Am I being ripped off?

[C2james]

Hey

My MOT is booked for next week and I may have to replace a faulty ABS sensor, the guy at the dealer said it will cost £150 plus fitting, is this the right price or too much. Also they are charging my £60 to replace the antifreeze ready for winter. Is this very expensive or not?

I personally feel it is because what would of been a £55 MOT for a citroen C2 1.1 may now be over £250. What do you guys think?



This may be in the wrong section but I wanted a quick reply.

[steeveeboy]

Tell him he forgot your brake discs as well

[r11co]

C2james said:

My MOT is booked for next week and I may have to replace a faulty ABS sensor, the guy at the dealer said it will cost £150 plus fitting, is this the right price or too much. Also they are charging my £60 to replace the antifreeze ready for winter. Is this very expensive or not?

WAAAY too much.

Why are you even considering a dealer for the work anyway?

I take it you went to the dealer with the HUGE windows (that they saw you coming from miles away).

[98elise]

Why do you need to replace the anti freeze?

Even if you need to do it, just pop a hose off, drain the engine, hose back on refill with fresh anti freeze/water. 30 minute job at most.

[kambites]

For the ABS sensor it depends on the car. Some cars you can just replace a little sensor, some you have to replace the entire hub unit and bearing set.

I'd do both jobs myself if it was me.

[r11co]

kambites said:

For the ABS sensor it depends on the car. Some cars you can just replace a little sensor, some you have to replace the entire hub unit and bearing set.

That ain't the sensor you are talking about - that's the reluctor ring. Indeed some are magnetic and built into the hub, but the dealer should specify this and not refer to it as a sensor which is the electronic part that detects the rotation of the reluctor. Sensors should cost tens of pounds at most.

Edited by r11co on Friday 4th November 18:11

[anonymous-user]

Like scams, when you think you are being scammer/ripped off you are..

i am sure it is something you could do yourself.

[kambites]

r11co said:

kambites said:

For the ABS sensor it depends on the car. Some cars you can just replace a little sensor, some you have to replace the entire hub unit and bearing set.

That ain't the sensor you are talking about - that's the reluctor ring. Indeed some are magnetic and built into the hub, but the dealer should specify this and not refer to it as a sensor which is the electronic part that detects the rotation of the reluctor. Sensors should cost tens of pounds at most.

The speedo sender on my Elise (which is just an ABS sensor off something or other) has the sensor itself built into the hub unit. You might be able to replace them separately if you try, but I've never seen anyone selling the sensor as a separate part.

[C2james]

Ok thanks guys, I should know better but wanted some advice. I'll cancel the antifreeze tomorrow and speak to another local garage about doing the sensor for me.

[kambites]

Eurocarparts have an ABS sensor for that car for £22.74 and it looks like it just bolts on and plugs in... http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Citroen_C2_1.1_2...

[r11co]

Just checked.

C2 front ABS sensor £21.06, rear sensor £19.39 (from GSF).

[Superhoop]

An ABS sensor from Euro Car parts is about £23

Fitting should take about 30 minutes tops.

So yes, I'd say that the dealer quote looks expensive

[C2james]

Thanks guys, if the abs light comes on during the MOT can they actually fail me?

[LuS1fer]

Dealers should always offer you the original equipment part as it maintains any warranty but may also offer you an alternative cheaper pattern part while pointing out it may be less durable and a flase economy in the long run. It's a choice but it should be your choice. Often they inflate prices to cover any unforeseen labour arising out of seized parts etc but "forget" to refund it when it's straightforward.

[Engineer1]

I know this isn't the case with this car, but some sensors are built into units that end up being very expensive as they are pressed into a hub or similar, and then they are coded to the ECU or similar, so a small simple sensor can cost a fk of alot of money.

But a £20 part with 30mins or so labour is likely to be close to £100 purely because of labour costs

[WhoseGeneration]

It might be that a clean of the sensor connnector would resolve the issue.
Connector off, spray of contact cleaner, connect and disconnect a few times and check sensor.
Old school stuff, try the simple things first.
I'm assuming the sensor has been checked to see if it's "crudded up".

[bazking69]

kambites said:

Eurocarparts have an ABS sensor for that car for £22.74 and it looks like it just bolts on and plugs in... http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Citroen_C2_1.1_2...

Rarely as simple as that with years old sensors seized in....

[WhoseGeneration]

C2james said:

Thanks guys, if the abs light comes on during the MOT can they actually fail me?

Yes.
Btw, how old is your C2?

[fastcars_hardy]

yes it is a fail and it could be a complete wheel bearing.i will test the coolent yourself because most is longlife now.

[anonymous-user]

Just to add, are you a member of http://c2club.co.uk

i have found the car owners clubs are great for how to guides, information on costs, and sometimes someone local to you to help for a few beer tokens.