DaddyCee Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) a garage that disconnects your dashcam? I had a recent service and MOT at a garage and after reviewing the video footage, I saw the car being taken for an MOT at 10:00am and then nothing until I collected the car at 17:30pm the following evening. When questioned I was advised that the dashcam was disconnected because: A. they were worried that the camera would run down the battery - I advised it wasn't on a permanent live, only ignition activated then they said B. the car was in our pound overnight and though it is locked, we have had trouble with people breaking in to cars to steal things (plausible) However I still don't trust this as why disconnect at 10:00am if the car isn't due to be locked in their pound until after 18:00pm. Also no footage of the car being driven back from the MOT test station or the car being worked on for the service. Would you use this garage again? they are a backstreet garage, but really good with high performance vehicles, or so I thought. Any trusted garage in the Bristol area that members would like to recommend please? Cheers, Edited February 22, 2017 by DaddyCee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevv Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'd say no, but then I don't trust anyone... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Personally I wouldn't be reviewing the footage after a service in the first place, certainly don't on mine. I either trust the garage, or I don't: What's on the footage is neither here nor there. Not the world's worst idea though if you suspect something or have been caught out before, I will admit that. It sounds like to me you've made your mind up about them already, and won't use them again. For me though, I'd be happy to use them again and just ensure that they know you want the camera left connected next time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyCee Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Good advice Dan about asking to have the camera connected next time. I haven't decided whether to use or not to use them again though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Just ask them to leave it on next time. See if they will comply. When I took my car to Halfords I checked my dashcam footage after. They had left it on, and it showed them being useless and abusing my car. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Those excuses are cobblers. Ask them to leave it alone next time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyCee Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 I feel I should add that since getting the car back, there is a droning / humming sound that is very audible at around 40mph. I hoping it is wheel bearing but I'm fearing something more expensive is lurking round the corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I feel I should add that since getting the car back, there is a droning / humming sound that is very audible at around 40mph. I hoping it is wheel bearing but I'm fearing something more expensive is lurking round the corner Was the missus in the car at the time? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 They should not be touching the dashcam - thats not their property, it had nothing to do with the repair and it only adds to distrust hence your post. Mechanics in garages get up to plenty of high jinks, most of it harmless enough, maybe they thought it was running all the time and disconnected it so nothing was captured during the time it was being worked on? Either way, just go somewhere else next time thats the beauty of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 You will find that quite a few garages, including major organisations will not carry out work on your car if the cam is on, If you do not agree to switching the cam off, they will more than likely refuse to carry out the work. I think that the reason is obvious to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyCee Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yes may be I am being too overcautious or naive to think that garages would care about the customers property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jords Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 The dash cam would only be recording whilst the car is running, not all day as the work was being carried out. Sounds suspect to me, but there's no proof of anything wrong being done. Some dashcams are hard wired in, like the blackvue so it wouldn't be as simple as 'disconnecting' it. They would have to take the memory car out of it so it didn't record. In short, no evidence no crime. Guessing from you posting this you aren't all that happy about the situation though. Any mechanics in the trade willing to offer an opinion???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Nobody wants someone with half an Internets so called knowledge watching them doing a job and then questioning them. The TV is full of programs with recorded info being taken out of context, who needs the aggro. If the car is fine then stop worrying about them and just enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jords Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Nobody wants someone with half an Internets so called knowledge watching them doing a job and then questioning them. The TV is full of programs with recorded info being taken out of context, who needs the aggro. If the car is fine then stop worrying about them and just enjoy it. To be fair that is a good point.. But he said it only records when ignition is on. So not all day whilst they are working on it. I'm trying to understand everybody's point of view here. They've disconnected a security feature the customer has put in, maybe could have been avoided by telling him first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 The OP said the car is now making a strange noise though? I think if a garage is going to start disconnecting equipment unrelated to the work being carried out then they should be asking permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 My MOT tester used to remove them all together for the MOT sighting that they obstructed view, he did the same with air fresheners too, but he also put on the advisory that he removed items from drivers view prior to test. Most testers don't bother at all. In my exp footage just shows a close up view of the bonnet for the most part. I'd be more inclined to check before and mileage if you suspect joyriding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiddletoM Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Maybe temporarily put the dashcam in the front bumper so it can see out between the lower vents. they would never check there. but to be honest I simply wouldn't take my car to a garage I didn't trust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Just ask them to leave it on next time. See if they will comply. When I took my car to Halfords I checked my dashcam footage after. They had left it on, and it showed them being useless and abusing my car. Did you complain about this? Big company that is scared of bad press. Although each branch is treated as individual, its still the halfords banner. Id say bring it to mine next time and ill look after it, but Burton is a trek from Wakefield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Also forgot to mention in my previous post that in some cases it is a garage insurance requirement that cams are disconnected, so this will become an even bigger issue in the future for those that are concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaddyCee Posted February 22, 2017 Author Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) But how would one know this to be the case? Do we now have to ask a garage whether they have a policy to allow or deny a vehicle from being checked if a dashcam is installed? I agree with the above that a courtesy call to confirm the intentions would have been a much better way to proceed. I think the dashcam was disconnected for the MOT as not to obstruct the drivers view and the garage didn't put it back in place. The camera wasn't just disconnected it was physically removed and placed on the passengers seat. Edited February 22, 2017 by DaddyCee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jords Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 To go a little off topic... If the dash cam was removed for the mot as it blocks drivers view, would it not be useless in the event of an accident as the drivers sight was obstructed by the camera?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 No. Unless it was the driver's fault of course, but in that case you'd be ripping the dashcam out yourself quick smart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Most garages ask you to sign a declaration when you leave the car in there possession for work to be carried out. The most up to date garages will have the cam conditions in there declarations. But be honest, who reads these declarations before signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 To go a little off topic... If the dash cam was removed for the mot as it blocks drivers view, would it not be useless in the event of an accident as the drivers sight was obstructed by the camera?? Dash cams have to fitted in a certain position so as not to obstruct the driver,s view and also so that the driver can not view the data as it is being recorded. It is an offence to not position the cam in the correct position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay84 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 some garages record the whole service for you to follow on a tablet if that kind of thing floats your boat. Customers have been known to complain about dashcam footage when they can hear techs swearing in the back ground. In this instance id say it was removed for mot and then not replaced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.