It's Not Rocket Science

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday January 4, 2008

Bill McKinnon

How much should it cost to service my car?

IT IS up to the individual workshop, be it independent or a franchised dealer's service department, to set its own labour rate, so servicing costs can and do vary.

Shop around and you can save serious money. We rang four workshops: one country independent and three Sydney Holden dealers, for a quote on a scheduled 105,000-kilometre service for a 2000 model Holden Astra automatic hatch.

Our independent bloke would do it for $154. The three dealers quoted $225, $280 and $331.

This is for a relatively simple service - put it on the hoist, do an oil and filter change, and have a look around.

Toyota has fixed-price servicing on several models for the first three years or 60,000 kilometres. On the Corolla, for example, you pay $120 for each service, at any Toyota dealer. The Kluger costs $150.

Most makes of cars are serviced according to an alternating minor-major system, with the minor service taking less time and costing less.

Workshops are usually honest but some will say anything and charge as much as they think they can get away with, especially if they think the customer - too often a woman - has no idea.

Some will put expensive, high-profit fuel and engine oil additives in your car. These products are claimed to improve fuel economy and/or prolong engine life but the claims are highly dubious.

No car makers recommend the use of additives and in some cases suggest that their use may void your warranty.

When you put your car in for a service, insist that no additives are used.

Insist also that if a mechanic finds something out of the ordinary, which requires attention and expense over and above the normal service procedure, you must be contacted beforehand to authorise the extra work, given an explanation of the problem and the cost to fix it.

Ask that the bill be itemised. Hours, rates, parts required and prices; everything should be listed. "Miscellaneous items" have a habit of costing big dollars on service bills - what exactly are they? Check the bill hours against the manufacturer's recommended hours in your handbook.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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