Routine servicing

[Carol Anne]

My new garage has charged my friend (I introduced her) two hours labour for a service in which they changed the oil and filters and 'checked' the brakes, the only work actually mentioned on the bill, what else are they likely to have done that would take two hours? My old garage used to charge for an hour, but then again I have no way of knowing if they were doing a thorough job,(93 Accord 2L) Like most females we are deeply distrustful of garages and although she would be within her rights to go in and ask for a detailed invoice of every single thing they did and how long it took to do, she hasn't got the nerve Im afraid in case they hold it against her in the future.

[blueoval]

a service is basically a MOT. this involves checking most major parts of a vehicle, brakes, oil leaks, filters, basically that the vehicle is in a roadworthy state. the only difference between the 2 is a MOT is a certificate required by law. a service is an intermediate check, not required by law.

[jake-the-peg]

An MOT has a specified set of tests.

Unfortunately a "service" is not defined in the same hard and fast way and is likely to include things not on the MOT as well

It's therefore entirely reasonable to ask what the "service" entailed although it would have been better to ask first.

I agree 2 hours to change oil and filters and check the brakes seems a bit heavy.

I'd assume they also checked the other fluids like break and clutch fluid levels, inspected hose pipes, visible belts and exhaust for wear.

Is it a diesel? Normally I'd expect spark plugs to be changed unless it's a diesel which obviously doesn't have them and I'd expect to see them itemised on the bill.

Personally I'd chalk it up to expreience and next time when you book the service ask what's included and how long they normally take to do a service before you book it.

[nic3c]

If you want to double check what the garage should have done in the service, have a look at the service manual which came with the car. This should list everything which should be changed at an annual service or major service, so you can check what they're saying against this.

[Carol Anne]

My mother , daft old bat, thinks there ought to be garages for 'lady' drivers staffed by niace 'lady' mechanics. Bless!

Thinking about it though I sometimes wish there were.

[Grunty]

It is sometimes worth saving a bit of money by doing the easy things yourself. I appreciate that some things are not easy to everybody, but I don't pay people to check my tyre pressures, fluid levels, top up the washer bottle etc.

[Carol Anne]

Yes Grunty I would tend to agree. After changing the oiland filters, which I have often had done while I waited in around 20 minutes, I can't see how it would take another hour and forty minutes visibly check everything else like fluids, hoses, pressures, exhaust etc. I mean an actual MOT only takes around 25 mins doesn't it.

Oh how I HATE garages!!!!!! grrr

[derekpara]

The most important thing with modern cars is regular oil and filter changes - every six months is recommended especially if you do short runs. Grunty is right, most of the checks are easily done. Kwik-Fit will change your oil and Filter very cheaply, check your tyres and braking system for free. Just keep a note of brake fluid, spark plug changes, wiper blades etc. WD40 your locks every year,look under the bonnet every week to check the usual levels and look for oil/water leaks etc.

Good luck.

[Andy Boz]

It sounds like most businesses these days, they have targets to meet. The way it works is this, each job has an hourly value. Oil and filter may be .5 of an hour, changing a headlight bulb would be .2 . The mechanics simply put down what they have done, and it gets booked out. Now if the mechanic is smart, he'll take the sump plug out, let the oil drain, and whilst that is happening he'll do the bulb. Back to the oil, new filter, plug in, and 8 pints of oil. Result he's done two jobs in .4 of an hour, gets paid for the .7, and goes off for a Woodbine.

The costong of 2 hours seems high for the stated work, ask the garage for an itemised bill, including parts, and see what they actually charged for.

Regards

Andy

[Dagman]

How about going back and asking for a list as proof for someone who is interested in buying the car! People do ask for that kind of thing anyways when buying so they know they don't have to do it. Don't forget the list needs to show what was done not just a stamped sheet with 'serviced' on it! as the buyer is fussy.... ; )

[Carol Anne]

Thanks for your contributions everyone.

I think I am going to do the smart thing from now on and ask for a itemised bill beforehand ! and better still learn do do some of it myself.

Carol-Anne

[Furby]

I think a lot of this is due to manufacturers giving the dealers agreed timings for the work carried out, rather than you just paying for a fast or slow mechanic. It helps the dealers to recoup income they lost on car sales after prices "dropped". If an annual service on a Corsa cost 2 hours labour, why does an annual service on, say, a Ferrari cost �1500 ? Simply what the market will stand.