I recently used Nationwide Autos for them to service my car.

3 weeks ago I was driving into work only to find that I had a heavy vibration coming from my front wheels and the steering became increasable vague, I immediately pulled over.

I rang the RAC and they inspected the car, the RAC technician said have I had the car serviced recently. I explained yes, Nationwide Autos 4 weeks ago.

The RAC technician showed me that on both front tyres all the wheels bolts were loose including the locking wheel nuts and had the wrong bolts fitted; in fact he loosened them by hand and took only two turns for two of the bolts to come away from the car.

The RAC state that steel wheel bolts designed for my spare wheel were fitted to alloy wheels and none where not torque. The correct alloy wheel bolts were with the locking wheel nut remover. The RAC wrote a report to all this.

I made a complaint to there Head Office informing them of all this and requesting my money back etc

I received a letter saying that this will be investigated.

A Manager rang me and said that this is all been taken quite seriously and stated that on this day when my car was been serviced, in fact three people actually checked my car over the technician the Manager and an auditor, after this it was then it was all road tested. I pointed out that it was not road tested and this is documented on the invoice and I find this all suspect.

He said that did the RAC not say that this should have happened sooner than six weeks after the service, I said no. -- It has only been 4 weeks and not six weeks. I explained that I have spoken to a number of mechanics in our works workshops and all have said it depends on driving styles and could have happened sooner or even later if they had only nipped the wheel nuts up. But with the wrong wheel nuts - that was very wrong and very dangerous.

I then received a telephone call from the regional Manager, who said it is imposable for this to happen after 1500 mile and we will not be looking into any this further he said that he is happy for me to go to Trading Standards.

Trading Standards are now looking into this with persuasion and this company has been reported to the HSE via a RIDDOR report.

I have now written to the Chief executive of this company for him to re look at this.

I am gob smacked that I could have been killed and now they are basicaly calling me a liar.

I feel that I am lucky enough to alert you of this

I just want to prepare people that if you have an issue this company they could not give a toss, they have a published guarantee and have bold statements that you can wipe you're bum on for as much use as it is.

Our Guarantee
We operate a 12-month or 12,000 mile guarantee on all parts and workmanship (whichever is the sooner). You also have the additional reassurance of our
100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Our staff are knowledgeable and approachable who will advise you honestly and genuinely care about customers, their cars and whether they'll come back.
We are the only chain of garages approved by The AA, we have more ATA trained mechanics than any other independent garage group

Please be warned