Main Dealer wants to charge "to use their tools" - WHAT!

[100 IAN]

Engine warning light has come on in my RR Sport so i phoned the main dealer to book it in.

Charge would be £90 to connect it to the diagnostics to read the fault code plus 1/2 hour labour.

Why do they (other than 'they can') charge for this? The diagnostic machine (computer) is just one of many tools that they need in their workshop.

If they charged for using a spanner or screwdriver everyone would be up-in-arms so what's different?

Yes i know its an expensive bit of kit but so's a 4x post lift and many other essential tools they have. That's why they charge £100 an hour, to cover the cost of all the equipment they need.

OK rant over.

Am i just being tight not wanting to pay £90 (+ labour don't forget) or does eveyone agree that Main Dealers are just taking advantage?

[rhinochopig]

For 90 quid you can buy a fault code reader.

[PumpkinSteve]

I believe Ford do the same thing even when the car is in warranty.

[Dave Hedgehog]

i have spent a lot of time recently hanging around my main dealer recently

i was surprised by how many staff they have and how much their overheads where, i can see why they charge what they do

[Tyre Tread]

Vauxhall charge £70 + VAT just to plug it in.

JUst a way of raising revenue same as any other.

Code readers can read codes but to change settings you generally need more sophisticated equipment which is expensive hence they have you by the balls

[helmutlaang]

Audi charged me fifty quid and they had it for an hour. Went over the car with a fine toothcomb.

Im suprised the 90 mentioned in the OP does not include the labour.

[McHaggis]

Or people are going to Indies more - and need the fault code first? Just a way of reducing revenue erosion. Providing on a big job they deduct it from the final bill I don't think it is unreasonable out of warranty, in principle but this does seem high.

Ring around a few other LR dealers for some quotes?

[Westy Pre-Lit]

So you can afford to drive around in a RR sport but everybody else has to work and supply a service for free .....here we go again

[anonymous-user]

A code reader IS the modern spanner!

A decent Indy will be able to read the code but you may need the higher level software to reset the fault. It will 99% be a dodgy sensor reading.

[julian64]

Probably because unlike a spanner or a screwdriver the dealership have to rent the device or pay a regular fee for upgrades.

[Face for Radio]

To stop people from getting the code read for free, and then buggering off to an Indy telling them what part is at fault and getting it replaced there.

[Mister3man]

rhinochopig said:

For 90 quid you can buy a fault code reader.

Correct. But that's about all it will do. You won't be able to do 10% of the things the main dealers laptop is capable of (check for updates etc etc).

Often when diagnosing faults you need to be able to see a lot more than just the fault code itself.

[sparks_E39]

Why should they do it for free? (presuming it's out of warranty)

[McHaggis]

Quick brand perception test... I wonder if Lexus charge?

[N Dentressangle]

100 IAN said:

Am i just being tight not wanting to pay £90 (+ labour don't forget) or does eveyone agree that Main Dealers are just taking advantage?

You're being tight. Maintaining a workshop and up to date diagnostic tech costs money - how else can they recoup this?

Also, think about your own business. It's obviously pretty lucrative - how much do you charge, and for what? To the layperson I would imagine that some of those charges look unjustified, but then you will know different, I would imagine.

[AlLondon]

The official LR Diagnostic tool costs Upwards of £6k consideranly more than a lift.

[chryslerben]

100 IAN said:

something silly

oh no not another dealer charging for their time and equipment! Kill them all with fire.

but on a more serious note why would you expect them not to charge? Are you something or someone special?

[p1doc]

when i had my modded scoobies local subaru garages never charged me as regular customer with fiskens in forfar staying open late on saturday lunchtime to fault read it-true customer service!
martin

[buggalugs]

I think what the OP was getting at is that they are charging for time AND use of the tool, they don't charge you extra on a job if it has to go on a lift.

IMO they do it cause people pay it!

[750turbo]

Westy Pre-Lit said:

So you can afford to drive around in a RR sport but everybody else has to work and supply a service for free .....here we go again

Yep!

IMO, the majority of people (on here, and in real life) have no bloody idea what it takes to run a Dealership!!

Start up costs..
Staff...
Rent/Rates...
Equipment...
Training...
Etc...

The costs are horrendous, but do not let that get in the way of a good moan.