Is my mechanic ripping me off?

i agree that s its gives you a better feeling to do it yourself (oweer missis)
but sometimes time gets the better of you and also theres the jobs you need done but dont want to

 

Most garages will charge a menu price for an 'engine service', which on a modern car normally means oil and filter and then air filter on a big service. I can't be bothered to do my wife's car, so that and the Skoda go to a local guy who charges about £50 per hour. I do my car and bike myself, and will do the van when it is up and running. It's not just about saving money, it's also about knowing and caring for your own vehicle.

 

In this day and age, finding someone that will work on old stuff is getting hard - ok, I'll alter that - finding someone that is GOOD and will work on old stuff is hard.

When I had my car ICE and security company we avoided old stuff - it was always a pain in the backside be that inheriting someone else's poor work and/or owner expectations on what could be done.

A good mechanic who charges for work you request or need is worth a lot more than one who is cheaper and carries out unneccessary work.

These guys need to make a living after all, nothing wrong with getting a breakdown of work before hand and the hourly rate. If you think a main dealer is better - believe me they aren't - if they can't plug it in they are clueless and worse, there is usually one organ grinder and some real monkeys in these places.

 

Thanks for your help everyone - I feel a lot better now. I don't begrudge paying the money, but want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of because I'm a girl and know nowt :

I am looking into doing some kind of p/t basic level mechanics course as I would like to learn more and be able to do some jobs myself, or at least have the vaguest idea what everything is called and where it is when it stops working ;D

 

Engine service (you can do it on your drive in an hour or 2 just follow a manual)
Fitting 2 bumpers (purchased by me) (20 mins work just a few bolts)
Fitting a strap to my new glovebox (purchased by me) (10 mins )
Fitting a new indicator relay (I can understand not wanting to mess with your electrics if your not sure what your doing but to a mechanic this job is a pice of cake)

I think you have an expensive mechanic but they are nearly all jobs you could do easily yourself and save £££££

A long time ago someone said to me "if you dont like working on an air cooled motor you just bought the wrong car" I agree with it unless you very deep pockets.

 

It doesn't do to give the impression you don't care what it costs. Ask for a breakdown, or better still, ask next time before the work commences. He won't be put out.

 

Best not tell you that I charge a lot less than £50 an hour then...

But a service would be the £120 to £140 bracket... purely based on parts prices and the cost of oil now!!

 

my mechanic once rebuilt my 2.1l volvo engine, and did the brakes , for £25 and a second hand fish tank.

the robbing git! >

 

In my experience something as simple as fitting bumpers on a bus can usually turn into a nightmare of broken bolts and rusted in studs, often highlighting why the bus didnt have them fitted previously.

Just something to consider

 

Engine service is on the money but even allowing for rusty bolts on the bumpers the rest of it should have been an hour labour tops in my opinion... next time you take it in just ask for a ballpark figure at the start of the job and if its going to cost more once he gets into it get him to call before proceeding. That way you can pop in to check what the problem is thats going to cost you more if you feel the lead could be about to swing
Thats the way i always work, then no one gets any nasty surprises if things start to go pear shaped!

 

...that's assuming the bumpers had brackets already fitted to them.

Last Friday night I removed my rear bumper, removed my towbar and silencer. I then fitted a different silencer and refitted the rear bumper. I can't refit the towbar just yet as it won't clear the zorst.

It took me around 4 hours to get everything off and then back on nice and straight, and i'm not ham fisted with a spanner. There are too many on here all set to burn your guy at the stake, as I said before, sounds like he's done a job at a price, if you're happy with the job what's the problem?. Take the advice that you should always agree a price upfront, or at the very least get an estimate. You'll avoid any issue if you find out what his hourly rate is too. A good mechanic will want anywhere in the region of £50 to £75 an hour. If you're lucky you'll find a good one who's happy to scrape by on less