Pros 
Cons Southern Brakes and Driveline: A Mixed Bag of Honest Opinions
Southern Brakes and Driveline, nestled at 123 Clyde Street, Invercargill, is a well-regarded auto repair shop holding a solid 4.4-star rating. The shop operates Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and is closed on weekends. They offer accessibility for those with mobility requirements, including a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. Appointments are recommended to ensure efficient service. With a wide variety of repair services – from brakes and driveline issues to battery replacements and custom hose creation – Southern Brakes and Driveline aims to be a one-stop shop for vehicle maintenance needs in Invercargill. Their phone number is +64 3 214 1041. But what do customers really think? The reviews paint a complex picture, showcasing both impressive strengths and concerning weaknesses. Let's dive into the experiences shared.
The Good: Helpful Staff, Quick Service & Problem-Solving Abilities
It's clear many customers appreciate Southern Brakes and Driveline's friendly and efficient service. Numerous reviews highlight the helpfulness of the staff, particularly the young chap behind the counter, who often goes above and beyond. Here’s a breakdown of the positives frequently mentioned:
- Exceptional Staff: Consistently praised for their knowledge, helpfulness, and willingness to assist. One user specifically mentioned a "super helpful young chap."
- Speed and Efficiency: Several reviews highlight the quick turnaround on services, with comments like "Quick and super efficient" and "Excellent, friendly and fast service."
- Problem Solving Prowess: They’ve demonstrated an ability to tackle challenging requests, such as custom fabrication of parts like a slave cylinder line crucial for a wedding, proving they can think outside the box. One customer specifically mentioned needing a part quickly and being impressed that Southern Brakes and Driveline either had it in stock or could source it with 24-hour delivery.
- Battery Services: A notable positive was the quick and convenient battery replacement service offered, including fitting it on the spot.
- Valuable Advice: Customers appreciate the advice provided, adding value beyond just the parts or service itself.
- Good Parking & Location: Located in the heart of the city, with 'no parking concerns'.
Areas for Serious Improvement: Quality Control Concerns
Unfortunately, alongside the positive feedback, a significant number of reviews detail concerning issues with the quality of work performed. This is where Southern Brakes and Driveline’s reputation takes a severe downturn. The following points highlight critical areas needing immediate attention:
- Substandard Workmanship: A single, alarming review detailed multiple critical errors:
- Misaligned pulleys on new belts, tensioner and bearing installations.
- Reuse of blown-out bushes on suspension components.
- Brake discs machined to different sizes, leading to dangerous braking behaviour (one wheel spinning freely whilst the other locked up).
- Dismissing a simple wheel alignment when one wheel was significantly out of toe (20mm+), causing the vehicle to ‘drag/crab walk’.
- Dangerous Advice: The same review alleges that staff advised against a wheel alignment, stating their work was "properly done," despite clear issues. This suggests a potential lack of understanding of proper alignment procedures or a concerning disregard for vehicle safety.
- Double Work & Unsafe Vehicle: This resulted in the customer needing to pay for the work to be redone and driving around in an "unsafe car" for a period.
Table Summarizing Quality Concerns
| Issue | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Misaligned Pulleys | Medium | Reduced component lifespan, noise |
| Reused Blown Bushes | High | Compromised suspension performance, safety hazard |
| Uneven Brake Discs | Critical | Dangerous braking, vehicle instability |
| Incorrect Wheel Alignment | Critical | Tire wear, poor handling, safety risk |
Pricing and Overall Value Considerations
Pricing seems to be relatively competitive, though one customer noted a slight increase ($7.35) compared to online prices. However, they found the value proposition acceptable due to the quick service, helpful advice, and the possibility of returns if problems arose. The customer also pointed out that another shop had recommended Southern Brakes and Driveline even before checking their catalogue, suggesting a level of industry recognition. Ultimately, the pricing and value proposition are subjective and are weighed less heavily than the quality of workmanship issues detailed above. The convenience and accessibility provided by easy parts sourcing and central Invercargill location are attractive factors to consider.
Final Thoughts – Proceed with Caution
Southern Brakes and Driveline clearly possesses strengths – a friendly, helpful staff, and a willingness to tackle challenging requests. However, the documented instances of poor workmanship and potentially dangerous advice are undeniably concerning. Prospective customers should be aware of these potential pitfalls and strongly consider seeking second opinions or thorough post-service inspections, especially for critical repairs. While the shop’s range of services and convenient location are appealing, the experiences shared by some customers suggest a need for significant improvements in quality control and staff training. With improvements addressing the significant quality concerns, Southern Brakes and Driveline has the potential to solidify its position as a top auto repair choice in Invercargill.