Quote for suspension

Cameron1590_2

Hi All,

Car was suffering from a knocking noise so took to the car to local mechanic who I have yet to use however he seems on the ball.

He put the car on the ramp and showed me the near side lower wishbone had failed, could move it up and down by hand and also identified that the front shock absorber was leaking.

He recommended replacing both the shocks and the one wishbone said it would cost £255 including parts.

Is this a good price?

Thanks

Cameron

tykesi

Might be an idea to post the make and model of the car.

Cameron1590_2

Sorry it's a 2006 fiat panda

Thanks

EdGasket

Sounds like a fair price assuming it includes VAT, parts, some guarantee, and his free diagnosis. Could probably get it cheaper though.

I've noticed on some garage receipts max retail price for parts which the garage probably got for trade price. The they pull tricks like charging for 4 one-litre bottles of whatever it is oil, coolant etc. when they obviously would buy in bulk.

tight_scotsman

I would say that's reasonable shockers are around £150 retail and about £50 for the wishbone. add on labour and its a pretty good price in my opinion

AdrianC

Looking on a fairly typical parts website, £60-100 for a pair of front dampers, depending on brand. £25-50 for a lower arm, depending on brand.

So call that £150 for parts. That leaves £105 less the VAT - £87.50 - for him to dismantle the front suspension on both sides of the car, refit it all, adjust the tracking, road test it... Roughly a couple of hours, at £40-45/hr.

I call that pretty damn good value.

tight_scotsman

Looks like you local garage wants your custom. I would go with this reasonable quote for the work. The garage will be hoping if they do a good job at a reasonable price then they will get repeat business from you and you might recommend them to family and friends

bigjl

EdGasket wrote: »

Sounds like a fair price assuming it includes VAT, parts, some guarantee, and his free diagnosis. Could probably get it cheaper though.

I've noticed on some garage receipts max retail price for parts which the garage probably got for trade price. The they pull tricks like charging for 4 one-litre bottles of whatever it is oil, coolant etc. when they obviously would buy in bulk.

Why should a Business designed to make a profit and pay the staff a living wage buy parts at Trade price and not sell for Retail price?

Do you think your local shop doesn't have any markup on their Mars bars etc?

The mark up is probably 100% if not more by the way on stuff like confectionary.

Cans of Pepsi are around 20p in Costco, when have you seen them for any less than 45p or 50p??

arcon5

I think the posters on about the fact some garages will charge say 4x 1tr of oil @ £7/bottle retail rather than say 1x 4lt bottle at £22 retail.

Cameron1590_2

Thanks for the information, I haven't used a garage since moving to the town last year so wasn't sure if it was in the ball park range.

Have rang garage and booked it in total bill will be £253 they said that the tracking machine is broken and they are waiting on a new laser level? Anyway they said that they won't charge for the tracking and to take it to national tyres up the road who do it for £15.

Do I need to have the tracking redone? A friend said the steering wheel will be out but not the tyres? Maybe I will get it done for peace of mind.

Thanks

loskie

yes tracking needed with the work as stated on the suspension.