Center City Auto Service

Unsatisfactory/Billed for gas but vehicle returned with LESS gas then it went in with. They never fixed the initial issue and now I have more issues! I dropped off my 2003 Mazda MPV because it wouldn't start. I also advised I needed a new inspection sticker and asked them to do that as well. They had my vehicle for over a month, I picked it up Saturday and it won't start again. Same issue, $800 later. I was also billed for the Inspection sticker that was never applied. I was billed $35 for gas however I brought it in with half tank and it was sent back with 1/4 tank. I was billed a "Diagnostic" fee multiple times for the exhaust alone and when I received the vehicle back not only doesn't it start but when it does the temp guage no longer works. I called to question what was done and how/why and was basically yelled at and told he didn't have time for this, someone called me and I approved the work. This is trickery as I explained, I am not in the vehicle repair industry and of course agreed to pay for whatever fixed the issue.Desired SettlementI do not entrust Center City with my vehicle any longer and do not wish for them to "correct" the issue. I would like to be refunded all but the material costs as I feel the time they had the vehicle and the condition it came back in warrants "No service rendered". I should not be responsible to refill the gas and pay monthly insurance on top of the $800 I was billed while they've not only had possession but admittedly used the vehicle to "drive around" in an attempt to "reset the drive cycle". Business Response Business supplied email: [redacted]@comcast.netUse this address for any contact with the Revdex.comBusiness Response Mrs [redacted]'s vehicle was brought in as a running problem, misfiring engine. Battery had died. Needed state inspection,and had an exhaust leak. 4 pcm codes were retrieved,P0304-cylinder 4 misfire, P0174-lean condition bank 2, P0401-egr flow, P0106-map sensor on a earlier visit to our shop. Since the battery had died, all codes were erased. The only one to return was the P0304. It also had a bad exhaust leak. I did a complete diagnosis and came up with a bad ignition coil on #4 cylinder. The exhaust leak was a rotted flange and gasket. It had a burnt out headlight socket for the right front and needed a lower control arm for the inspection. I spoke with the customer multiple times and in great length about the engine light and the possible expensive repair to the exhaust if I couldn't save the pipes. I gave her a wide range of prices on the repairs and based on the cost of the exhaust repair she was willing to spend up to $1000.00 to get the vehicle running and a state inspection. I was able to save the pipes and do a repair on the exhaust which incurred a bill of $110.00. The misfire was repaired for a cost of $240.00. The burnt wiring for the headlight was repaired for $52.00. The lower control arm was repaired for a cost of $315.00. After service engine lite repairs are made the vehicle has to go through a drive cycle for the emmissions to go through. We drove this vehicle for many miles to attempt to complete the drive cycle, hence the fuel that we had to put in the car. We had asked the customer if they wanted to pick up the car and drive it themselves or for us to keep driving it.We had noted ourselves that the car had a hard start after driving and passed [redacted] info along to the customer. It is also noted on there bill. Their main concern was to get a sticker as to allow them to drive the car legally. The exhaust repair alone could have run up to $450.00 but I saved all the rusted parts and was able to repair the gasket and flange. I clearly stayed in contact with the customer every step of the way and kept them informed as to progress. It is stated on the customers bill that it had a hard start issue and needed other work. It was evident that the codes pulled on an earlier visit indicated further issues but were erased due to the dead battery. I also reset their car alarm which had been going off since the battery had died at no charge. In no way did I misinform them about the needed repairs or the possible additional work needed for the starting problems but they did not wish to pursue that issue at that time.As far as the stabilizer links, I was not working at the time when they returned but I understand that the dealer told them that the new links were bad, they could have returned for a free replacement but chose not to .They had opted for the cheapest parts available. They were issued a check for the full amount paid for the repair.I will forward you a copy of the repair orders that the customer did not supply to you and you will clearly see that other problems were noted on the bill. The goal had been to spend as little as possible to get the car through inspection . In 28 years at this company this is only my second complaint. my reputation has always been to be honest with the customer and to treat them with the most respect and I believe I fulfilled that to Mrs Ayayla. very sincerely, Stephen Malochleb mgr/head tech A.S.E.master Certified 30+ years. Thank you

