Salaam
I own a Mercedes Benz and was recommend to go to these guys (Sadiq Ustaad and his sons) for its maintenance.
First experience, a simple oil change for which they charged me Rs 500.00 as labor. I thought that was great.
Went again to get all the fluids of the car changed ( Transmission oil, break oil, power steering and coolant) - Charged me Rs 5000.00 as labor I did not mind as I thought atleast these guys are honest.
Now, the Merc is 100,000kms genuine with service history from Shahnawaz. I felt there were issues with the pick as it was not very responsive.
Took it to them, they said the pressure plates of the gear box were fried and the Mass Airflow Sensor needs chaging and would cost me approx Rs100,000 in total. The shifting was fine though but they were adamant it was the pressure plates.
Given my nature to trust people, I was about to go ahead with it when my father took me to his friends Faisal and Azaam at Khan Autos / 4X4 South. Faisal drove the car and said the shifting was fine as suggested changing the Mass Air Flow Sensor. This cost me Rs 25,000 with the labour and everything and my car was brand new again.
Now - Allah knows better if Shan Sadiq and his brothers were trying to pull a fast one on me or not. I mean it is their work they are specialists would they not have known that there is nothing wrong with the gear box and its only the sensor which has worn off?
When I realized how they almost defrauded me, I thought that they must have cheated me on the fluids I bought from them as well. They charged me 'cost' for a bottle of Green Abro coolant at Rs 2400 approx. On enquiring from Zafcom Lubricants and Khan Autos (Cheena) the price was actually Rs600-700. When I confronted Shaan he said they must be selling the Chinese version.
I think that is a whole lot of crap to be honest.
Some months later I came accross a party who purchased a Toyota Prado with a 1KD diesal engine. Engine was 100% solid as confirmed by many mechanics and it had developed faults in its Nozzels. These guys made the mistake and took it to SPORTS Motors who claimed the engine was gone. There was not a single bit of blow from the oil dip etc and its pick was 100% so how can the engine just all of a sudden. We advised him to take it to another mechanic given our own experience with Sports Motors as we thought they were pulling a fast one on them as well. Upon taking it to another mechanic, they were advised that the new set of Nozzels used were messed up and that is why the engine was throwing smoke. The engine was in 100% condition otherwise.
If we had not advised them to take it to another mechanic, Sports motors would have probably charged them for an engine overhaul which was never necessary.
To conclude, they might be honest initially but when they get the chance it feels like they just want to rip you off by lying about what the acutal problems are with your car.
Please be careful when you take your expensive vehicles to them - if you care for your hard earned money.
There are many mechanics all over Karachi who are equally skilled in the maintenance of Big Cars (mercs, BMWS ec) so I would advise you not go to these people
Thanks