05/09/2026
🔧 **STAYKOOL GARAGE MISTAKES 🔧**
💷 **THE £600 MAIN DEALER QUOTE THAT DIDN’T ADD UP…**
A customer came to us after being told by a main dealer that a **stone had gone through the front of the car**, damaging the **air conditioning condenser and cooling fan**.
The recommended repair?
💷 **Around £600 for a new condenser and fan assembly.**
But the customer wasn't convinced. There had been **no obvious impact** and the car had otherwise been driving normally, so she decided to get a second opinion.
🔍 **WE CHECKED IT PROPERLY…**
There were **no signs of stone damage, no puncture and no damaged condenser fins** where the impact was supposedly located.
The cooling fan was also **working perfectly** when tested.
And there was something else that didn't quite add up…
Behind the condenser and fan sits the **radiator**. If a stone had travelled through with enough force to damage both the condenser and fan, you'd expect to see damage to the radiator too.
👉 **There was none.**
We then checked the refrigerant level.
The system had lost only around **50g of gas** — a small amount consistent with gradual seepage over time, rather than a major puncture.
❄️ **THE RESULT?**
There was **no need for a £600 condenser and fan replacement.**
The car simply needed a **proper air conditioning service and regas**.
The customer left with **ice-cold air**, a much smaller bill and, most importantly, peace of mind that she hadn't paid for parts she didn't need.
💰 **CUSTOMER SAVED AN ESTIMATED £600!**
This is why a **second opinion can be so worthwhile**.
An expensive diagnosis should always be backed up by clear evidence.
🔧 **Don't just replace parts because you're told they need replacing — ask questions, check the evidence and get a second opinion if something doesn't add up.**