First Time at a Mechanic in Australia, Need Advice

LWazzza on 25/11/2020 - 12:03
Last edited 25/11/2020 - 14:29 by 1 other user

Hello. I have no experience in car mechanics specially the costs of repairs here but I think I'm about to get ripped off. I am in Melbourne and took the car ( Camry 2006 ) for road worthy check. The guy told me all is good I just need to change 4 control arm bushes. He said it will cost me $500 plus the RWC $200. That sounded too much for me but I have little experience so I might be wrong. The mechanic is in Reservoir.

Do you guys know if this is a reasonable price?

Sorry for bothering you guys. I wish I wasn't on a low budget otherwise I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Automotive Mechanic

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 25/11/2020 - 12:10
    +6

    Sound pretty reasonable.

    RWC in Victoria typically $170-$200

    Control arm bushes not that expensive, guessing $80, but can be a b!tch to install (not sure about camry) so might be a bit of labour.

    Are you selling the car?

    • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 14:04

      A bitch to install is an understatement. On a 14yo car that has enough dirt, mud, crap, corrosion on everything that makes it near impossible to undo bolts. I hate replacing any suspension bushes.

  • Hithere on 25/11/2020 - 12:13
    +4

    It'll take roughly 3 hours + of labour to replace them so as MS Paint ^^^^ has said it's pretty reasonable.

    The car will need a wheel alignment after the work is done - is that included in their quote?

    Ask the mechanic if they'll do a cashy ;)

  • FocusRider on 25/11/2020 - 12:15
    +5

    For a 2006 Camry that only needs control arm bushes for RWC that is pretty good. Most of that $500 is labour mate they are a pain in the ass to remove and refit.

    • kerfuffle on 25/11/2020 - 12:26

      I'm probably wrong, but a RWC sounds more like a blue slip than a pink slip

      • FocusRider on 25/11/2020 - 12:38
        +2

        RWC is a safety inspection so a pink slip if you're from NSW.

        • pegaxs on 25/11/2020 - 14:06

          And a blue slip is basically a pink slip with VIN and ID validation…

  • apsilon on 25/11/2020 - 12:18
    +2

    Yeah sounds reasonable to me, most of it will be labour charge to pull and replace the arms. You guys get ripped on roadworthy though. NSW is $41 IIRC.

    • Jugganautx on 25/11/2020 - 12:44
      +3

      Roadworthy is $0 in SA

    • Broke-Ken on 25/11/2020 - 13:21
      +1

      You guys get ripped on roadworthy though. NSW is $41 IIRC.

      We sure do, but only need to get a RWC when we sell a vehicle or get a defect notice from the police….. how often do you need to get a RWC(pink slip) in NSW?

      • AndyC1 on 25/11/2020 - 13:39
        +1

        Pink slip details:
        "An eSafety (or pink slip) inspection report verifies your vehicle is safe and ready for the road. Most light vehicles more than 5 years old will require an eSafety check before they can be registered in NSW"

  • brendanm on 25/11/2020 - 12:19
    +1

    Sounds pretty fair.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 25/11/2020 - 13:22
    +1

    For a 2006 car to only need that for a roadworthy, that's pretty good.

  • Wazzza on 25/11/2020 - 13:36
    +1

    Wow didn't expect this many replies! You guys are awesome I appreciate your help.

    I had the car for a year but I was overseas for more than 3 months so I need a new RWC to have VicRoads inspect it and register it again.

    Thanks again this was helpful.

    • AndyC1 on 25/11/2020 - 13:43
      +2

      Lesson learnt, do not let any license and/or registration lapse you have in OZ as it is a PITA to get it back. Watch your drivers license when you go overseas that it does not lapse.

      • Wazzza on 25/11/2020 - 15:05
        +1

        Lesson learnt indeed haha I'm laughing but crying at the same time. Can't blame but myself. Thanks for the advice.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/11/2020 - 17:45
          +3

          Holy smokes!

          Someone who actually accepts the answers given and able to accept that the fault is their own!

          Here I am worried that the travel restrictions means I won't get to see new things.

    • Hithere on 25/11/2020 - 14:01
      +1

      When did the rego expire exactly?

      In Victoria you have 3 months (90 days) after the expiry date to renew the vehicle registration without requiring a new RWC or having to re register it.

      • Wazzza on 25/11/2020 - 15:04

        5 months :(

        I didn't know about these rules or basic things really dumb of me but never again. Cheers

    • Muzeeb on 25/11/2020 - 14:10

      Dang!

      3 months rego ~$200
      Expired rego + RWC + 3 months rego ~$900

      • Wazzza on 25/11/2020 - 15:05

        Don't put salt on my wounds :( I still have to convince my wife this was necessary and it's not because I was stupid haha

        • Muzeeb on 25/11/2020 - 15:12
          +2

          Just show her this thread then you don't need to explain it all again.

          Hi Mrs Wazzza,

          Your husband is a great bloke. We all make mistakes. If we learn from it then it's OK. Sorry he could not buy that $700 bracelet you always wanted.

          All the best. Merry Christmas.

          • Wazzza on 25/11/2020 - 16:11

            @Muzeeb: Hahaha I'm going to show her this. She wants the car sorted out so we could go on long trips and discover Melbourne and surrounding areas. Guess she will be happy Afterall lol.

            Thank you and have a lovely evening.

        • brendanm on 25/11/2020 - 15:12

          Good to have worn out old bushes replaced anyway. Tell her it's a safety concern, so it needed to be done.

  • brad1-8tsi on 26/11/2020 - 14:08

    Price sounds fair but check how much a complete arm is rather than doing just the bush. The extra cost of parts may reduce the labour costs considerably

    • apsilon on 26/11/2020 - 15:06

      How would it reduce labour costs? Still have to remove the old arm and install the new one. Might save a couple of minutes of pushing the old bushings out and new ones in but then you've still got old bushings.

  • Bargainz on 26/11/2020 - 23:39

    Id take it somewhere else for a second opinion.

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