Unsatisfactory/Billed for gas but vehicle returned with LESS gas then it went in with. They never fixed the initial issue and now I have more issues! I dropped off my 2003 Mazda MPV because it wouldn't start. I also advised I needed a new inspection sticker and asked them to do that as well. They had my vehicle for over a month, I picked it up Saturday and it won't start again. Same issue, $800 later. I was also billed for the Inspection sticker that was never applied. I was billed $35 for gas however I brought it in with half tank and it was sent back with 1/4 tank. I was billed a "Diagnostic" fee multiple times for the exhaust alone and when I received the vehicle back not only doesn't it start but when it does the temp guage no longer works. I called to question what was done and how/why and was basically yelled at and told he didn't have time for this, someone called me and I approved the work. This is trickery as I explained, I am not in the vehicle repair industry and of course agreed to pay for whatever fixed the issue.Desired SettlementI do not entrust Center City with my vehicle any longer and do not wish for them to "correct" the issue. I would like to be refunded all but the material costs as I feel the time they had the vehicle and the condition it came back in warrants "No service rendered". I should not be responsible to refill the gas and pay monthly insurance on top of the $800 I was billed while they've not only had possession but admittedly used the vehicle to "drive around" in an attempt to "reset the drive cycle". Business Response Business supplied email: [redacted]@comcast.netUse this address for any contact with the Revdex.comBusiness Response Mrs [redacted]'s vehicle was brought in as a running problem, misfiring engine. Battery had died. Needed state inspection,and had an exhaust leak. 4 pcm codes were retrieved,P0304-cylinder 4 misfire, P0174-lean condition bank 2, P0401-egr flow, P0106-map sensor on a earlier visit to our shop. Since the battery had died, all codes were erased. The only one to return was the P0304. It also had a bad exhaust leak. I did a complete diagnosis and came up with a bad ignition coil on #4 cylinder. The exhaust leak was a rotted flange and gasket. It had a burnt out headlight socket for the right front and needed a lower control arm for the inspection. I spoke with the customer multiple times and in great length about the engine light and the possible expensive repair to the exhaust if I couldn't save the pipes. I gave her a wide range of prices on the repairs and based on the cost of the exhaust repair she was willing to spend up to $1000.00 to get the vehicle running and a state inspection. I was able to save the pipes and do a repair on the exhaust which incurred a bill of $110.00. The misfire was repaired for a cost of $240.00. The burnt wiring for the headlight was repaired for $52.00. The lower control arm was repaired for a cost of $315.00. After service engine lite repairs are made the vehicle has to go through a drive cycle for the emmissions to go through. We drove this vehicle for many miles to attempt to complete the drive cycle, hence the fuel that we had to put in the car. We had asked the customer if they wanted to pick up the car and drive it themselves or for us to keep driving it.We had noted ourselves that the car had a hard start after driving and passed [redacted] info along to the customer. It is also noted on there bill. Their main concern was to get a sticker as to allow them to drive the car legally. The exhaust repair alone could have run up to $450.00 but I saved all the rusted parts and was able to repair the gasket and flange. I clearly stayed in contact with the customer every step of the way and kept them informed as to progress. It is stated on the customers bill that it had a hard start issue and needed other work. It was evident that the codes pulled on an earlier visit indicated further issues but were erased due to the dead battery. I also reset their car alarm which had been going off since the battery had died at no charge. In no way did I misinform them about the needed repairs or the possible additional work needed for the starting problems but they did not wish to pursue that issue at that time.As far as the stabilizer links, I was not working at the time when they returned but I understand that the dealer told them that the new links were bad, they could have returned for a free replacement but chose not to .They had opted for the cheapest parts available. They were issued a check for the full amount paid for the repair.I will forward you a copy of the repair orders that the customer did not supply to you and you will clearly see that other problems were noted on the bill. The goal had been to spend as little as possible to get the car through inspection . In 28 years at this company this is only my second complaint. my reputation has always been to be honest with the customer and to treat them with the most respect and I believe I fulfilled that to Mrs Ayayla. very sincerely, Stephen Malochleb mgr/head tech A.S.E.master Certified 30+ years. Thank you