Meh. I don’t have many positive things to say about my experience with Nola Automotive. PLEASE LOOK UP COMPANY ON BBB.ORG Took my car in on 3-10-2022 for a coolant leak issue, they did a diagnostic testing to see if there were any other issues. My car is old, check engine light was NOT on, and I wanted the diagnostic done to see how much the car was worth fixing. Poor communication and I called them a week later to see what the issue was. They told me I needed a new radiator and gave me a quote of estimated $1,300. A week later I called back and they gave me a new quote of estimated $1,700 because it was more detailed than they thought it would be, fine, I still go ahead with the repairs. Another week goes by and they are finally done with my car. They then proceed to give me another quote of $730 because spark plugs and an ignition coil needed to be replaced (where was this in the initial diagnostic?) I said not at this time and went 4-8-2022 to pick up the car. As soon I turned it on the check engine light was on and car is shaking while driving. I give them a call back and told them of this issue after I drove away. When I went in they said “I emailed you with this issue on 3/29/2022” (which is true they did). I said where was it in the initial diagnostic because I wouldn’t have gone through with the service if they originally quoted me for $730 more the first time? Looked on the estimate for the $730 work and it says it was invoiced on 3/10/2022, so they knew about it and didn’t tell me until the work was done for the more expensive work that needed to be done. Now I’m mad because I just wanted an honest quote to begin with. Edit: This is my further reply to after Nola Automotive replied back. What you fail to acknowledge is the estimate attached to the 3/29 email ( please review your emails) is the wrong quote. I was never sent the quote for the ignition plug and spark plugs until 4/8 when I was there in person. I question if the check engine light going on while in your service is under liability. I asked for a diagnostic originally. The code should have came back that those were failing and it should have been said in the initial report, not all 6 failing at one. It’s a shame that reading between the lines for a business that can’t cross their T’s and dot their I’s. If it was $1300 when the diagnostic testing was done how did no one realize it was more in depth? Did they even look at the car or did they just open the hood? Once again I can not stress to anyone reading this review to take your business elsewhere. I would also urge future customers to check their reviews on Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) and read what others have to say on a platform where the company itself can’t impact the reviews.
What you chose not to mention is that when you dropped off your vehicle on 3/10/22, you told us you were going to be out of town for two weeks and your phone would not work during that time. As far as your vehicle, you told us that you were driving your vehicle and then it starting smoking from the front right under the hood. We lifted up the hood and noticed that coolant had sprayed out all over the engine. The smoke was from that coolant burning off the engine. The technician proceeded to find the coolant leak(s). At this point, the technician must repair what is obviously failing in order to do more testing. As soon as the technician knows what repairs are needed, he tells a service writer. That service writer does an estimate and calls the customer. The service writer called you right away, but you didn't answer. So he sent you an email. A week went by before you called us. The cost for the repairs were about $1300.00 but that was not for just the radiator. I was for various hoses, thermostat and housing assemblies, etc. You agreed to the repairs. Shortly afterwards, the tech found out that the repairs on the labor side were going to be more extensive. The service writer called you with an updated estimate and there was no answer, so he sent you an email. You called back a week later and and approved the repairs. On 3/29/22, the repairs were complete and the Check Engine light came on. The code given was for a misfire in one of the cylinders. The service writer emailed you with an estimate for spark plugs and one ignition coil. When he called you to tell you that the approved repairs were complete, he then gave you the latest estimate. You declined and picked up your vehicle. There was not a Check Engine light on when your vehicle first arrived here. The tech inspected the car visually and performed pressure tests on the coolant system to find all the leaks. We did an estimate and then an updated one, based on what was obvious according to your concern. The coolant leaks must be addressed before anything else, especially since a no/low coolant issue causes a vehicle to overheat, and that can cause engine failure. We did not do an estimate for the spark plugs and ignition coil until 3/29/22, since that is when the tech first discovered the misfiring condition because coolant system repairs were complete. He was test driving the vehicle when the Check Engine light came on and it was running rough. The date shown on the Estimate/Repair Order will always be the date that the vehicle was brought in to us. That date does not change until you pay for the repairs in full. Only during that time will we invoice the Repair Order and the date will change to that particular day. Therefore, you did receive honest quotes and in a timely fashion from us throughout the whole process.
- NOLA Automotive Repairs Inc