased new brake pads from [redacted]. I found that there was little to no rust on the brake rotors. Please see pictures attached. Also, found that the brake pads had a significant amount of life left (50 - 75% of the new pads). I replaced the rear brake pads.

I also found on the Vermont DMV website the manual on requirements for a car. The document can be found here: http://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/pdf/DMV-VN112-Vehicle_Inspection_Manual.p...⇄ />
On page 80 of the DMV inspection manual, #3 reads, "3. Rust exists on contact surface of rotor or drum." As you can see from the picture, rust did NOT exists on the contact surface (where the pad meets the rotor). There was a small ring of rust on the top and bottom of the rotor since the pad is smaller than the width of the rotor. That ring of rust will occur on new brakes.

After replacing the pads, I returned to Oil and Go for them to complete the inspection. They asked who did the work and I told them I did it myself. They asked if I ground the rust off the rotors and said that I simply replaced the pads. Even though the rotors had not been changed, they said they looked a lot better and passed the inspection.

If I didn't have the knowledge and skill to replace my own brake pads and assess the rust damage on the brake drum, then I would have been forced to pay $300 for work that was not needed.Desired Settlement: The whole process cost me an extra $22.99 for new brake pads and about two hours of my time. This was completely unnecessary. The vehicle should have passed the state inspection as-is. Trying to sell additional service as a requirement for the state inspection is unethical.

I would like to be refunded the amount of the state inspection. Total amount was $40.00. This will help cover the cost of the new brake pads and the time I spent resolving this issue.

Business

Response:

Mr [redacted],

My company and staff follow the state of vermont inspection law to letter. We found the vehicle to have concern areas in the rear rotor area only and nothing to do with brake pads as your receipt states. Also the condition of the plastic headlights which is clear was and is that of a great concern for safety. I allowed my staff to strongly recommend the headlight service and not fail you for it per customer service. You and or any customer are valued and not steered or pressured into any service or sale. We are a service buisness not a parts buisness. Buying and installing your own brake pads and grinding the rust off is and what was needed and that is why your car was issued a vermont state inspection sticker when the rotor concern was corrected. As is seen in OILNGO's history with the Revdex.com of the openly public Revdex.com comments or complaints have been very consistent with our dedication of honesty and integrity. If further state inspection law and or information is needed please contact [redacted] at the dept of motor vehicles at 802-828-2094.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint.

I did not grind rust off, as you have suggested. The attached photos show the front and back sides of the rear brakes, taken immediately after OILNGO failed the inspection. As you can see in the photos, the rust only exists in a small ring on the outer perimeter, where the pads do not (and never have) been in contact the brake rotors. The state requires that there is no rust on the contact surface, which would indicate an issue if the pad is not in contact with the rotor. However, rust along the top edge of the rotor is normal and not an acceptable reason to fail an inspection. Also, the technician said, "Rear rotars are rusty, zero pad life." Please note the zero pad life was the reason I purchased new brake pads. That was simply not true. I noticed that you did not document that in the receipt, but it was said over the phone.

Business

Response:

Dear Mr. [redacted] As indicated in my response our area of concern for vermont state inspection was rear rotor surface. Our ability to see all areas lead to the reason for failure. The fact that you disassembled and found repairs to be quick and easy in no way reason for a refund of the inspection fee. We hold no customers responsible to do repairs at our place, and in fact have given the 72-hours for customers to return N/C do to the reason we know some customers are do-it yourself kind of people.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint.

I asked the Vermont state inspector for his opinion on the situation. He reviewed the pictures of the rotors (attached to this complaint in a previous note). In the state inspector's own words, the rust alone was not a reason to fail the inspection. He said that the brake pads (i.e. pad life) would have played an important part of the overall decision. He said that I could have asked for a road test of the brakes, which would have passed. However, you did not offer that as an option when I insisted that the brakes were in good shape.

Also, you have not addressed the fact that [redacted] said we had zero pad life. Was that a mistake? Are going to deny what he said to defend your flawless integrity that you claim? Contrary to [redacted]’s statement, the brake pads had plenty of life left.

The bottom line is that you attempted to force me into new brakes when they were not needed. That is bad business. I will strongly discourage friends and family from doing business with Oil n Go.

I want to commend the Oil N Go on David Drive in Essex Junction for their great service,

honesty, and willingness to go the extra distance.

I have been going there for several years, and have never been unhappy. The people there are great; friendly, keep their word, and they are just basically nice people.

I have been a customer of Oil N Go! for some time.

ALWAYS have a good experience there. They always do what they say they will do and always charge what they say they will charge and all of my interactions have been positive.

Staff is very courteous too.

Years ago my wife and I both tried their competitor - just up Shelburne Road from Oil N Go! She and I both had bad experiences with the competitor.

We wil continue to use Oil N Go!

I needed a state inspection, and only had 90 minutes until an appointment, which I stated to the employee. He said they likely did not have time to perform the work, but would check. He went to the garage from the waiting room, then returned saying I was in luck. He told me that there was a $40 charge, even if the car failed inspection. The car was running fine, so I agreed. Within minutes the mechanic summoned me to the garage. He pointed out a couple of bulbs out (fine with me), but he also had the rear tires off and the car on a lift. He pointed out "surface rust" on one of the rear rotors. For this reason he stated, it did not pass inspection and that he could give me an estimate on replacing them. The rotors had very low mileage on them, and the car was not experiencing any brake problems. I said no, and asked that they not continue. They charged me $40 for 10 minutes worth of work. My take is: they knew I had very little time, and looked for something that is subjective like rust on the brake rotors, just to get my $40. I understand that the state recently passed new laws regarding inspection, but I feel that this business is using it as an opportunity to take advantage of customers.

Every time I go to Oil n Go, I am amazed at how kind and friendly everyone who works there is. No matter what time of day it is, they are always polite, professional and very helpful. They don't force themselves on you when your vehicle is or will be in need of some type of service/part. It's nice to know that being a woman, they DON'T try to take advantge of me especially since I am far from even an amateur with car knowledge.

Thank you!!

I live local and am a long time customer of this business. I am completely satisfied w/the service (s) they provide. They are quick, efficient and courteous. I will continue to take my business to them!

Amazing, attentive and trustworthy service every time. Very personable and so nice to have our car serviced at a locally owned business. Thank you [redacted] and [redacted]!