Hi all, I have a 2017 VW Golf (petrol).
My mechanic just quoted me:
Does this sound right or am I getting ripped off? Google tells me $300-$800.
TIA
Thanks. Don't mind them making a (reasonable) margin on the parts but 3.5 hours vs 0.5 hour seems a bit sus to me.
FWIW, the 70% markup on your parts is not reasonable, even without the insane hours quote.
I wonder if it wqs stilll cheaper than the dealership?
Excuse me Hybroid but the mechanic does have a right to mark up the parts as they must:
a) purchase the parts with thoer money
b) pay for same day delivery
c) warrant both their work and the parts.
If you were in business, would you sell stuff you buy "at cost"?
I doubt it. Quick way to go broke Hybroid.
But alternatively if OP was inquiring about doing the work themselves, then yes, your comment does apply
But OP isnt asking that.
So the correct answer is :
"The mechanics charge looks correct"
And if OP took thier car to a VW dealership expect the labour charge to be more like $240ph (+GST)_
Not disagreeing, and didn't offer any opinion above, just reference links.
However, mechanics don't pay retail price for parts. It's wholesale pricing so would be cheaper than that. They also don't usually pay per item, nor delivery, it's all grouped at either end of the month accounts, or 30/45-day terms, or similar commercial arrangement, so they'll usually have had their money from customers for it already.
The warranty for their work is part of build up for labour costs. The warranty for parts is passed on to the supplier. I do know this for a fact with a faulty ECU that was changed twice. The mechanic didn't cop the cost, they passed it on to the supplier that provided the faulty part.
Notwithstanding that, of course they have to have some margin and profit on work undertaken. It's for OP to assess whether or not they feel the quote is reasonable and worth the cost/risk balance of DIY or a cheaper place.
Mechanics don't buy parts at retail price. They have trade accounts and get parts at generally quite significant discounts. They can then sell the parts at retail price, will still making money on them. Jacking it further is just being a dick.
Ask the mechanic "If I get the Blinker oil changed, can you cut 25% off the package?" - it always seems to work for me :P
Should get them to change the radiator oil at the same time. And top up the headlight fluid.
get the Blinker oil changed
Convert to the gas ones…
yes
The DIY videos on YouTube to replace the PCV valve only run for 3 minutes so that's quicker than 3+ hours.
Are you burning a lot of oil OP?
Not that I'm aware! Apparently there is an oil leak - which may very well be happening, there are spots (some look fresh) in my garage.
Pay up, don’t listen to backyardy mechanics on here lol
Spotted the mechanic.
Good to have a few more quote
Yeah get 10 waste everyone’s time
Am I Getting Ripped off?
You own a VAG product, so yes.
Anything with a VAG or that floats is going to cost.
If a random person on the internet can do it in 30 minutes "going slow" by their post further down in the linked thread by another poster, then a MECHANIC should not take 7 times as long.
They're taking the piss. I would go back and say that you want to understand how there was 3.5 hours of labor for this task when you understand based on some simple research that it takes much less than that.
Maybe your model is slightly different and they've changed things around?
I used to have an old Subaru Liberty and there was something they needed to fix that was pretty simple but it required them to pretty much take the engine out.
Maybe your model is slightly different and they've changed things around?
Example would be like some BMW engines have PCV built-in within the engine valve cover , so needs a whole new engine valve cover replaced to fix a leaky PCV.
I used to have an old Subaru Liberty and there was something they needed to fix that was pretty simple but it required them to pretty much take the engine out.
Reminds me of early days Toyota 86 needed engine out to replace the spark plugs in boxer engine , whilst Subaru dealerships have special tool for the job done easy.
That Labour charge is eye-watering
Engine Oil Separator $142: https://www.vagparts.com.au/products/04e103464am-pcv-1-4l
Bolt (Oil Separator) $2.66: https://www.vagparts.com.au/products/genuine-volkswagen-audi…
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/replaced-pc…