Average price of a mechanic?

EKRIUQ · 21-02-2009 05:16PM #1

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 · 21-02-2009 05:37PM

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 · 21-02-2009 05:51PM

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

What's the average price then?

unkel · 21-02-2009 07:36PM

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

cianclarke · 21-02-2009 08:33PM

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 · 21-02-2009 08:46PM

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 · 21-02-2009 09:42PM

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 · 21-02-2009 09:57PM

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 · 03-03-2009 11:56PM

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 · 04-03-2009 12:27AM

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 · 04-03-2009 12:52AM

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

Voodoomelon · 04-03-2009 01:47AM

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 · 04-03-2009 11:27AM

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 · 04-03-2009 11:35AM

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 · 04-03-2009 03:28PM

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 · 04-03-2009 03:34PM

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 · 04-03-2009 03:52PM

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 · 04-03-2009 04:16PM

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 · 04-03-2009 04:27PM

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 · 04-03-2009 11:40PM

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 · 04-03-2009 11:43PM

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 · 05-03-2009 12:23AM

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 · 05-03-2009 12:24AM

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 · 05-03-2009 02:55AM

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 · 05-03-2009 02:03PM

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 · 05-03-2009 09:30PM

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 · 05-03-2009 09:32PM

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 · 06-03-2009 12:30AM

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 · 06-03-2009 02:21AM

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 · 06-03-2009 02:37AM

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 · 06-03-2009 03:04AM

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.

Average price of a mechanic?

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