Average price of a mechanic?

EKRIUQ

Over the last few years my local mechanic has been increasing his prices nearly every year and I consider him to be a quite capable mechanic and very modern for an independent garage and has lot of the diagnostic equipment.

About 5 years ago his rate was approx €17 per hour plus vat but on looking at my last invoice his price is now €39.95 per hour plus vat (€45.34).

Just wondering what other mechanics charge per hour and how much more expensive main dealers are.

Mr.Diagnostic

Is a small skinny mal nourished looking chap?

I only ask because if he is running a well equipped modern garage and charging at that level there is no way he can afford to eat.


Seriously, that is a very low cost for labour.

EKRIUQ

He has 6 other mechanics working for him and they all look well fed.

What's the average price then?

unkel

A capable mechanic with diagnostic equipment for €45 per hour? That's a good rate. Make sure you keep going there

cianclarke

I know a place around the corner from me is at €100/hour, but outside of Dublin with my regular here in Waterford I think it only works out at something like 30/hr!!!

McSpud

cianclarke wrote: »

I know a place around the corner from me is at €100/hour, but outside of Dublin with my regular here in Waterford I think it only works out at something like 30/hr!!!

Rates very greatly around the country & would think those differences unusual.

OP seems to be from "Location: WoW" so maybe especially cheap their

Mr.Diagnostic

I think labour costs should be like everything else in life, you should get what you pay for.

Unfortunately, the reality is that not everything in life is equitable.

Labour costs tend to vary depending on the overheads of the garage. In general, there is no average but I would expect hourly rates to vary from €40 to €100.
In this day and age garages have the option of investing in their ability to properly repair modern cars and those that do so have no option but to reflect this in their labour charges.

Captain Slow IRL

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

In this day and age garages have the option of investing in their ability to properly repair modern cars and those that do so have no option but to reflect this in their labour charges.

A lot of main dealers have labour rates set by the manufacturer or head office in the country and can't really do anything with them.

Cafiend

Hi I was wondering regarding prices.

I went to my mechanic today and he charged me €550 for a full service which included replacing brake pads front & back, wipers (€52?), oil, oil filter, screen wash (?), bulbs (one I think), and diagnostics (free they said). The car is a Renault scenic 05, so I felt it was very expensive.

Also I asked them to ring me with the price before they did anything and they rang to say it would be €460 - I thought this was very high but needed the job done so told them to go ahead. When I arrived a few hours later to pay it had gone up to €550 (they apologised and said that they forgot to add the VAT). I gave out a bit but ended up paying them.

I had used them last year and found them expensive however the expense the last time were "once off problems" .

I would like to get a bit of idea of if this is quite high or acceptable?

BTW the labour was €70 plus VAT

Tipsy Mac

Cafiend wrote: »

Hi I was wondering regarding prices.

I went to my mechanic today and he charged me €550 for a full service which included replacing brake pads front & back, wipers (€52?), oil, oil filter, screen wash (?), bulbs (one I think), and diagnostics (free they said). The car is a Renault scenic 05, so I felt it was very expensive.

Also I asked them to ring me with the price before they did anything and they rang to say it would be €460 - I thought this was very high but needed the job done so told them to go ahead. When I arrived a few hours later to pay it had gone up to €550 (they apologised and said that they forgot to add the VAT). I gave out a bit but ended up paying them.

I had used them last year and found them expensive however the expense the last time were "once off problems" .

I would like to get a bit of idea of if this is quite high or acceptable?

BTW the labour was €70 plus VAT

I'd imagine €200 would be more than enough for the parts you have suggested were replaced. Are you sure they didn't do anything else major, were the brake discs replaced too?

rocknchef

I have paid 60 in Dublin and paid 50 in Meath per hour

Voodoomelon

That €550 service was very expensive. When you say "full" service, it actually sounds like you got a standard service plus some new pads, thats all. I wouldn't expect to pay a garage anymore than €250-€300 for they did, going by what you said.

pablosd

Connolys AUDI/VW Ballina charge only 55e/hour and BMW in galway is askin bout 125e/hour, (both authorised dealers), hope dat gives u rough idea

jackblack99

Cafiend wrote: »

Hi I was wondering regarding prices.

