Ford Service: Have we been ripped off?

Towser

I booked and had our car serviced at the Ford Car dealer.
When I told my husband how much it came to he said we have been ripped off by £1000. Can this be true?
The bill was for £1509
Work done:
Bulb changed which we didn't approve £30
All Fluid levels including engine oil and gear box oil replaced £242
Rear Brake pads and discs changed. £255
Rear lateral bushes changed £305
parts like filters £295
A/c regassed £66
Brake Fluid £63
VAT £251

This did not even include the wipers and tyres and number plate we know we can do cheaper somewhere else.

What do you think? I want to know so that we can change our plan of action for next time. I realise that you never go to the dealer other than that how can we make it cheaper for next time?

BeenThroughItAll

Towser wrote: »

I booked and had our car serviced at the Ford Car dealer.
When I told my husband how much it came to he said we have been ripped off by £1000. Can this be true?
The bill was for £1509
Work done:
Bulb changed which we didn't approve £30
All Fluid levels including engine oil and gear box oil replaced £242
Rear Brake pads and discs changed. £255
Rear lateral bushes changed £305
parts like filters £295
A/c regassed £66
Brake Fluid £63
VAT £251

This did not even include the wipers and tyres and number plate we know we can do cheaper somewhere else.

What do you think? I want to know so that we can change our plan of action for next time. I realise that you never go to the dealer other than that how can we make it cheaper for next time?

The prices are certainly high, but that's what you pay at main dealers for their 'skilled technicians' and 'product expertise'. Did you actually ASK for all of that work to be done? Was it in the service schedule to have gearbox oil replaced, A/C regassed and brake fluid changed, or did they just go ahead and do it anyway? If it wasn't in the schedule, you didn't ask for it, and they didn't seek permission to do it, I'd be complaining mightily, but cost wise you've just been exposed to a hard lesson in main dealer pricing, I'm afraid.

motorguy

Towser wrote: »

I booked and had our car serviced at the Ford Car dealer.
When I told my husband how much it came to he said we have been ripped off by £1000. Can this be true?
The bill was for £1509
Work done:
Bulb changed which we didn't approve £30
All Fluid levels including engine oil and gear box oil replaced £242
Rear Brake pads and discs changed. £255
Rear lateral bushes changed £305
parts like filters £295
A/c regassed £66
Brake Fluid £63
VAT £251

This did not even include the wipers and tyres and number plate we know we can do cheaper somewhere else.

What do you think? I want to know so that we can change our plan of action for next time. I realise that you never go to the dealer other than that how can we make it cheaper for next time?

If you gave approval for the work to be done you dont have a leg to stand on really.

If your car is still under warranty, then get the work done that is required to ensure your service history remains fully stamped, and find a cheap indie to do the maintenance work.

We did that with my sons car - serviced by BMW, but all the maintenance done by a local mechanic at a fraction of the price.

Towser

Yes asked for all of it apart from the lightbulb.
The only consolation is we know the work has been done and done properly as we have had our suspicions with other mechanics.
Will go to the local mechanic for the next service then.

Fat_Walt

Towser wrote: »

I booked and had our car serviced at the Ford Car dealer.
When I told my husband how much it came to he said we have been ripped off by £1000. Can this be true?
The bill was for £1509
Work done:
Bulb changed which we didn't approve £30
All Fluid levels including engine oil and gear box oil replaced £242
Rear Brake pads and discs changed. £255
Rear lateral bushes changed £305
parts like filters £295
A/c regassed £66
Brake Fluid £63
VAT £251

This did not even include the wipers and tyres and number plate we know we can do cheaper somewhere else.

What do you think? I want to know so that we can change our plan of action for next time. I realise that you never go to the dealer other than that how can we make it cheaper for next time?

Looks like you've paid for two services there.

motorguy

Towser wrote: »

Will go to the local mechanic for the next service then.

Dont confuse service with maintenance.

You can have your car "fully serviced" by Ford - in which there are merits particularly if the car is young - however you could get maintenance work done by a local indie.

Even with our 2yo 370Z GT, we got Nissan to do the service, but pads, discs and tyres were done by non main dealer places.

Mercdriver

Indeed. All my E class servicing is done through the main dealer, keeping the free Mobilo recovery going 3+ years after purchase, but I wouldn't have them doing the tyres and brakes etc. They recommended new tyres on a recent service, and wanted £174 per tyre for Continentals. A place down the road does them for £110. I tend to use Hankooks which I get around 18 - 20k miles out of for £96 a tyre.

arcon5

What car is it

consumers_revenge

arcon5 wrote: »

What car is it

At that price....

Towser

This last post made me lol glad to see I have not lost my sense of humour.
Next time it won't be the Ford place.

esmerobbo

Seems to be a bit over what they are advertising, even for the top prices which include VAT.

http://www.ford.co.uk/OwnerServices/Motorcraft/Repairs/Brakes