Car broke when in garage, what next? Mk5 Golf TDi

[Glasvegas77]

Wonder if I can get some tips.

Left my 100k Mk5 Golf (v well looked after) into garage for MoT.

Called me to say it needed a new shock on the front, said to go ahead £300 plus Inc MOT.

They did it and then called to say the power steering wasn't working. It worked when it went up on the jack but wasn't when it came down. An independent MOT station. They googled forums and were telling me about new racks etc....... £1000 or so fitted.

I haven't taken possession back yet and haven't paid them..... They can't do the work. Am thinking of getting independent VW station in for independent inspection and to look at the old shock!

Any advice please?

[MJK 24]

£300 plus VAT sounds horrendous for an MOT test and to replace a front shock absorber on a Golf. Shop around. Eurocarparts are listing Sachs shock absorbers for £55.

[Glasvegas77]

I was away and in a hurry but the problem is that when I left the car in the power steering was working but now it is not. It stopped working while up on their jack. Any tips?

[Changedmyname]

Arn't shocks put on in pairs,if so that's twice the price....um that's too much.

[MJK 24]

Pretty sure that the PAS is electric on Golfs of that era.

A post in the VW section would probably yeild a better response. With any luck 'Tame Technician' will pick up on it. He's a VAG Master Tech so will no doubt have come across this problem before.

Good luck

[mrmr96]

Changedmyname said:

Arn't shocks put on in pairs,if so that's twice the price....um that's too much.

At 100k miles they will be changed in pairs yes. (You can get away with doing one side only if the car is young.)

£55 x2 + VAT is £132 for the parts, plus £50 for the MOT is £182, so that leaves £118 for labour, which is probably something like £50+vat per hour for 2 hours (1hr per side to change a shock?). So £300 for an MOT and two new shocks all fitted doesn't sound extortionate to be honest.

[MJK 24]

Changedmyname said:

Arn't shocks put on in pairs,if so that's twice the price....um that's too much.

Springs need to be changed in pairs. There's no requirement to change shocks in pairs though it would be good practice at this mileage so that the car drives in a predictable fashion.

They wont be quoting £300 plus VAT to change both though. They'll just be doing the one to get a valid MOT.

[rallycross]

Those prices are very high find another garage and question that bill before paying.

MOT = £45.
one shock < £50.
fitting - < 1 hr (£50? labour)
Bill should not be £300!

Also if the PAS is not working you can still get in it and drive it to another garage who will fix it.

PAS on Mk5 Golf is not electric and should not suddenly stop working - so they have either damaged it, or are pulling your leg.

[Glasvegas77]

Thanks for your help guys. I'll try a post in the VW section. I'm probably going to get a local VW dealer to check the leaking shock and the whole bill to be honest. It was only one shock. I think it is electric power steering?

To be honest, a bit of a pain as I bought it from a mate who really did look after it but since I got it it has had a broken spring, roll bar, now leaking shock and the PAS!

[Jw Vw]

rallycross said:

Those prices are very high find another garage and question that bill before paying.

MOT = £45.
one shock < £50.
fitting - < 1 hr (£50? labour)
Bill should not be £300!

Also if the PAS is not working you can still get in it and drive it to another garage who will fix it.

PAS on Mk5 Golf is not electric and should not suddenly stop working - so they have either damaged it, or are pulling your leg.

This.

£300 is a total rip-off.