I went to my mechanic today and he charged me €550 for a full service which included replacing brake pads front & back, wipers (€52?), oil, oil filter, screen wash (?), bulbs (one I think), and diagnostics (free they said). The car is a Renault scenic 05, so I felt it was very expensive.

Also I asked them to ring me with the price before they did anything and they rang to say it would be €460 - I thought this was very high but needed the job done so told them to go ahead. When I arrived a few hours later to pay it had gone up to €550 (they apologised and said that they forgot to add the VAT). I gave out a bit but ended up paying them.

I had used them last year and found them expensive however the expense the last time were "once off problems" .

I would like to get a bit of idea of if this is quite high or acceptable?

BTW the labour was €70 plus VAT

You got roasted. Thats very pricey. 250 max i would of thought

LoveDucati2

Cafiend wrote: »

Hi I was wondering regarding prices.

I went to my mechanic today and he charged me €550 for a full service which included replacing brake pads front & back, wipers (€52?), oil, oil filter, screen wash (?), bulbs (one I think), and diagnostics (free they said). The car is a Renault scenic 05, so I felt it was very expensive.

Also I asked them to ring me with the price before they did anything and they rang to say it would be €460 - I thought this was very high but needed the job done so told them to go ahead. When I arrived a few hours later to pay it had gone up to €550 (they apologised and said that they forgot to add the VAT). I gave out a bit but ended up paying them.

I had used them last year and found them expensive however the expense the last time were "once off problems" .

I would like to get a bit of idea of if this is quite high or acceptable?

BTW the labour was €70 plus VAT

You got ripped off, pads cost fu*kall and take very little time to change. It looks like there is about €100 of parts.

You should have refused to pay anything more than €460.

If I was you I would phone the mechanic and let him know you will be contacting a solicitor over this.

BTW are you female?

Healyc

Seems a bit pricey but put up here the list of parts that were fitted.

I know on some Renaults the rear disks are crazy money as the wheel bearing/disk/hub are all the one unit.

Mr.Diagnostic

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

You got ripped off, pads cost fu*kall and take very little time to change. It looks like there is about €100 of parts.

You should have refused to pay anything more than €460.

If I was you I would phone the mechanic and let him know you will be contacting a solicitor over this.

BTW are you female?

From what was posted the price seems high, but, without full details its not possible to say for sure. The mention of diagnosrics as well as both front and rear brakes without details would make me wonder.

€100 for brakes, both front and rear, oil, filters etc?? Not very likely.

Do you really think that legal advice is warrented in this case or are you just determined to slag off every garage as per your many other threads here?

LoveDucati2

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

From what was posted the price seems high, but, without full details its not possible to say for sure. The mention of diagnosrics as well as both front and rear brakes without details would make me wonder.

€100 for brakes, both front and rear, oil, filters etc?? Not very likely.

Do you really think that legal advice is warrented in this case or are you just determined to slag off every garage as per your many other threads here?

If you think the price paid is fair just say so. Would you be happy to pay that much for the work that was done?

Mr.Diagnostic

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

If you think the price paid is fair just say so. Would you be happy to pay that much for the work that was done?

Read what you quoted from me again

I already said that I don’t think there is enough detail available to make that judgement.

Cafiend

Guys many thanks for all you comments;

The price as per the bill is exactly ;

Full Service
Replaced Oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plugs, screen wash, bulbs, wiper blades,

Replaced Front Brake Pads, Replaced Rear Brake Pads*.

Cleared Air bag faults**

Flap behind wheel fixed ***
___________________

*I was told that the labour for the brake pads was 2 hours.

**this was a loose wire under the passenger seat that triggered the warning sign for the airbag - it is still not fixed by the way.
***this was a mud flap on one of the rear wheels which was loose.

Rod & Reel

im having mine done on friday.
brakes pads, oil, oil filter, plugs,(i bought myself wanted car make ones) also im getting the body throttle replace (again i bought seperate)
on tuesday i had my mechanic clean a the sensor lite.
i have already agreed a price for all of this work and it comes to 300.

i think its decent.

but after looking at volvos pic on his service i think ill be doing it myself next time

LoveDucati2

Cafiend wrote: »

Guys many thanks for all you comments;

The price as per the bill is exactly ;

Full Service
Replaced Oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plugs, screen wash, bulbs, wiper blades,

Replaced Front Brake Pads, Replaced Rear Brake Pads*.

