Expensive service

[RPWC]

I put the van into the garage for a service while we were on holiday, asked them to change oil and filters and check back brakes,adjust and replace shoes if needed.
Ended up with two new wheel cylinders, both h/brake cables and a new caliber, as it was partly seized. It has been troublesome for a while,I remember at least twice having to free it off, I was quoted £55+vat for a replacement, but there's a £45+vat surcharge,so the final bill with vat is £516. Less than 4 hours labour, 205,225 parts,then vat. I will get he 45 surcharge refunded though. Was expecting a bill of around £300, though.

[Peter.N.]

Mmm, that's more than I paid for my last car and the reason I do all my own repairs, I wouldn't be able to afford to run one car let alone two if I had to send them to a garage.

That does sound a tad expensive, having been once bitten I would get them to phone you an estimate before you let them do any more work, or find someone else. Most mainstream garages are expensive now and I dare say it would be dearer than that in London. A one man band would probably be the cheapest if you can find a good one locally.

Peter

[RPWC]

Its an independent garage across the road, I use them for bits and bobs,and the owner is a customer of mine. He has helped me out a few times before when I have been stuck, so as we were away,I thought I would give him the trade. I do a lot of my own repairs, but don't have the facilities for bleeding brakes,I would have done the work myself ,if i had time. The other garage I use is where I get my MOT's done and I think the bill would have been nearer my expectations if I used them, but its about 6 miles away and would be awkward to get time to take it over,then get a lift back, and then lose work time tomorrow to get it back.
Still I will continue to use the garage in question, but will be careful what work I get done. Its the caliper that has cost the money, only half an hour labour charged for it.

[Peter.N.]

Sounds reasonable. Another advantage of doing it your self is that you can use second hand bits, I recently replaced a front caliper on my 406, got it from off my old one at the top of the field

Peter

[RPWC]

If you're lucky enough to have somewhere to keep,a spares vehicle, then great, but I don't unfortunately, not on my own land anyway.. The surcharge was knocked off, labour was less than 4 hours, parts total came to £190, then vat on top.

[van ordinaire]

DOES seem a lot of money for pretty routine tasks not requiring expensive parts or a great deal of time &/or expertise.

But then I thought the £100 or so it cost me to MoT my van 'cos I paid a garage to fit a s/h hub carrier (that I had to source) because I buggered the clamp on the old one fitting a new t-c-a was a bit steep - but then they did supply/fit a new bearing & inner gaiter (it was an advisory on the 1st time round) & didn't charge for the re-test - even, by then, it was about 2 months after the fail.