Service Invoice Sense Check!
Discussion
At least they haven't charged a couple of quid for a splash of screenwash.
Compared to the invoices from my local indy/generic garage the OP's one is a little light on details. My invoices come with the brand names of the parts used (eg. Mann oil filter, Bosch air filter, etc) and the labour time is spelt out to one decimal place.
As others have said, often the main dealer basic service is a similar price to local garages, but they will be way more expensive as soon as they embark on other repair work (which is what they are hoping for).
Compared to the invoices from my local indy/generic garage the OP's one is a little light on details. My invoices come with the brand names of the parts used (eg. Mann oil filter, Bosch air filter, etc) and the labour time is spelt out to one decimal place.
As others have said, often the main dealer basic service is a similar price to local garages, but they will be way more expensive as soon as they embark on other repair work (which is what they are hoping for).
The labour rate is not £162 per hour - it is overall cost, so if they spent 2hours on the car it is £81+vat per hour.
FWIW, I too have a trusted garage I use which seems to get ever more expensive.
However, value is different from cost. They are great at picking things up early, advising to keep an eye on, or even suggesting we do not need. In the 11 years I have used them our cars have never broken down other than a broken exhaust - and as a regular customer they pulled an extra hour or so to fit us in at the end of the day and welded in a new section asap. I do get great value and service from them.
Much more than a main stealer and their 'brakes need replacing' and 'video walk through of the car' type things which all add to the cost - and detract from the actual task of fixing a car... I have had two recalls and one warranty bit of work on two cars over the last 11 yeas - and all three times the main dealers were poor. Between not topping up coolant(!) and not reconnecting an airbag (!), and another one where they just did not do the car on the day it was booked in and assumed we could leave the car with them for a *week* with no loaner when I went to collect it at the end of the day.....
FWIW, I too have a trusted garage I use which seems to get ever more expensive.
However, value is different from cost. They are great at picking things up early, advising to keep an eye on, or even suggesting we do not need. In the 11 years I have used them our cars have never broken down other than a broken exhaust - and as a regular customer they pulled an extra hour or so to fit us in at the end of the day and welded in a new section asap. I do get great value and service from them.
Much more than a main stealer and their 'brakes need replacing' and 'video walk through of the car' type things which all add to the cost - and detract from the actual task of fixing a car... I have had two recalls and one warranty bit of work on two cars over the last 11 yeas - and all three times the main dealers were poor. Between not topping up coolant(!) and not reconnecting an airbag (!), and another one where they just did not do the car on the day it was booked in and assumed we could leave the car with them for a *week* with no loaner when I went to collect it at the end of the day.....
Truckosaurus said:
At least they haven't charged a couple of quid for a splash of screenwash.
Compared to the invoices from my local indy/generic garage the OP's one is a little light on details. My invoices come with the brand names of the parts used (eg. Mann oil filter, Bosch air filter, etc) and the labour time is spelt out to one decimal place.
As others have said, often the main dealer basic service is a similar price to local garages, but they will be way more expensive as soon as they embark on other repair work (which is what they are hoping for).
That's pricey , we use 100ml sachets @ 99p Compared to the invoices from my local indy/generic garage the OP's one is a little light on details. My invoices come with the brand names of the parts used (eg. Mann oil filter, Bosch air filter, etc) and the labour time is spelt out to one decimal place.
As others have said, often the main dealer basic service is a similar price to local garages, but they will be way more expensive as soon as they embark on other repair work (which is what they are hoping for).
Parts come mainly from stellantis , e.c.p and wrs but if the customer wants all genuine oem obviously that's what he gets and pays for .
MattyD803 said:
_Hoppers said:
I've got a friend with a lift and all the tools I could ever need but spare time do do this stuff myself is usually a bit scarce! Maybe I should plan ahead next year and make time to do it myself?
I'd say so. £30/35 for 5L of good quality oil, £10-15 for a genuine Honda filter and sump washer and your done for <£50 in parts. Brake fluid change might be on the cards depending on when it was last done (every 2 years), but that's another fairly straight forward job...only £12-15 for 500ml of genuine Honda stuff......A good poke and prod about on the ramps and your laughing. _Hoppers said:
DKS said:
I'd be very annoyed at the use of engine flush in any of my cars. Did you ask for that?
No I didn't, it's something they've always done. Is there a problem using it?_Hoppers said:
Thank you all for your feedback, I queried this with the garage after posting and they said the time they put down for the service was incorrect.
Revised invoice is £252
Good. That's £60 more to spend on a nice meal out with your missis. Revised invoice is £252
_Hoppers said:
I've got a friend with a lift and all the tools I could ever need but spare time do do this stuff myself is usually a bit scarce! Maybe I should plan ahead next year and make time to do it myself?
It depends upon your own values and inclination. There are very few people in the world whom I would trust to look after my cars, but that's because I know I can do a good job myself, I have the tools and I enjoy it (and I distrust garages and dislike spending money when I don't have to.) Having said that, I fully understand why other people prefer to spend money to have such things done for them. Neither is right or wrong. FWIW, if you're anywhere near Cheltenham then I'd be more than happy to lend a hand with a DIY service, but I've not checked your profile so I have no idea how realistic that is.
tim0409 said:
I think they are trying to disguise their hourly rate with the use of the “manufacturers service” item on the invoice, which presumably equates to around 2 - 2 1/2 hours at the their standard rate?
