Labour costs for replacing the engine - is it right?

Badger_Lady

Hia,

I certainly don't want to sound complaining - the garage have been friendly and helpful and have certainly worked quickly - the final bill just came as a bit of a shock is all!

I only bought my Daihatsu Hijet campervan 6 weeks ago, private sale, for what seemed like a very good price for an 11-yr-old vehicle with 45k on the clock.

Sadly, just over a week ago I got stuck on the wrong end of the M4 when my cam shaft suddenly snapped in two. The RAC took me to the nearest motorway services (all I had cover for) and eventually I got a local garage to come and collect me - by coincidence we weren't far from one my Dad used to use years ago.

When I originally spoke to the chap, it was on the premise that the cambelt had snapped. He warned me that, "If it's repairable, we might be looking at £800, or if it's a new engine up to £2k." I considered it worth doing either way and waited for him to have a proper look.

He phoned me a couple of days later to say that it's highly likely to need a new engine and that he's been struggling to find a suitable recon. So I suggested buying a donor van - I happened to find one with a good running engine but awful bodywork and interior for just £250... so last weekend I caught a train up to the West Midlands, bought the van, drove it 180 miles to the garage and then caught a train home. I was very pleased with myself for saving that kind of money.

Anyway, he just called to say it's ready, friendly and smiling as always, and read out the final bill at just over £1,400 :eek:

I don't think I can avoid paying this (although the timing is terribly poor), but I just want to know whether it is as steep as it seems. After all, this is basically just labour - I went to great lengths to provide the parts myself because they were struggling to do so. And if a new engine according to his original quote would have been £2k, why am I paying £1,700 for a second-hand one?

It's entirely possible that I'm out-of-touch, please don't hold back if you think I'm being silly!

BOBS

The fact you originally bought it for a very good price might be your answer - would someone of known that this was about to happen ?? In my opinion garages seem to charge what they want as they know we wont query it just pay up.
Hopefully now the problem is solved you will have many happy camping trips -try and look on the positive,.

bryanb

Sounds as though he took 2 engines out and fitted one, plus investigate the problem. seems reasonable.
Did he also dispose of old engine and van?
What about cost of collecting from motorway services?

Badger_Lady

I don't think it was a detectable problem, just one of those random things... the bargain price was because it was listed on eBay for completion during the world cup semi-final, so I was the only bidder! (And yes, I had already been to see it / do the relevant checks beforehand )

The rusty van is still at the garage for me to sort out - they're happy to arrange 'free disposal' but now more than ever I'm hoping to take some more parts from it... the sliding doors, battery, four brand new tyres... they could all help to recoup some of the cost.

Badger_Lady

Collection from the services - yes, that's a good point I had forgotten that. That was £75 (included in the final bill).

HannahIOW

Definately recoup some of the cost from parts off the old van if possible. That does seem steep though do you have the invoice with their labour rate etc on yet?

Flying-High_2

Sounds expensive to me..... Even worst case at 2.5 days labour should'nt be £1400. Get a break down of whats what in the bill.

Hell I'd of travelled to SE wales for nowhere near that and be done and dusted in a day...

Badger_Lady

Flying-High wrote: »

Hell I'd of travelled to SE wales for nowhere near that and be done and dusted in a day...

Now you tell me! :rotfl:

Well I'm glad it wasn't just me then. I feel obliged to pay this bill because they have been so lovely, I just want to feel armed for the future.

In terms of time spent, the investigation was certainly done within a day and the engine swaps / checks etc were done between Monday and this morning. Of course I have no idea how many people would have been working during that time!

hartcjhart

doesnt sound too bad to me,of course we all know somewhere cheaper but then you would have to transport two campervans god knows how many miles,

they probably charge £30/£35 per hour per man, so you are looking near a £1000 for labour,then plus tow in, then perhaps oil/filters/etc then of course the dreaded vat

Gordon_Hose

Seems reasonable to me. It's certainly better than the £2k he originally quoted.

Ask for a breakdown of the costs, do you know what his hourly labour rate is?

Badger_Lady

I haven't got a clue - I'm 120 miles from the garage!

It is better than the £2k he originally quoted, yes. By £300. Without having to buy an engine.