On 14th April 2010, I took my car to the Dewsbury branch of Kwik-Fit (on the ring road, opposite the Health Centre). It was a straightforward oil-change, so I was baffled when the "mechanic" started emptying the contents of the boot onto the workshop floor. I rushed out to see what he was doing. Apparently they don't just change the oil; they do an "oil-change service" which involves checking the spare wheel and various other parts of the car, presumably in the hope of finding a fault that they can charge me for fixing. I told him to put it all back and just change the oil. He did a satisfactory job and I was soon on my way.

The next day I got a "courtesy call" asking for my comments. My main concern was not the work on my car, but the horrendously filthy state of the waiting room. It obviously had not been cleaned for weeks if not months. The operator promised it would be dealt with as a matter of priority.

When I returned on 31st May 2010 (six weeks later) to have a puncture repaired, it was evident that no cleaning had taken place since my previous visit. I was the first customer when they opened in the morning, but one of the benches was covered in old newspapers and magazines, the floor was filthy, with thick layers of dust and spiders' webs in all the corners and on the ledges. A litter bin had overflowed, there were used tissues on the floor, even the coffee machine was covered in dust, including the tray where the drink is dispensed.

I can honestly say that I have never, in my life, encountered such a filthy, disgusting public waiting area that was actually in use! And if you think I'm exaggerating, here are the photos, taken on 31st May 2010, to prove it.

If you have ever caught a lethal disease there, you can ring 01924 454544 to complain.