morns
Part of things
Posts: 222
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Jan 25, 2012 18:12:00 GMT
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I'm not sure if i should feel glad or annoyed that my MOT cost me £150, so i look to you to offer your opinions!
Van failed on a light bulb and drivers side coil spring, so was pretty chuffed, a few quid and sorted I thought.
Got the bill and wanted £150.38.......what could i do but pay it? I'm in two minds if i should be miffed or not....
The MOT cost in the region on £55, so the spring and labour cost me £95, a bit miffed as thought it was pretty good little garage, and feel that I've been massively overcharged. How long would it take to replace said coil spring? I recon a pair would set me back £60, so leaves me thinking one spring was £30, which leaves me a £65 labour bill......
The only thing i can think of is that the test centre is 10miles from the garage and it had to go there twice, i have a job interview tomorrow so just wanted the van back, I am unemployed at the moment so maybe it just feels like a lot of money!
your input would be greatly received..... good or bad!
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Jan 25, 2012 18:14:28 GMT
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Seems perfectly reasonable, at least a couple of hours labour there by the time they've done the work, faffing around etc. Stuff costs money. Fact.
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,926
Club RR Member Number: 174
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£150 MOT..........stealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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Jan 25, 2012 18:18:01 GMT
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In theory with air tools and professional spring compressors it'd be quicker but it only takes a stuck bolt or other small problem and the time soon ticks away.
Matt
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,391
Club RR Member Number: 84
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£150 MOT..........mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
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Jan 25, 2012 18:29:58 GMT
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Don't forget "the dreaded" VAT - bill would have been £125 without it, minus 55 for the actual test and 30 for the spring leaves you 40 labour. Which is cheap-ish per hour, if it only took an hour to do a coil spring - takes me ages!!!
Put it this way, my local independent, friendly garage quote £55ph labour!
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morns
Part of things
Posts: 222
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Jan 25, 2012 18:31:31 GMT
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Thanks boys, has put my mind at ease!
Yeah i just didn't know how big a job it was........to be honest £150 to keep the van on the road another year is pretty good, seeing i spent nearly £350 on it last year!
That's all the response i was in need of! Brilliant RR members as ever! Thanks!
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Jan 25, 2012 18:31:54 GMT
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55 mot 30 spring
65 one hour labour
= 150
if VAT has been charged (25+ quid) then theres only 35-40 quid labour
I'd call that a result.
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Someone just shot the elephant in the room.
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Jan 25, 2012 18:32:58 GMT
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You felt chuffed but never asked for a price on the work?
20 mile round trip for a retest would have wasted another hour of their time.
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omega
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,060
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Jan 25, 2012 19:25:38 GMT
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i thought springs should always be replaced in pairs
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ruffgeezer
Posted a lot
Attracts french tat.
Posts: 1,252
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Jan 25, 2012 19:31:46 GMT
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The rate berlingos knock springs out, it probably won't be long before the other needs doing, I have to admit we've started doing them in pairs now as it's a false economy not to, because the other one usually breaks soon afterwards and it's replacement means having to do the tracking all over again.
Did they check/ replace the strut bearing?
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Jan 25, 2012 19:31:55 GMT
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Sounds pretty fair to me.Although the garage I go to for MOT's charge £39, but I guess depends a lot on where you live. £150 to keep it going for another year, gotta be happy with that.
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prey
Part of things
Posts: 856
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Jan 25, 2012 20:16:33 GMT
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£26 for an mot here - apart from being royally bummed for that the rest doesn't sound bad!
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Jan 25, 2012 20:21:33 GMT
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I wouldn't call being charged the standard price 'royally bummed'. The cost of MOTs at the place I go is £27.50, but I assume that it's a loss leader. Ie. Take car in, get cheap test, fail, pay their labour rate to get it fixed.
As above, I reckon the price sounds about right. An hour's labour at the place I mentioned above is £45 plus vat.
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...proper medallion man chest wig motoring.
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Jan 25, 2012 20:27:33 GMT
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At least your hands were clean when the job was done!
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Jan 25, 2012 20:43:54 GMT
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My local garage charges 48 quid/h labour. I'd guess they'd round up if it were less than an hour. Does seem reasonable to me.
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I've got Rovers.
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morns
Part of things
Posts: 222
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Jan 25, 2012 20:50:06 GMT
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nd it's replacement means having to do the tracking all over again. Did they check/ replace the strut bearing? No idea on that, guess its past of the MOT??!!! I thought they would have done the pair but nope I've had a look and just done one. I know things cost money etc etc but wasn't sure on the cost of labour, i only get paid £6.50 an hour but if £40-60 is industry standard then i have nothing to moan about and the price seems fair to me! Things cost money, esspecially motors eh? If only i learned how to do more stuff, time for a project car to get learning on! I just guess i was hoping for a smaller bill due to my cash flow problems, but then that should get resolved with said job interview tomorrow. Cheers for all your replies guys, i really do love the quick and informative responses you get everywhere on here! Rob
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k18ary
Part of things
Posts: 120
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Jan 25, 2012 21:03:53 GMT
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Just to make u feel better, i have a boxster and the stereo stopped working. Power ok but just no sound, took it to Porsche to have it fixed. All it needed was a fuse replaced in the amplifier (I know I should have done it myself but I didn't ave the time). Cost to me.........£180 for replacing the fuse, they said "we haven't charged you for parts, just labour" lol, the part was prob £1 at most! Lol
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ruffgeezer
Posted a lot
Attracts french tat.
Posts: 1,252
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Jan 25, 2012 22:06:34 GMT
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I have to be honest, I think the bearings are only about a tenner, so I tend to just replace them as a matter of course, I've had them get gritty or seize on cars with fresh springs so it just doesn't seem worth not replacing them.
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Jan 25, 2012 22:48:26 GMT
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I know things cost money etc etc but wasn't sure on the cost of labour, I only get paid £6.50 an hour but if £40-60 is industry standard then I have nothing to moan about and the price seems fair to me! The mechanic who did the work might only get paid £6.50 an hour as well. But his boss has got to pay rent, utilities, business rates, insurance etc. etc. ;-)
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@pistonbroker on Twitter
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Jan 25, 2012 23:03:45 GMT
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Was your invoice not itemised? Sounds a fair price anyway.
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,620
Club RR Member Number: 11
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£150 MOT..........skinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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thats cheap! Labours normally £60+ around here, £150 for an MOT including work is very reasonable!
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