Verbal quote for automatic gearbox repair

mbrijun

Hello moneysavers,

my trusty X reg. Ford Focus developed an audible noise that wasn't there before. A local garage, having used a stetoscope, declared that it is coming from the automatic gearbox. A trip to a local transmission specialist confirmed the diagnosis. He was more specific, saying that it seemed like the rolling bearing (whatever that is...). He also declared that it is not worth repairing the car as it would cost us £1400 + VAT.

Now, facing such a substanial repair bill, we took it to a competing gearbox specialist. Again, he did confirm that the noise is coming from the gearbox, and that does sound like a bearing. However, he recons he can fix the car for £600 + VAT. Asked if he was not going to replace the gearbox with a refurb one, he said that there is no need for that.

Who do I trust? I have not used either of the gearbox specialists involved. Both quotes were verbal. I believe that if the car can be fixed for £600 + VAT, that would make a good exonomic sense as it only has 57000mi on the clock and drives rather well.

My biggest concern is that the £600 repair will turn into £1500 as they start stripping the gearbox down. Is there any way to avoid this?

McKneff

Get it in writing.............as a quote, not an estimate, there is a huge difference.

A quote is a definite price

an estimate is a round a bout figure and not fixed.

Scooby_Doo.

mbrijun wrote: »

Hello moneysavers,

my trusty X reg. Ford Focus developed an audible noise that wasn't there before. A local garage, having used a stetoscope, declared that it is coming from the automatic gearbox. A trip to a local transmission specialist confirmed the diagnosis. He was more specific, saying that it seemed like the rolling bearing (whatever that is...). He also declared that it is not worth repairing the car as it would cost us £1400 + VAT.

Now, facing such a substanial repair bill, we took it to a competing gearbox specialist. Again, he did confirm that the noise is coming from the gearbox, and that does sound like a bearing. However, he recons he can fix the car for £600 + VAT. Asked if he was not going to replace the gearbox with a refurb one, he said that there is no need for that.

Who do I trust? I have not used either of the gearbox specialists involved. Both quotes were verbal. I believe that if the car can be fixed for £600 + VAT, that would make a good exonomic sense as it only has 57000mi on the clock and drives rather well.

My biggest concern is that the £600 repair will turn into £1500 as they start stripping the gearbox down. Is there any way to avoid this?

Get a written quote?

victor2

I would trust the opinion of the gearbox specialist more than the local garage, who may well be taking the easy route with the new gearbox option. I don't suppose the gearbox specialist will give a guaranteed price for the repair, or a reasonable maximum price, but it's worth asking. I'd seriously look at the value of selling the car even if the gearbox can be fixed though.

sujman

My 04 plate ford focus auto also developed gearbox problems early this year, at 52k miles as well!!

Gearbox specialists would replace the box with a refurb for circa £1500 (inc VAT) with a years guarantee etc. Shopping around, could have saved a couple hundred or so if I wanted to.

In the end, I opted to buy a 2nd gearbox and have it installed (mechanic was a mate), for £700, all in. Box and bits was about £350 and he charged £350 for the install.

High risk strategy but after 3k miles, car still ok and intend to keep it going until the next major repair, after which the car wont be worth the cost and will likely scrap it.

mbrijun

Thanks for all the replies! How do I ask for a written quote without upsetting the same mechanics I will be relying on to fix it?

victor2: there are 3 garages involved - a "general" garage that used a stetoscope to narrow down the source of the noise, and two gearbox specialists, one with £1400 + VAT repair (presumably replacing with a refurb), and the other one with £600 + VAT for simply finding and replacing the offending bearing.

Are the gearboxes not repairable? Why was the first specialist so quick to quote for a refurb and the second one sounded confident the only thing needing replacement is the bearing itself?

Thank you!

jaydeeuk1

sujman wrote: »

In the end, I opted to buy a 2nd gearbox and have it installed (mechanic was a mate), for £700, all in. Box and bits was about £350 and he charged £350 for the install.

If my 'mate' charged me £350, I'd refer to him as 'was a mate' rather than 'is a mate' too

sujman

The 2nd garage offering you £600 for bearing repalcement will probably add at the last minute that if they find that the box has more issues that first thought, then you are stuck with having a refurb replacement anyway. The 1st garage are doing away with this hassle and going for the full fix.

Same senario when I had my issues

victor2

mbrijun wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! How do I ask for a written quote without upsetting the same mechanics I will be relying on to fix it?

When you've decided which one you could trust and afford to do the job, explain you'd like to use them but need a written quote first. If that embarrasses you, just say something like you're having to borrow the money from a relative and they won't give it to you unless they see a written quote/guarantee.
If they won't give a written quote then I wouldn't trust them to do the job for the price quoted anyway.

sujman

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

If my 'mate' charged me £350, I'd refer to him as 'was a mate' rather than 'is a mate' too

I thought it was a perfectly reasonable charge, everyone has to earn a living.

asbokid

mbrijun wrote: »

Who do I trust? I have not used either of the gearbox specialists involved. Both quotes were verbal. I believe that if the car can be fixed for £600 + VAT, that would make a good exonomic sense as it only has 57000mi on the clock and drives rather well. My biggest concern is that the £600 repair will turn into £1500 as they start stripping the gearbox down. Is there any way to avoid this?

How to avoid this cost?

Yes, don't have the work done.

Since it's only a whining noise, and there is no sign yet of gearbox failure, make sure you have a roadside recovery policy and keep driving it.

If I was going to change a gearbox on that age and quality of car, I wouldn't want to pay much more than £100 for a salvaged box, and the same for the labour cost of fitting it.