Puncture Repair // National Tyres Complaint

[jackj]

Hi all,

First off, apologies as this is going to be one hell of a rant! ha

Anyway, went to pump my tyres up this morning and 3 of my tyres had lost the usual 1/2 PSI since I last pumped them up around 2 weeks ago, however the passenger side rear tyres had lost around 18 PSI.

Initial thoughts were, obviously I've got a puncture.

Rang around the usual garages in the Middlesbrough area, but unfortunately the majority were closed because of the Royal Wedding presumeably.

National Tyres were open, and although I've had previous reservations about going to them I thought, it's only a puncture repair, nothing too major so they will do the job no worries.

Took my car in and 10 minutes later the guy came through to reception where I was sitting and said "Where have you been driving this"? - I replied "just my usual commuting routes etc." (which I had) and he said "you've got 3 identical nails in the tyre, and you will have to buy a new one".

I had an instant feeling that this couldn't have been the case, and thought that they were just trying to get £170+ for a Michelin Pilot tyre out of me instead of the £10 for the puncture repair. I said that I would get some costs for the tyre before making a decision.

I then realised I hadn't tried a tyre garage which I used a few years back with other cars and had good experiences so I popped in there. They found just 1 nail in my tyre, not 3 as National said and I have now got the puncture repaired.

What are other people's experiences with National Tyres? Is it just the Middlesbrough branch that seem to con people into buying what they don't really need (not just me, plenty of other people have said this also locally).

And also, what are peoples views on puncture repairs? I presume I should really invest into a new tyre ASAP? Is this the case?

Many thanks for your help in advance guys, I look forward to getting some feedback

Jack

 

[Shane.]

I use a small independent garage instead, I had a nail in one of my tires not so long ago, took it in there quick repair cost a tenner and has been fine ever since. I don't trust bigger chain garages personally, I find the small independent ones work on a reputation basis and bad comment or 2 against them could easily destroy that. Also they'll usually do things abit cheaper for cash which is always a good thing

 

[jackj]

Yeah I feel exactly the same Shane - well said. How long have you had the puncture repair? I'm just thinking I should get a new tyre sooner rather than later?

 

[brough74]

I use a local guy who takes his time. Ive had bad expriences at bigger chains in the past

A repair will be fine and will last the life of the tyre if done properly

 

[Shane.]

As above, mine has been on just over a month and no signs of leakage, if the repairs done properly then it'll be fine. I won't be changing until it needs changing tbh

 

[jackj]

I use a local guy who takes his time. Ive had bad expriences at bigger chains in the past

A repair will be fine and will last the life of the tyre if done properly

I'm hoping this one will last the life of this tyre as the tyre has about 6mm on it so still pretty new - I think smaller chains is definately the way to go, it's just so annoying that these "bigger chains" basically lie to people to get more money from them.

Felt like I was on Watchdog Rogue Traders this morning or something haha

 

[jackj]

As above, mine has been on just over a month and no signs of leakage, if the repairs done properly then it'll be fine. I won't be changing until it needs changing tbh

Thanks for the re-assurance Shane, I will just keep an eye on it and give it a good look over each week when I pump my tyres up Fingers crossed! I will report back if anything happens

 

[jungleman]

as above it should be fine, ive done sustained very high speed driving in europe on a tyre thats been repaired and never had any issues so i wouldnt worry about it

 

[Lings]

I never trust these places always watch what they are doing ..As said the repair will last the tyres life .

 

[NHN]

Dont worry about the repair, given the nature of the repair designs they're very reliable, but of course if its near the edge then its either a non starter for safety reasons & new tyre, but since they repaired, then shouldnt be an issue.

If it was me I'd ring there head office & complain about the rip off tactics & threaten them with trading standards, its a matter of principle on these matters.

 

[jackj]

Massive thanks guys for the re-assurances - much appreciated I have more peace of mind now so again thank you.

I think I will ring the National Tyres Head Office actually, as it's out of order what they are doing!

 

[N8]

National are the worst!!

 

[jackj]

National are the worst!!