Cleared Air bag faults**

Flap behind wheel fixed ***
___________________

*I was told that the labour for the brake pads was 2 hours.

**this was a loose wire under the passenger seat that triggered the warning sign for the airbag - it is still not fixed by the way.
***this was a mud flap on one of the rear wheels which was loose.

That is crazy. 2 hours to change pads.

It should have been 1 hour labour for the whole job.

Parts would be about €150 which he is making about 25% profit on as well.

So €410 for labour then + €37.50 profit on parts.

You should name and shame.

LoveDucati2

Rod & Reel wrote: »

im having mine done on friday.
brakes pads, oil, oil filter, plugs,(i bought myself wanted car make ones) also im getting the body throttle replace (again i bought seperate)
on tuesday i had my mechanic clean a the sensor lite.
i have already agreed a price for all of this work and it comes to 300.

i think its decent.

but after looking at volvos pic on his service i think ill be doing it myself next time

Thats only 2 hours labour max for that job.

You are buying all the parts, why you paying him so much?

Voodoomelon

I actually cant wait til May when i'll be doing my first FULL service myself.

So far i've only done oil and brake fluid, but once the good weather starts ill be picking a day and doing oil, oil filter, air filter, bonnet microfilters, cabin aircon filters, coolant flush and replacement, brake fluid replacement, spark plug change, brake pad change, greasing wheel hubs, rear diff fluid replacement, new wiper blades, change fuel filter, lube all locks and hinges and check for all kinds of leaks.

About €400 if I do it myself, beats paying BMW €1400 to do the same thing and best of all, I know its all actually done, and done right.

LoveDucati2

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I actually cant wait til May when i'll be doing my first FULL service myself.

So far i've only done oil and brake fluid, but once the good weather starts ill be picking a day and doing oil, oil filter, air filter, bonnet microfilters, cabin aircon filters, coolant flush and replacement, brake fluid replacement, spark plug change, brake pad change, greasing wheel hubs, rear diff fluid replacement, new wiper blades, change fuel filter, lube all locks and hinges and check for all kinds of leaks.

About €400 if I do it myself, beats paying BMW €1400 to do the same thing and best of all, I know its all actually done, and done right.

What BMW you drivin?

Rod & Reel

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

Thats only 2 hours labour max for that job.

You are buying all the parts, why you paying him so much?

no im only buyin the plugs and the throttle body myself, he supplies the rest.
so 3 i think is ok

Rod & Reel

About €400 if I do it myself, beats paying BMW €1400 to do the same thing and best of all, I know its all actually done, and done right.

see thats thing, ul know its done right, best of luck, ill be doing my own after this 1 too.

Voodoomelon

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

What BMW you drivin?

Take a wild guess... :pac:

To be honest, I wouldn't be doing half of that if it wasn't for www.e38.org, it has to be the most comprehensively covered car i've ever seen in terms of online tuturials, for a car that you virtually never see on the roads.

garyegt

any online forum dedicated to cars are where ya gotta be! im a member of www.npoc.co.uk for nissan primeras, gotta say if youve got a question, they can answer it! its all just experience and them sharing knowledge with one another

Voodoomelon

There really is a forum for all cars, I wonder it there's a Matiz forum?! The lads on bimmerforums know more than all the dealers in this country combined, its fantastic.

Darragh29

Cafiend wrote: »

Guys many thanks for all you comments;

The price as per the bill is exactly ;

Full Service
Replaced Oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plugs, screen wash, bulbs, wiper blades,

Replaced Front Brake Pads, Replaced Rear Brake Pads*.

Cleared Air bag faults**

Flap behind wheel fixed ***
___________________

*I was told that the labour for the brake pads was 2 hours.

**this was a loose wire under the passenger seat that triggered the warning sign for the airbag - it is still not fixed by the way.
***this was a mud flap on one of the rear wheels which was loose.

I've been avoiding this thead all day...

OP, for that money being spent, I'd be expecting the issue with the airbag connection issue under the seat to have been resolved for a start. If they could diagnose the problem, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect them to have sorted out the open circuit issue with the connection and on this basis, eliminate the fault from reoccuring.

