Service Invoice Sense Check!
Discussion
42 Carat Plonker said:
I suspect the labour is 2.5hrs at £65.00/hr, which seems a reasonable labour rate, but way OTT in terms of hours, unless one of the filters is particularly difficult to access.
Bear in mind that this is allegedly a full manufacturer's service, which you would hope would include at least some of checking the battery, alternator output voltage, brake pads and disks, suspension, tyres, lights, ECU code read, road test... Just because the haven't listed parts doesn't mean they aren't doing the checks.And the maintenance costs includes the mechanic, the receptionist, the buildings, the equipment, the training, the administrative overhead, marketing...
Seems reasonable value to me.
Edited by ecs0set on Tuesday 21st November 13:33
I ran my own car repair business for over 20 years. Now long retired and take my own and my wife`s car to a garage and pay, so I see this from both sides. If you want your car maintained properly at a good quality business that you trust, it will be expensive, but worth it.
Firstly the OP`s invoice was pretty much average ( now that the labour charge was corrected ). It all depends on what type of service is carried out. To me a FULL service is car up in the air, all wheels off, brake drums off ( if it has them ) a full check over including fault code scan, and change brake fluid. Change oil, all filters, ( spark plugs and fuel filter if it has them). Road test and report. I would expect a labour charge for all that to be £100-£120. plus parts and VAT for the average family car.
I`m in Reading Berks were the average fully equipped small independent charges £60 an hour + VAT labour. Rent, rates, wages, insurance etc etc on a decent size workshop is very high in this area. It costs a small fortune to kit it out with all the heavy workshop equipment, special tools and technology needed to work on modern cars. Also many of them provide a free loan car or a collection and delivery service.
As with any trade its about how they operate and the quality of their work. I used to rely on repeat business and word of mouth. I was in business to make money, so look after the customer who gives it to you, simple. It can take a few years to build up a good reputation, and you could loose it over night if you start upsetting people.
Firstly the OP`s invoice was pretty much average ( now that the labour charge was corrected ). It all depends on what type of service is carried out. To me a FULL service is car up in the air, all wheels off, brake drums off ( if it has them ) a full check over including fault code scan, and change brake fluid. Change oil, all filters, ( spark plugs and fuel filter if it has them). Road test and report. I would expect a labour charge for all that to be £100-£120. plus parts and VAT for the average family car.
I`m in Reading Berks were the average fully equipped small independent charges £60 an hour + VAT labour. Rent, rates, wages, insurance etc etc on a decent size workshop is very high in this area. It costs a small fortune to kit it out with all the heavy workshop equipment, special tools and technology needed to work on modern cars. Also many of them provide a free loan car or a collection and delivery service.
As with any trade its about how they operate and the quality of their work. I used to rely on repeat business and word of mouth. I was in business to make money, so look after the customer who gives it to you, simple. It can take a few years to build up a good reputation, and you could loose it over night if you start upsetting people.
_Hoppers said:
ecs0set said:
And the maintenance costs includes the mechanic, the receptionist, the buildings, the equipment, the training, the administrative overhead, marketing...
Plus the holidays to Dubai, overseas trips to see the F1, the new electric Audi SUV and the Type R race carShirley we pay what we are comfortable with and whom we trust?
Old Merc said:
Firstly the OP`s invoice was pretty much average ( now that the labour charge was corrected ).
I'm reasonably happy with the revised invoice, but I can't be sure if it was a genuine mistake? There's another garage near us which has a good reputation, their standard prices seem to reflect my local garage but it doesn't look like they strip the brakes?
Old Merc said:
It can take a few years to build up a good reputation, and you could loose it over night if you start upsetting people.
I've mentioned this to my mate who takes his car to the LG on my recommendation and he's contemplating trying somewhere more convenient for his location now!vikingaero said:
_Hoppers said:
ecs0set said:
And the maintenance costs includes the mechanic, the receptionist, the buildings, the equipment, the training, the administrative overhead, marketing...
Plus the holidays to Dubai, overseas trips to see the F1, the new electric Audi SUV and the Type R race carShirley we pay what we are comfortable with and whom we trust?
_Hoppers said:
Old Merc said:
Firstly the OP`s invoice was pretty much average ( now that the labour charge was corrected ).
I'm reasonably happy with the revised invoice, but I can't be sure if it was a genuine mistake? There's another garage near us which has a good reputation, their standard prices seem to reflect my local garage but it doesn't look like they strip the brakes?Old Merc said:
It can take a few years to build up a good reputation, and you could loose it over night if you start upsetting people.
I've mentioned this to my mate who takes his car to the LG on my recommendation and he's contemplating trying somewhere more convenient for his location now!
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