cost of checking and fixing a trouble code

crazy 88

I have a vw scirocco 09 and getting this sensor error:
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...y-andrew-quinn

I rang MSL motors N Circular Rd (vw dealer) to book in and they said it would need to go on a computer again (and charge me for it) even though I had someone else already check and confirmed the error code.

they said it would cost €120 per hour at a maximum of €240 for whatever work is needed (not including parts).

Does this sound too expensive? would I be charged the same in another garage and is it normal for all garages to insist on checking on their computer even when the error code is known? Maybe I'm wrong but a normal service would be cheaper and more work done compared to checking this one part in my case.

bazz26

I'd only bring a 9 year old car to a main dealer if there no other option around fixing it. Those rates would be on the high side for a main dealer imo around a diagnostic but they cannot take your word for it on the issue and will need to diagnose the fault themselves.

My advise on a car of that age is bring it to a good indy garage or VW specialist who will charge you a good bit less per hour in labour to troubleshoot the problem.

punisher5112

As above a good Indy there is no reason why you would bring it to a main dealer unless you were really wanting a vw stamp on service book.

the_syco

danmci wrote: »

I rang MSL motors N Circular Rd (vw dealer) to book in and they said it would need to go on a computer again (and charge me for it) even though I had someone else already check and confirmed the error code.

If that "someone else" wasn't you, why couldn't they fix it?

danmci wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong but a normal service would be cheaper and more work done compared to checking this one part in my case.

I wonder do they want to touch a 9 year old car?

Cerco

Do you seriously think that any reputable repair shop would embark on a repair based on some other unknown persons’s diagnosis?

In relation to the service cost comparison, do not assume a standard service would include any repairs.
The expertise required to perform a service is lower than that required to diagnose a problem.
You are paying for expertise, experience and use of expensive equipment
On a car that age you would be best to go to an Indy, as suggested already. Try and get a recommendation beforehand.

Toyotafanboi

I think you have a misunderstanding of the repair process for a start.

That and any garage really, not even just a main dealer is very unlikely to proceed with a repair based on a 3rd party judgement call.

You could bring the car in and tell them you have a fault code for cylinder number one misfire and you need a new coil pack, they'd go ahead and fit it and it wouldn't work and it'd turn out the misfire is from low compression and you need an engine rebuild. You'd have wasted their time and your money because they still have to charge you for the coil pack and will charge you even more time then to find out what's actually wrong.

Most main dealers charge a flat rate of one hours labour for a "diagnostic". This charge isn't just to read to fault codes although it does include that. They will read the fault codes and from there read other pieces of live data and use this information to do some physical checks under the bonnet and around the car to confirm what's actually wrong.

For example if your car has a fault for a crankshaft position sensor, it may need the sensor replaced which is nice and handy enough, this may just a symptom and not the cause itself though. The sensor may be faulty, but there could also be an issue with the wiring loom to the sensor, or the component that the sensor is picking up from, often the flywheel, there could be an issue with the timing chain, a cam issue or the ECU itself could be faulty.

This is what you pay for during a good "diagnostic".

Taking a car of that age to a main dealer, as said above is probably not a great shout financially. They are also a bit hesitant to take on a car that's already been around the houses that lads have been pulling fault codes from and aren't really sure about. If it was something handy someone would have fixed it already and they don't want to have to drag you financially through a nightmare job.