They actually are! Tried to call their Head Office but no answer - I'm not one to complain usually but this has really wound me up, I'm going to try again tomorrow

 

[JCMCN]

I have a similar issue with National, a bit more detailed however. When in about a complaint on a tyre that had done 9000mls and worn down the guy told me the reason was a 'screw' on the outer wall!!!!!the screw was fresh as it was shiny and had been picked up on route...typical. with the complaint he told me i would have to buy another tyre, they would send old one to Michelin for inspection and after a few weeks(6 to 8) I 'may' get a refund. I told him I would think about it. He then said "well it is illegal for me to let you drive on the road with that damaged tyre so you would be best to pay for new one and have it fitted just now and that would be £150"....now he's a policeman/tyre fitter!!!! Oh, Ok said I. "and there is no point buying one as this would offset the balance of the car so you will need to buy two tyres and that would be £300!!!" This guy must think I'm an idiot, however...this is the best bit " We don't have any Michelin tyres in today, as it's a holiday weekend we wont have them until next week, so you would be best to fit a budget tyre just now and we'll call you when the other two are in" Now he's really trying to take the ****. "the only budget tyre we have in stock is an Avon and that will be £80 + Vat + Fitting+ Valve + disposal Total would be £392 please". Now he thinks I'm a total idiot!!! 9,000 miles back I just payed £500 for four tyres now he's trying to force me to buy another three at £392. At this point I laughed and walked away

 

[jackj]

I think this really does underline how bad National Tyres are. Unbelieveable. This is clearly a "national" problem for National Tyres, excuse the pub ha. So annoying. Thing is, we are lucky in a way that we are aware when they are trying to con us and feed us lies, but the majority of other people will most likely panic and buy expensive parts that they probably don't even need. Infuriating!

 

[akbarirfan]

I have used National here in Birmingham and was impressed with the manager, he was very friendly and helpful.

All I did there was get tyres fitted that I had bought online - simple job, already paid for before hand so no issues there.

With regards to punctures, I always go to places that have been recommended - independent specialists. Last time I went, I checked my tyre together with the owner to make sure everything was legit. Excellent service.

 

[asasprey]

I have a similar issue with National, a bit more detailed however. When in about a complaint on a tyre that had done 9000mls and worn down the guy told me the reason was a 'screw' on the outer wall!!!!!the screw was fresh as it was shiny and had been picked up on route...typical. with the complaint he told me i would have to buy another tyre, they would send old one to Michelin for inspection and after a few weeks(6 to 8) I 'may' get a refund. I told him I would think about it. He then said "well it is illegal for me to let you drive on the road with that damaged tyre so you would be best to pay for new one and have it fitted just now and that would be £150"....now he's a policeman/tyre fitter!!!! Oh, Ok said I. "and there is no point buying one as this would offset the balance of the car so you will need to buy two tyres and that would be £300!!!" This guy must think I'm an idiot, however...this is the best bit " We don't have any Michelin tyres in today, as it's a holiday weekend we wont have them until next week, so you would be best to fit a budget tyre just now and we'll call you when the other two are in" Now he's really trying to take the ****. "the only budget tyre we have in stock is an Avon and that will be £80 + Vat + Fitting+ Valve + disposal Total would be £392 please". Now he thinks I'm a total idiot!!! 9,000 miles back I just payed £500 for four tyres now he's trying to force me to buy another three at £392. At this point I laughed and walked away

Just reading this seriously wound me up. Im a technician for a subaru garage and we would never ever do this kind of thing! Really winds me up when you hear well known garages taking the p*ss like that. I do puncture repairs on michelin pilots and potenza's etc and i have never had a problem, now if your tyre was a runflat then they would be right in saying it should be replaced. But offsetting balance, pshhhhht...

 

[JCMCN]

Perhaps National are needing to do some Customer Relations Training rather than just Sales Training

 

[jackj]

Perhaps National are needing to do some Customer Relations Training rather than just Sales Training

Most definately - absolutely awful company!

 

[FranA3]

nearly all big garages are like that unfortunatly matey halfords are particularly bad for extra work that the car didnt need i use a chain of tyre centre's call etb we use them for my work so i know them very well and know they wouldnt rip me off i wouldnt take my car anywhere else now , and they take very good car of my car/wheels as they know i love my car and painted my wheels myself so would be fuming if one of them got scratched when having some work done

 

[jackj]

Yeah true Fran, as mentioned earlier - I wouldn't usually have used National, but because most other places were shut (Royal Wedding day) I thought it's ony a puncture repair - nothing can go wrong - obviously I was wrong haha!

National, Kwik-**** (sorry Kwik-Fit), Halfrauds (sorry Halfords) haha all big no-no's!

 

[FranA3]

haha fair enough mate