“Manufacturers service” means a service done that follows the relevant manufacturer’s schedule, so that there shouldn’t be an issue if the car is under warranty.It’s obviously not appropriate on an older car and they’ve accepted it was charged in error.
That work won’t have taken an hour - a dealer would do it in 40 mins. Basic servicing is fantastically profitable for garages.
911Spanker said:
MattyD803 said:
_Hoppers said:
I've got a friend with a lift and all the tools I could ever need but spare time do do this stuff myself is usually a bit scarce! Maybe I should plan ahead next year and make time to do it myself?
I'd say so. £30/35 for 5L of good quality oil, £10-15 for a genuine Honda filter and sump washer and your done for <£50 in parts. Brake fluid change might be on the cards depending on when it was last done (every 2 years), but that's another fairly straight forward job...only £12-15 for 500ml of genuine Honda stuff......A good poke and prod about on the ramps and your laughing. _Hoppers said:
2Btoo said:
Reminds me why I have a trolley jack and a set of overalls, but that's not the point of this thread.
I've got a friend with a lift and all the tools I could ever need but spare time do do this stuff myself is usually a bit scarce! Maybe I should plan ahead next year and make time to do it myself?Its a 15 year old Honda, its not worth spending that money on servicing it at a garage if you are watching the cost, after all thats £250 plus out of your taxed, NI'd, Pensioned salary after all your other costs, its a big chunk of most folks monthly spare cash, how long does it take you to earn the £200 over doing it yourself ?
Its a pretty good hourly rate, its basically a very expensive oil change as doesnt look like anything else was done, "Engine Flush", never ever flushed an engine out, thats just adding £8.95 onto the bill as folk who dont know much about cars think its a great idea, get all that dirty old oil out. When 95% or more percent comes out the sump plug anyway and with modern oils and combustion engines dont tend to get all sludgy like its 1972. Suspect it didnt actually see any "Engine Flush". Somethign I would only ever do if an engine was really manky and not had a service in ages.
I understand servicing cars isnt for everyone, space and physical capability for example but suspect you could.
_Hoppers said:
Thank you all for your feedback, I queried this with the garage after posting and they said the time they put down for the service was incorrect.
Revised invoice is £252
this is more important than you are giving credit for, and backs up my previous point.Revised invoice is £252
Essentially they tried it on, adding parts cost onto an already inflated labour charge, which would quite easily have covered the cost of the service. Most people probably don't query it, but when they do they have an easy get out of, 'oh we added the invoice up wrong'
Despite your protestations that these are good guys, they've just tried to have your leg over.
2Btoo said:
_Hoppers said:
Thank you all for your feedback, I queried this with the garage after posting and they said the time they put down for the service was incorrect.
Revised invoice is £252
Good. That's £60 more to spend on a nice meal out with your missis. Revised invoice is £252
_Hoppers said:
I've got a friend with a lift and all the tools I could ever need but spare time do do this stuff myself is usually a bit scarce! Maybe I should plan ahead next year and make time to do it myself?
It depends upon your own values and inclination. There are very few people in the world whom I would trust to look after my cars, but that's because I know I can do a good job myself, I have the tools and I enjoy it (and I distrust garages and dislike spending money when I don't have to.) Having said that, I fully understand why other people prefer to spend money to have such things done for them. Neither is right or wrong. FWIW, if you're anywhere near Cheltenham then I'd be more than happy to lend a hand with a DIY service, but I've not checked your profile so I have no idea how realistic that is.
I'm near York. Thank for the offer but my mate with the lift has an engineering background and worked at at independent garage after finishing his degree. He now builds racing cars for the Classic Touring Car series.
J4CKO said:
Its a pretty good hourly rate, its basically a very expensive oil change as doesnt look like anything else was done,
When the car was serviced last year it had an 'intermediate service' which was pretty much what the recent one was but without the air filter. I queried it then because it was £180. I was paying about £90 for an intermediate oil change service at BMW (after a friends and family discount). He listed the stuff you'd expect like checking bulbs etc but they had also stripped and cleaned the brakes. I could see some fresh copper grease so it looked like they had actually done it. I'll know for sure when it needs new discs and pads._Hoppers said:
.... they had also stripped and cleaned the brakes. I could see some fresh copper grease so it looked like they had actually done it.
I'd go there just for that - I've used a few non-franchised garages and they simply won't do it. Hondas are notorious for sticking calipers - I fell out with Honda when we had one stick while the car was in warranty and they wouldn't cover it.By way of making you feel better about your bill, my Range Rover has a huge service coming up later this week. Its age and usage dictates it's due its 160k mile/120 month inspection which means pretty much everything comes under scrutiny.
Even the auto transmission fluid and filter is replaced during this one (which some will suggest doesn't happen to "sealed" ZF boxes). I'm looking forward to my car receiving some love.
I've been quoted just over £2k.
Even the auto transmission fluid and filter is replaced during this one (which some will suggest doesn't happen to "sealed" ZF boxes). I'm looking forward to my car receiving some love.
I've been quoted just over £2k.
All the parts prices are quoted ex-VAT and they have to charge you 20% VAT on top for supply. Certainly they will get them at trade prices so some profit there.
I use an independent for trust - stickers on everything - coolant replaced xx/xx/xx, brake fluid checked and topped up xx/xx/xx. He's more expensive than a main dealer now who have fixed priced servicing.
I use an independent for trust - stickers on everything - coolant replaced xx/xx/xx, brake fluid checked and topped up xx/xx/xx. He's more expensive than a main dealer now who have fixed priced servicing.
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