Repair Bill - Is this a rip-off?

T

thespringfield

Member
Hi

I just picked up my A2 TDI 1.4 from a local garage who are supposed to have a great reputation etc etc.

I supplied all parts and I instructed the garage to undertake the following work:

1. replace 2 x front suspension springs as well as strut top bearings
2. replace front anti-roll bar and bushes
3. replace 2 x front brake discs and pads
4. reset wheel alignment (not done as he said he couldn't get his equipment onto it)

I got charged £195 plus VAT (£229.13 all-in) for Labour. there was no breakdown of the labour just a labour operations report and no indication of how long was spent on the vehicle. I used this garage before for an older car I had and I thought he charged £35 and hour plus vat.

Have I been ripped off? They are always asking me to fill out the 'good garage scheme' questionnaire so I'm keen to hear your opinions on whether this was value for money or not before I comment on the good garage scheme website.

Thanks in advance,

Martin

PS. Had to get the front wheels aligned at quik-fit for £24.95.
 
It;s not what I'd call a rip off, but it is a little on the steep side. The springs and top bearings require the dropping of the entire damper assembly, which is a big and time consuming job, then all the rest can be done with the wheels still of the car.

I'd say 2.5 - 3 hours labour, maybe more if they've never worked on an A2 before, so you're looking at about £100-120 plus VAT

On the other hand, an Audi dealer wouls have been nearer to the £500 mark, with a full 4 wheel alignment accounting for nearly £200 of that!

Cheers,

Mike
 
Yes I think I had similar expectations on labour costs. I might (reluctantly) let them off with that though and perhaps try another garage next time. Is it advisable to get rear wheels aligned? Also my steering wheel is at approximately 1 o clock instead of completely straight now (it was like this before the repair). Any ideas about that? I think it has got slightly worse. Yes, I got what I thought was an expensive wheel alignment quote from an independent audi garage - £90. But £200 is unreal!
 
Out of interest, would anyone else in the forum reading this consider complaining to the garage if the labour cost didn't seem to be based on their regular hourly rate? I'm writing a small piece of feedback which is mainly positive but just considering putting it in as a negative point.
 
thespringfield said:
Yes I think I had similar expectations on labour costs. I might (reluctantly) let them off with that though and perhaps try another garage next time. Is it advisable to get rear wheels aligned? Also my steering wheel is at approximately 1 o clock instead of completely straight now (it was like this before the repair). Any ideas about that? I think it has got slightly worse. Yes, I got what I thought was an expensive wheel alignment quote from an independent audi garage - £90. But £200 is unreal!
Click to expand...

Wheel alignment is an emotive issue and it's been covered in great detail on these pages.

I know it's no use to you up in Scotland, but Awesome in Manchester are the only people I've come across that have managed to achieve the holy grail of no pulling to the left, a straight wheel and reasonable costs (£60).

Even Audi in Stockport couldn't do it!

The trouble with places like Kwik Fit etc is that they tend to do adjustments to one side only, which pulls the wheel over, resulting in a wonky steering wheel. The rear wheels are non-adjustable, but it is worth getting a full alignment as errors in the rear can to some extent be dialled out by front adjustments.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Skipton01 said:
Wheel alignment is an emotive issue and it's been covered in great detail on these pages.

I know it's no use to you up in Scotland, but Awesome in Manchester are the only people I've come across that have managed to achieve the holy grail of no pulling to the left, a straight wheel and reasonable costs (£60).

Even Audi in Stockport couldn't do it!

The trouble with places like Kwik Fit etc is that they tend to do adjustments to one side only, which pulls the wheel over, resulting in a wonky steering wheel. The rear wheels are non-adjustable, but it is worth getting a full alignment as errors in the rear can to some extent be dialled out by front adjustments.

Cheers,

Mike
Click to expand...

Cheers Mike! And thanks for the springs you supplied me! They were just the job!
 
thespringfield said:
Cheers Mike! And thanks for the springs you supplied me! They were just the job!
Click to expand...

Absolutely no problems Martin - you'll forever have a little piece of Tank running round with you!

