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garage costs for checkup?

travelmonster
Posts: 124 Forumite
in Motoring
hey guys
I've never had to go to the car garage before . so I don't know what u should be asking or saying. I'm pretty sure if they see me as a novice they'll try to rip me.off.
basically I have 2 things wrong with my audi a3 petrol. the engine makes a slight crackling noise and the coolant light keeps flashing so there's Deffo a fault. even after I fill it.
at this stage all I want is to get these things checked. how much should it cost for a quick check up ?
I've never had to go to the car garage before . so I don't know what u should be asking or saying. I'm pretty sure if they see me as a novice they'll try to rip me.off.
basically I have 2 things wrong with my audi a3 petrol. the engine makes a slight crackling noise and the coolant light keeps flashing so there's Deffo a fault. even after I fill it.
at this stage all I want is to get these things checked. how much should it cost for a quick check up ?
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Comments
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Speak with your friends - find out who they recommend for car mechanic type work. Less likely to get ripped off that way. Avoid Kwik Fit, Halfords etc.
Is your A3 still under Audi warranty?0 -
no its old. .. 57 plate. .0
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Definitely ask around - mates, family, neighbours. More likely to avoid being ripped off if someone you trust, uses a garage they trust. If you can't find a recommended garage, then try somewhere local - hopefully if they know you are local they'll try and do a decent job so you'll become a repeat customer. Maybe drop that into the conversation when you call in. You can't always tell on looks, but if a garage looks busy, then chances are they have a lot of customers. Deffo avoid the Kwik Fit, Halfords type places for this sort of issue.0
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Have you had your car serviced at all?
Spending a bit on routine maintenance will save more in the long term.0 -
Have you had your car serviced at all?travelmonster wrote: »I've never had to go to the car garage before
I think the OP may have already answered your question.0 -
Where are you? There are plenty of good independent VAG specialists around.
Engine 'crackle'? I'm hazarding a guess at a hole in the exhaust?
If the coolant level drops after you fill it, then (obvs) you have a leak. If it doesn't drop but the light still comes on, then possibly the sensor is faulty.
When was it last MOT'd?No free lunch, and no free laptop0 -
MOT was done Feb before I bought the car.
the level does drop. ...
for a quick check up from a local garage ? what's a reasonable cost ?0 -
travelmonster wrote: »for a quick check up from a local garage ? what's a reasonable cost ?
Depending on where you are in the country, an hour's labour is likely to be £50-70 + vat. One hour should be sufficient for a "quick check up". What a "quick check up" will achieve is another question entirely, beyond giving you a list of issues that need doing or investigating further. On top of whatever time's necessary to fix those issues, there's whatever parts are going to be needed.
The eventual bill could be anywhere between one hour's labour and no parts, or "throw the car away, the bill would be more than it's worth".0 -
travelmonster wrote: »for a quick check up from a local garage ? what's a reasonable cost ?
When I have a problem with mine I just say "it's doing this, please fix it" and then pay whatever they charge me.
Is this your first car as you've never taken one to a "car garage" before?Proud member of the wokerati, though I don't eat tofu.Home is where my books are.Solar PV 5.2kWp system, SE facing, >1% shading, installed March 2019.Mortgage free July 20230 -
yes..... cus whenever I ring the garage I'm saying how much would you charge to check xyz0
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