The Gearbox Centre Kent LTD Opiniões 

I’m going to write my review in timeline order and I’ll leave any judgement up to you:
1st September 2021: Received written quotation for a “Fully remanufactured gearbox with 12 month unlimited mileage warranty” @ £2274 inc VAT.
22nd September 2021: Gearbox sent to the gearbox centre.
1st October 2021: They had chased for the fault codes which were sent on the 1st Oct.
6th October: Almost a week of not hearing anything, I sent a polite email asking for an update.
3rd November: I receive an update to say that my gearbox was severely damaged and they were ordering a “new unit”. For them to do that, they asked for full payment up front which I was happy to do. I paid on the same day.
4th November: Didn’t even know if the payment had gone through, chased for a receipt.
8th November: No receipt, no confirmation, and no date for my gearbox. James @ thegearbox centre replied with a screen shot of payment confirmation.
16th November: No receipt/invoice received. Still no date or any idea of lead time for my gearbox. I chased again. James replied with an invoice and informed me that the parts had arrived and that it would be worked on ASAP.
19th November: Gearbox delivered.
24th November: My mechanic called; the gearbox isn’t mine. The shell is from a 3.0 V6 diesel and it doesn’t fit. He also let me know that about 200ml of old, burnt oil had ran out when he opened the sump and that the gearbox was not refurbed.
25th November: Chased again, I’m racking up a hefty bill at this point. Very confused reply “the gearbox comes back dry so no oil in it”. Which is correct, if it is refurbed. At this point I start to question whether it has been reconditioned. Bit of back and forth, I sent photos that show metal filings. They finally admit that they “sourced another unit for you” but it definitely fits.
At this point my mechanic is unhappy, we don’t know where the gearbox is from and it’s a big roll of the dice. A 12month warranty means bugger all when investing nearly £3k it needs to last years.
My mechanic has been calling with no answer, car is on the ramp and he needs to move on to something else. Sales person speaks to him (we are 10 emails deep at this point).
My mechanic at this point has cut some pipes and welded them to make it fit. I need the car on the road, they are adamant it fits.
Receive an email to say that a technical will call my mechanic.
29th November: Nobody called my mechanic. I chase again. I ask that I am informed when this has happened.
2nd December: Email to say they’ve spoken to my mechanic. Guess what? He was right and it doesn’t fit. They arrange collection. I email to point out my costs, the fact that they’ve lifted a random gearbox from another car/scrap dealer etc. I asked for some photos during the rebuild, to save me having to get an independent to inspect it.
No reply.
13th December: “Hi James, I understand you've had the box back for a week now, any update?”
No reply.
20th December: “Hi James, Any update? Cheers”
Out of office reply. No return date, “please contact Marc.”
I send the thread over to Marc asking for an update.
No reply.
22nd December: Email from Jim at the gearbox centre to say that the gearbox is being delivered.
23rd December: I get a call from my mechanic. Another gearbox has arrived. It looks different. Guess what? It doesn’t fit. He’s fuming, feels bad and has a queue of customers. Fitting big auto gearboxes if a hefty job.
24th December: I get an email asking me to fill in a customer satisfaction survey (which I did). I don’t know who it goes to.
5th Jan 2022: I’ve asked for an update. I have still been polite, with a threat of not being polite.

7th Jan: Chase again, get through to Dan (Operations Manager). He promises to look into it, I send him the timeline so far.
10th Jan: I get a call from Neil (Workshop Manager). They’ve agreed to collect the car, sort the gearbox, send photos to prove that the gearbox is refurbed. Pencilled in for collection Thursday 13th Jan.
17th Jan: No communication. I didn’t even know if the car had been collected so I chased up again.
20th Jan: No contact, I chase again. Neil had said it would take about a week. It’s been a week.
Neil replies “as you know the car has been collected.” Car booked in for 28th Jan before they even look at it.
I reply, asking why they haven’t bothered looking at it in a week!
No reply.
2nd Feb: Not heard a thing. I ask Dan to call me after trying to call 4 times. Dan calls, they haven’t looked at the car yet because “there is another car on the ramp, should have that sorted in the next day or two and I’ll be in touch”.
9th Feb. NOTHING. Will be asking for full refund, car back and expenses paid which have racked up to £1500.

And that’s where I am. No car, no money and no compatible gearbox. I’d say don’t touch them with a bargepole but if you’ve made it this far I’m sure you’ve already reached that conclusion.

This company has keep a vehicle for a ridiculous length of time, giving the owner one excuse after another. Additionally, sending it back with broken and missing parts (not in that condition at hand over) and the transit company embarrassed and empathetic at the drop off. Additionally, the original problem not adequately resolved rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. Months have passed and the situation is ongoing leaving the owner without transport. Naive and unsuspecting potential customers need to be publicly informed and this company should be legally held responsible.