Mechanic Prices
Discussion
Had a few jobs done on me car such as springs, top mounts, brakes , suspension arms etc. Over the past 8 months.
Was wondering whether they charge way too much or not.
Here's an example..
2xBrake Discs for my car go for about £20 total on Autodoc.
The mechanic charged £90 for the two, fitted.
This excludes the " Labour " fee.
2x Top mounts go for about £10 each, so £20 total ( at the most, on the internet )
They charged me £63. Again, excluding the Labour fee.
So my question is. Is it normal for a mechanic to charge over the odds for a job, and then charge labour too ?
I'd love to be able to make repairs on my car myself, but I'm new to driving and cars, hence why I go to a mechanic for odd jobs ( at the moment )
Was wondering whether they charge way too much or not.
Here's an example..
2xBrake Discs for my car go for about £20 total on Autodoc.
The mechanic charged £90 for the two, fitted.
This excludes the " Labour " fee.
2x Top mounts go for about £10 each, so £20 total ( at the most, on the internet )
They charged me £63. Again, excluding the Labour fee.
So my question is. Is it normal for a mechanic to charge over the odds for a job, and then charge labour too ?
I'd love to be able to make repairs on my car myself, but I'm new to driving and cars, hence why I go to a mechanic for odd jobs ( at the moment )
The issue with autodoc is that while it is cheap the parts are arriving from Europe, and it can take a long time (3-4 working days to a week or so) to get shipped. This means chances are they source it from a local source (either a eurocarparts like system or a car part shop from your city) and usually the car parts prices are more.
The thing I learned about mechanics is that find one that does a good and honest job, and stick with them. My mechanic is not the cheapest out there, but he helped me out at a tough time before, charges are reasonable and he does a good job.
If you want to start wrenching then start small, because you might see a youtube video of someone changing a top mount easily on a 4 post lift, using pneumatic tools and a clean car, but when you are at home with some cheap wrenches, the car on jackstands and every bolt rusted in, then it is a different game
A good start imo is a service, oil and filters change, cabin air filter, spark plugs and this should be a great and reasonably priced start
The thing I learned about mechanics is that find one that does a good and honest job, and stick with them. My mechanic is not the cheapest out there, but he helped me out at a tough time before, charges are reasonable and he does a good job.
If you want to start wrenching then start small, because you might see a youtube video of someone changing a top mount easily on a 4 post lift, using pneumatic tools and a clean car, but when you are at home with some cheap wrenches, the car on jackstands and every bolt rusted in, then it is a different game
A good start imo is a service, oil and filters change, cabin air filter, spark plugs and this should be a great and reasonably priced startCouldn't you of supplied the parts yourself, then just pay labour? I know some garages/mechanics dont like this, but most I find are fine with it.
In regards to the cost, not really sure, they can charge whatever they like within reason, if they are sourcing the parts + their time/commission to do this on your behalf.
Wrenching is ok, if nothing is rusted on, dont always believe the Youtube videos, I have disabled my car because of this, then the next day needed to use it, not good!
In regards to the cost, not really sure, they can charge whatever they like within reason, if they are sourcing the parts + their time/commission to do this on your behalf.
Wrenching is ok, if nothing is rusted on, dont always believe the Youtube videos, I have disabled my car because of this, then the next day needed to use it, not good!
MakaveliX said:
757 said:
Couldn't you of supplied the parts yourself, then just pay labour? I
Not the mechanic I used to go to. There are some around here which you can, which I'll most likely use in future. 
OP are you comparing the same OEM's for part prices? Euro's and GFS dont carry the same number of brands that Autodoc will do, and also the mechanic might be only willing to fit certain brands rather than the cheapest.
Just remember if you supply the parts, and they develop a fault or not fit for purpose down the line, you'll be paying all of the labour for removal and refitting again, and you'll have the job of trying to get re-imbursement from the parts supplier, who won't be covering those labour costs.
Not a great problem with brake parts, a clutch on the other hand.
As above, if you find a good mechanic hang on to him like your life depends on it.
The time taken to fit a set of brake discs and pads can be nearly doubled if the bod doing the job is a decent mechanic, he'll spend time cleaning up and lubing up correctly and probably bleed the brakes at the same time (whilst casting his mincers over everything suspension and brake related whilst underneath), messrs Bodgit and Scarper will do the job quicker and maybe cheaper, however as with many jobs done cheaper you might be having the work redone because B&S did a half arsed job or failed to notice the weeping perished CV boot.
If you want to get parts at good prices, nothing wrong with that i do the same, then get the tools out and fit them yourself.
Not a great problem with brake parts, a clutch on the other hand.
As above, if you find a good mechanic hang on to him like your life depends on it.
The time taken to fit a set of brake discs and pads can be nearly doubled if the bod doing the job is a decent mechanic, he'll spend time cleaning up and lubing up correctly and probably bleed the brakes at the same time (whilst casting his mincers over everything suspension and brake related whilst underneath), messrs Bodgit and Scarper will do the job quicker and maybe cheaper, however as with many jobs done cheaper you might be having the work redone because B&S did a half arsed job or failed to notice the weeping perished CV boot.
If you want to get parts at good prices, nothing wrong with that i do the same, then get the tools out and fit them yourself.
The mechanic has to source parts that he knows will do the job, that he can stand behind, and won't be likely to be coming back for rework.
And he needs to get them when he needs them, from a reliable source.
I don't think he's charging over the odds, I think you're being unrealistic in comparing their pricing to very cheap online stockists.
And he needs to get them when he needs them, from a reliable source.
