Car Invoice with an Itemised List

nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 10:57
Last edited 18/02/2024 - 11:49 by 1 other user

Hi, I'm fairly new to the automotive industry practice and regulations in Australia.

Is it a legal requirement for a workshop/mechanic to provide the customer an invoice with breakdown of parts and labours of each service or just a generic statement for each service and their total is legally sufficient?

I noticed all German car workshops I went to always provided invoices with details (parts, labours) but the generic workshops, esp. for Asian cars only provided the latter form, ie, a service (replacing X) with total.

Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • brendanm on 18/02/2024 - 11:07
    +7

    Username checks out.

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 12:56

      So?

      • PeterSnoot on 19/02/2024 - 08:02

        It's the sort of comment that was probably funny when it first appeared a couple of decades ago and continue to amuse some people. They waste space in forums (yes, so does my comment) so you are best to ignore them.

        • brendanm on 19/02/2024 - 08:50
          +3

          Someone's jealous they didn't get in early with that comment 😘

        • BigBirdy on 19/02/2024 - 10:31

          Username checks out.

  • BOGOF on 18/02/2024 - 11:11
    +6

    Typically a stealership will provide an itemised invoice, whereas independent mechanics tend to provide a list of items used/replaced with just a total amount, although this is inconsistent.

    As far as legal requirements are concerned. Yes, a business must provide an itemised invoice if asked
    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-servic…

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 12:56

      Thank you. It's good to know that. I think the regulations got circumvented with itemised invoices but still generic.

      I have better feelings with workshops/mechanics who, without me asking, provide a itemised list with breakdown, parts & labours. I don't go to the dealers but most of the German car workshops I went to provided just that.

  • jv on 18/02/2024 - 11:11
    +1

    Is it a legal requirement for a workshop/mechanic to provide the customer an invoice with breakdown of parts and labours of each service

    No, but you are free to ask for one…
    Best done before they start so you don't waste their time afterwards.

    If you don't ask, then they don't need to.

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 12:57
      -1

      Thank you 👍

  • randomusername2017 on 18/02/2024 - 11:58
    +5

    German car workshops I went to always provided invoices with details

    sometimes the total requires greater explanation..

    • djones145 on 18/02/2024 - 12:25
      +3

      BMW owner
      charged 10 dollars to check that indciator works

      MERC AMG owner
      charged 100 bucks to ensure AMG badge is still on

      • payless69 on 18/02/2024 - 15:25
        +1

        Black Bimmer: $100 for topping up blinker fluid?

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 18/02/2024 - 21:55
        +4

        BMW owner
        charged 10 dollars to check that indciator works

        Charging for something that isn't used huh?

      • barcer on 19/02/2024 - 10:00

        BMW owner
        charged 10 dollars to check that indciator works

        Fairly certain that this has never, ever been part of a BMW service. Not in Australia, at least.

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 12:56
      +1

      Not really, or perhaps I was lucky to come to honest German car workshops/mechanics.

      • LFO on 19/02/2024 - 11:23

        German car

        German? South African? Spanish? Turkish?

        I VWonder what is that? Just be Merciful please.

  • holdenmg on 18/02/2024 - 12:08
    +1

    Is it a fixed price or Capped price servicing.

    If so, you might just get charged that.

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 12:58

      I went to independent mechanics/workshops mostly, so rarely capped services. Just normal services and extra if necessary.

  • Euphemistic on 18/02/2024 - 17:24

    Why is it important?

    From my experiences dealers tend to download a list of stuff they are supposed to do according to the manual and print it on the invoice to make themselves feel superior. I suspect that many items arent done properly if at all and the apprentice does the oil change. Eg the schedule says they grease the door locks but that would be something thats overlooked frequently unless the door feels funny.

    As for independents, theyll focus on the improtant stuff like hids and filters, have a bit of a look around and a test drive and use their experience to determine what they need to do rather than wasting time 'inspecting' a bunch of stuff that never wears out or greasing door hinges that show no signs of problems.

    So, dealers list stuff they dont do and reputavle local workshops dont list stuff they do do IMO.

    • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 17:28

      I mentioned the independent mechanics/workshops I went to, not sure why you assume they are dealers? This might not be important for you but for me, it's kinda. Perhaps from where I lived before Australia, it's a simple and transparent practice.

      • brendanm on 18/02/2024 - 18:04
        -2

        Then ask before you have the job done. What does it matter what the breakdown is anyway if you are happy with the price?

      • Euphemistic on 18/02/2024 - 18:33

        Inused thebexa.pme of dealerships to identify why i think its pointless. Anyone can add a copied list from the scheduled service manual.

        IMO its a near pointless addition of work to the process. What real value do you get from an itemised bill? Sure, i like to see the price of the parts they use, but do you really need a breakdown for labour? Just becasue the office manager has diligently typed it I the invoice doesn't mean its been done. As above i dont see need to include anything other than 'perform
        xxx000km scheduled service' for labour.

        • nothing2do on 18/02/2024 - 19:17

          I don't say I insisted or needed breakdown of labours but the breakdown (regardless of from dealerships or independents) to me is a great value of transparency and to certain extent showing that they could provide me that with little extra effort. There are plenty of computer apps and tools, and it seems some got their processes right and efficient.

          Performing xxx000km service for a total X is a trivial example and often capped or agreed upon, so the breakdown might not have a lot of merit. But for other types of service, ie the non-regular ones, a simple breaking down of parts and sum of labour on the task is a fair ask.

          My point here is about the difference and inconsistency between workshops / mechanics on that matter, most of them I know are independent. Not that I desperately need a breakdown, just appreciate who did. I often don't ask the breakdown anyway, just if there are any unclear, I will ask.

          • Euphemistic on 18/02/2024 - 19:26

            @nothing2do: Fair enough. We are all different and expect different things from our service providers. I came from a business where everything was checklisted up the wazoo. I do t believe it added a lot of value becasue much of it was just tick and flick.

  • AustriaBargain on 18/02/2024 - 19:29
    -1

    Well they can just make up prices for everything. They wouldn't be counting the minutes for each part done. You aren't hiring them as en employee, you are agreeing to a service and they kinda make up a price, it would be impossible to know exactly how hard or how long each and every thing would take.

  • 2esc on 19/02/2024 - 08:47

    Ive never had work done that didnt come with a itemised invoice.

    • Euphemistic on 19/02/2024 - 10:39

      Depends on your definition of itemised. Parts $219, labour $310 could be considered itemised but i suspect OP wants more detail.

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