I think your plan to put it down to experience and try somewhere else in the future is probably the best one.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Most garages use a standard repair time bible to quote for work. It gives an indication of how many hours labour they will require to do most jobs on most cars. Ask to see it, (it may be electronic) which should give you the standard hours for the job, then ask for their hourly rate - and Bobs your Aunty's live in lover!

Cheers

Jonathan
 
thespringfield said:
Hi

I just picked up my A2 TDI 1.4 from a local garage who are supposed to have a great reputation etc etc.

I supplied all parts and I instructed the garage to undertake the following work:

1. replace 2 x front suspension springs as well as strut top bearings
2. replace front anti-roll bar and bushes
3. replace 2 x front brake discs and pads
4. reset wheel alignment (not done as he said he couldn't get his equipment onto it)

I got charged £195 plus VAT (£229.13 all-in) for Labour. there was no breakdown of the labour just a labour operations report and no indication of how long was spent on the vehicle. I used this garage before for an older car I had and I thought he charged £35 and hour plus vat.

Have I been ripped off? They are always asking me to fill out the 'good garage scheme' questionnaire so I'm keen to hear your opinions on whether this was value for money or not before I comment on the good garage scheme website.

Thanks in advance,

Martin

PS. Had to get the front wheels aligned at quik-fit for £24.95.
Click to expand...

Did you supply your own parts? as this will add to the labour cost.
also at approx 50 quid an hour for a independant it only adds up to 4 hours labour, not too bad really

As skipton says for an in-depth alignment discussion see http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7148 ;)
 
Well either way you generally pay if a garage can't make it on the parts they may crank up the labour to compensate. its not uncommon to do this as supplying of parts is one area that the garage can make a significant margin. A 205lt barrel of oil costs approx £160 to £250 (depending on the grade). You get charged £40 for 5ltrs even my poor maths makes that £1400 for the garage, taking off the inital purchase. :)
 
seems reasonable to me. I have personally done all of the jobs listed and there is no way of knowing when a siezed bolt or other such gremlin can cause extra work.(one of my top struts took a whole afternoon to do becasue of a siezed captive nut in an inaccesable position) dont get too worked up about needing wheel alignment either, my experience is that if it was ok before then it is likeley to be ok after. it is easy to check with a set of dunlop style gauges. we used to do that for customers for free as a no obligation check, find someone who will do that if you can.
 
i think thats a fare price for the job they did,i changed the spring and bearing drivers side on my wifes car and was'nt an easy job
 
Skipton01 said:
Wheel alignment is an emotive issue and it's been covered in great detail on these pages.

I know it's no use to you up in Scotland, but Awesome in Manchester are the only people I've come across that have managed to achieve the holy grail of no pulling to the left, a straight wheel and reasonable costs (£60).

Even Audi in Stockport couldn't do it!

The trouble with places like Kwik Fit etc is that they tend to do adjustments to one side only, which pulls the wheel over, resulting in a wonky steering wheel. The rear wheels are non-adjustable, but it is worth getting a full alignment as errors in the rear can to some extent be dialled out by front adjustments.

Cheers,


Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, strange you say that about Audi Stockport when their body shop in Audenshaw manged to sort eggbert out straight and true and he handled better than before the accident!
Mike
 
tdiman said:
Mike, strange you say that about Audi Stockport when their body shop in Audenshaw manged to sort eggbert out straight and true and he handled better than before the accident!
Mike
Click to expand...

Yes, but that was the bodyshop, who are excellent. The dealership itself didn't come close to their standards, although they supposedly set things by the book.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Skipton01 said:
The trouble with places like Kwik Fit etc is that they tend to do adjustments to one side only, which pulls the wheel over, resulting in a wonky steering wheel.
Click to expand...

I've just been back to quik-fit and I explained that I wasn't happy about the 'wonky' steering wheel. They put it up on the ramp and played with it for about 10 mins and it's OK now, a lot better. Another local place has been recommended to me for future, they do 4-wheel alignment there so I'll probably try them next time I need it done. But for the £24.95 or whatever it was I paid quik-fit, I'm quite happy just now! :D
 
Trust me the 4 wheel alignment will adjust only the same parts as Quickfit. The 2 tie rods on the front steering rack, but charge shed loads for doing it.
 
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