Unless they have to order in a new connection or something, this should have been resolved I think. It's hard to see the point in clearing fault codes, as you have been charged for, if the outcome of this exercise is not to resolve the issue that is causing the fault to occur in the first place. How have they left it with you on this particular issue, are they ordering in a part to resolve this for you or what is the story here???

Also, 2 hours for changing brake pads on both axles is OTT to be honest.

galwaytt

Local indy #1, Eur 35/hr
Local indy #2, Eur 40/hr

Both good - have let them work on everything from small stuff to gearbox out job on my P-cars.

Main Saab dealer Galway Eur 90/hr
Motorpark Galway Eur 90/hr

OP - are you sure about the Eur17/hr - even 5 yrs ago that'd have been shockingly cheap.........

LoveDucati2

Cafiend wrote: »

Guys many thanks for all you comments;

The price as per the bill is exactly ;

Full Service
Replaced Oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plugs, screen wash, bulbs, wiper blades,

Replaced Front Brake Pads, Replaced Rear Brake Pads*.

Cleared Air bag faults**

Flap behind wheel fixed ***
___________________

*I was told that the labour for the brake pads was 2 hours.

**this was a loose wire under the passenger seat that triggered the warning sign for the airbag - it is still not fixed by the way.
***this was a mud flap on one of the rear wheels which was loose.

So €410 for labour then + €37.50 profit on parts.

You should name and shame.


You got rippped off.

I would contact the garage again and asked for invoices for the parts used and then inform them that you will be instructing a solicitor.

They overcharged you at least €200.
In My honest Opinion thought it's more like €300-350.

Rod & Reel wrote: »

im having mine done on friday.
brakes pads, oil, oil filter, plugs,(i bought myself wanted car make ones) also im getting the body throttle replace (again i bought seperate)
on tuesday i had my mechanic clean a the sensor lite.
i have already agreed a price for all of this work and it comes to 300.

i think its decent.

but after looking at volvos pic on his service i think ill be doing it myself next time

Rod & Reel wrote: »

no im only buyin the plugs and the throttle body myself, he supplies the rest.
so 3 i think is ok

The parts are no more than €150 max, less than €100 from UK.
The job should take way less than 2 hours. You are paying too much.

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Take a wild guess... :pac:

www.e38.org,

A BMW 728i

Wasn't sure, you coulda been some young fella pretending.

I have a list of about 60 cars that I always wanted to own, I have knocked 10 off it so far. A 728 from 98 onwards is one of them. Is it underpowered for size? BTW that e38 website is comprehensive.

Rod & Reel

ducati. i paid 60 for the throttle body, second hand. (renault 234 plus vat new) i p aid 11 for the plugs. his service is 140 and 70 for brakes he is charging me 60 for fitting ther throttle body so its 270 sorry i wasnt adding it up rite. so i still think its ok.
maybe im being done. let me know and u seem to know a bit so maybe u can recommend 1 in south side

galwaytt

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

I would contact the garage again and asked for invoices for the parts used and then inform them that you will be instructing a solicitor.

...oh yeah, and he'll tell you to take a hike -and charge you to tell you as well.

The fact is, in the absence of a specific, written and agreed quote in advance, you haven't a leg to stand on. To tout 'solicitor' like that is a ball of nonsense.

OP, far better, say, if you're happy with the work, but not the price, that you just tell the garage, politely, that you're not happy with the charges, and that when you next need work done (for there will always be more...), if they want the work, they'll have to price it with competion in mind......or give you some token towards your next service, to keep your business.

Voodoomelon

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

A BMW 728i

Wasn't sure, you coulda been some young fella pretending.

I have a list of about 60 cars that I always wanted to own, I have knocked 10 off it so far. A 728 from 98 onwards is one of them. Is it underpowered for size? BTW that e38 website is comprehensive.

Since Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, I was always getting an E38, I wanted a 735i but the insurance was an extra €1000 a year over the 728i, so I went with the 728i.

I'd say the standard 728i wouldn't be the fastest saloon on the road, but I have the Sport model which apart from all the lovely aesthetic bits has lower front suspension, a higher 3.15 diff and the steptronic box, so its faster than the 740 and 750 top speed wise by a fair whack. Love it to bits.

Cafiend

Thanks for all advice

I reckon I'll just have a word with them. Although I reckon I won't be using them again as this isn't the first time I have been charged a lot.


Anyone know a good mechanic in Limerick?