I don't think he's charging over the odds, I think you're being unrealistic in comparing their pricing to very cheap online stockists.
Unless there's some sort of longstanding relationship / mutual trust, most garages won't fit customer supplied parts, and I don't blame them.
If you had your el-cheapo Autodoc supplied, God-alone-knows-what-brand discs fitted by a garage, and within a few weeks you started getting a nasty wobble through the steering wheel when you braked, what would you do? Would you take the car back to the garage, and if so, would you expect to pay for any work done?
If you had your el-cheapo Autodoc supplied, God-alone-knows-what-brand discs fitted by a garage, and within a few weeks you started getting a nasty wobble through the steering wheel when you braked, what would you do? Would you take the car back to the garage, and if so, would you expect to pay for any work done?
Ordered same as OE TPMS senders (Huf/Beru brand) saving about £70 per corner for same from dealer and Autodoc sent me 'Stark' branded ones without asking me if that was OK. It wasn't. Took over a week and 5 emails to get them to accept the return. 2 weeks later still no refund. Wont be using them again.
Nefos said:
The issue with autodoc is that while it is cheap the parts are arriving from Europe, and it can take a long time (3-4 working days to a week or so) to get shipped....
Indeed. The mechanic will order from a local motor factor who will send their van round within an hour or two.Also, if everyone supplied their own parts then the mechanic would have to part up their hourly rate to make up for the lack of profit from parts sales.
Truckosaurus said:
Also, if everyone supplied their own parts then the mechanic would have to part up their hourly rate to make up for the lack of profit from parts sales.
He shouldn't - I didn'tI used to get parts at a 10% discount - but I have to sort it out if those parts go wrong
So I preferred it if the customer supplied parts as I have no warranty obligation - this is also why many will now only supply OEM parts
The issue is what happens when the supplied parts are wrong and the car is blocking the lift ?
Any decent professional mechanic would only fit quality O/E parts. He wants to see that customer again, so he will do a good fully guaranteed job.
He will have a good business relationship with a local parts supplier, who will deliver in an hour or so. Ensuring that the customer`s car is completed on time. As for pricing the parts? he will get a discounted rate, so if he is sensible he will charge his customer the going rate, he will certainly be able to under cut a main dealer. Remember he wants to see the customer again.
He will have a good business relationship with a local parts supplier, who will deliver in an hour or so. Ensuring that the customer`s car is completed on time. As for pricing the parts? he will get a discounted rate, so if he is sensible he will charge his customer the going rate, he will certainly be able to under cut a main dealer. Remember he wants to see the customer again.
Your Autodoc order will be elcheapo brand parts if it's £20 for a brake disc. Arguably some components like discs are OK to cheap out on but others such as electrical components or bushes don't make sense to go cheap. If you do the work yourself you get the luxury to make those decisions yourself. If I was a mechanic I would only buy the best parts as it would make my life easier - guarenteed to fit and less likely to fail.
You also need to add the cost of the time you spent looking for the parts, making payment, dealing with the delivery and final transport to the mechanic for fitting.
Charge that at say £20 an hour and then see what your part prices really look like.
When a mechanic sources parts he has to cover all these costs in the price he charges for the part so at least compare apples with apples when stating how cheap your parts are compared to the mechanic supplied parts.
Charge that at say £20 an hour and then see what your part prices really look like.
When a mechanic sources parts he has to cover all these costs in the price he charges for the part so at least compare apples with apples when stating how cheap your parts are compared to the mechanic supplied parts.
Some people on here have stated that Autodoc take weeks to send out orders.
My view is that the £20 brake discs from Autodoc are the ones that are covered in bright orange rust when there is a hint of rain. I would rather pay double for Pagid or Brembo if they come from ECP. For example I find Blueprint brake pads to churn out loads of black brake dust, yet teh more premium brands give less dust and is a grey colour.
Most mechanics parts prices are skewed on them being available from stock and having near immediate delivery to the workshop. So they trust places like ECP and other motor factors to confim they are in stock and they will start stripping the car down for when delivery van arrives.
I use a variety of garages for work on our cars (about a dozen in total). My Romanian mechanic is unique in that he charges 20% VAT on the trade price he buys from ECP and his labour on top. As an example VW main dealer for front discs and pads is £550ish. Retail for me from ECP for 2x Brembo discs, pads, fitting kit and ABS sensor was around £150. He gets them for around £100 trade, so charges me £120, plus £60 fitting on top. He said that if I wanted genuine VW parts, he could order from TPS for around £150-180. That's still a substantial saving on th main dealer.
My view is that the £20 brake discs from Autodoc are the ones that are covered in bright orange rust when there is a hint of rain. I would rather pay double for Pagid or Brembo if they come from ECP. For example I find Blueprint brake pads to churn out loads of black brake dust, yet teh more premium brands give less dust and is a grey colour.
Most mechanics parts prices are skewed on them being available from stock and having near immediate delivery to the workshop. So they trust places like ECP and other motor factors to confim they are in stock and they will start stripping the car down for when delivery van arrives.
I use a variety of garages for work on our cars (about a dozen in total). My Romanian mechanic is unique in that he charges 20% VAT on the trade price he buys from ECP and his labour on top. As an example VW main dealer for front discs and pads is £550ish. Retail for me from ECP for 2x Brembo discs, pads, fitting kit and ABS sensor was around £150. He gets them for around £100 trade, so charges me £120, plus £60 fitting on top. He said that if I wanted genuine VW parts, he could order from TPS for around £150-180. That's still a substantial saving on th main dealer.
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