Hi Ozbargainers or "Professionals",
I was wondering where everyone gets their car serviced and how much does it cost them?
Has anyone used a car service deal on the back of a shopping docket, was it worth it if you have?
What places should I steer clear from?
I get my car serviced by K-mart Auto, I've never had any problem with these guys. I've got my 160,000km service coming up soon and its gonna cost me $550, checked out fixedpriceservice.com.au and the cheapest quote for me was $652.
I recently started an auto repair course, and since then learned that my mechanic (Kmart Auto) were DODGY! I have been to them for 5 years, and a timing belt snapped off during a drive which cost over $2000 to fix. The issue is not the price or anything, it is that as I have been going for 5 years, it should have been their responsibility to have seen the issue coming since i regularly go in for a general service. They should have known that my belt was wearing and suggested a replacement (which was a lot cheaper than $2000).
Even my course trainer said the same thing and recommends I change.
In my mind this makes sense too. A person hired by an organisation (Kmart), probably paid a flat wage rate has no incentive to be honest/truthful and pride himself on his work. Whereas an independent mechanic, would have saved capital, worked to set up a good, profitable business, which would be done through providing good service to customers. Obviously, I am not denying some independent mechanics/workshops are looting customers through unfair practice, but a good independent mechanic will be better than a Kmart repair any day.
people say bad things about kmart auto and tyre but they're employees so they're not out to screw you
still, if you have a performance car i wouldnt take it there… too many young kids in the shops wanna play silly buggers with your ride
i take my car to either of 3 mechanics i know quite well - they also do my pink slip which many people will have issues with since its not a standard car
they will also use the oil i give them if i want to sometimes (ie. sometimes i buy $50 castrol edge or something idiotic)
for a simple oil and filter and inspect I would expect to pay $100 out the door with my usual guy but i know him quite well (ie. he's done business with my dad and stuff)
people say bad things about kmart auto and tyre but they're employees so they're not out to screw you
Are you sure about that? I was told a few years ago that they ceased to employ directly & contracted out the auto service dept in most stores now…
I used to use them for the very reason you describe, but the last time a family member went to Kmart Auto he got stung big-time! :(
its like anything thats franchised out
would i take my car to midas or ultratune or pedders or whatever? no
but is everyone of them bad? no
but if i had something like a 2005 Focus or simple and a needed a basic service or tyres i wouldnt have an issue taking it to the local kmart
would i take it there for a complex service problem? no
even with me, i do a simple 2ndary check
eg. i've taken a car home from service and the car overheated
i check the radiator cap and it wasnt on tight
i put some water in and went about my business
when i was at the mechanic next i brang it to his attention
people make mistakes… expect more mistakes if its the apprentices who do the work
Look dude, I've got no idea where you're headed with this…
its like anything thats franchised out
So are they franchised by contractors or run directly by Kmart employees???
would i take my car to midas or ultratune or pedders or whatever? no
You don't think those places have 'employees' too???
who cares?
i wouldnt take any of my cars to any of these places however we've discussed a whole bunch of stores and they arent all bad and arent all good - you have to take each place on its own merits… talk to the people, see whos doing the work on your car
you may say, oh thats a lot of work
hey its your car, you only rely on it to get to work and stuff…
Ok, so what precisely did you mean by this:
people say bad things about kmart auto and tyre but they're employees so they're not out to screw you
???
My point is that when Kmart Auto Service was run by direct employees, they were a lot more honest. That also seemed to be what you were implying.
As noted, this is the experience of a family member who had to fight them to avoid massive overservicing fees. The harsh reality of the franchise/contractual model is that there are now the same money making incentives for the contractor/franchisee at Kmart as exists at Midas, Goodyear, Jax, et al.
I don't care either way nowadays, my salary package means that all of my servicing is included in the lease, the lion's share of which is pre-tax…and the dealer offers capped price servicing with bonus extended warranty.
Hahaha, I see the neg fairy has paid us a visit! :)
tony which jzx do you have =)
i also stay away from dealers unless you have an exotic high maintenance car
eg. if i know a VW Golf twincharger DSG of course, bring it to a dealer as they have to machines and whatever to work on it but if you own such a car, you know what you're in for
where are you ? I may be able to recommend someone if I knew where you was, secondly take I anywhere if you are not happy go somewhere else
I'm looking for somewhere new too.. having previously been quite happy with the local Kmart Tyre and Auto in the eastern burbs of Melbourne, who were really helpful, nice and reasonably priced, the mechanics seemed to be young guys, but the management seemed good and the standard of service was great, but my last experience left me reeling..
I prebooked my service and arranged to have something else done at the same time.. It seemed to be under new management.
They neglected to order in the part they knew they needed so I had to take the car back the next week, and I also had to sit around waiting for them to fit the part after the time they said it would be ready.
Then they had 'forgotten' to do up the sump plug - so I had oil all over my driveway and had to take it back again… then they didn't shut my bonnet properly.. I didn't notice to be honest, and it was only after a few trips up and down the Eastern freeway that my husband picked that up.. so glad it didn't open as I was driving at 100kmph.
Little things, but lots of little things - it should have taken one single visit, maybe two at most.. and an apology would have been nice.
I have been using this mechanic for the past 5 years
http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/glenvale-crescent-autom…
They are located in Mulgrave (SE Melb)
They provide good quality service at a reasonable price.
I highly recommend them.
Is tony a greek/italian man? slightly short. Also has an on-the-road van for mechanical issues?
Get your Google on, and DIY.
Thanks for the effort in your productive post.
Shop a Docket
Family friend done my last service in Syd..
Hes a registered mechanic and has a mobile workshop.
100000km service for $200 in my garage.
what is his contact details?
thanks
I overservice my car because i know how to do it & save money, the secret is as easy as shopper dockets or getting kamrt to pricematch for a better offer but i save the most buying the JAX QUICKFIT service card & using it to service my car. It costs parts only (they have to suplly them) but i get the workmanship for FREE so i save heaps. They cost $100 each but i usaly buy 2 for $150 (so $75 each) and they last maybe 2 years before ive used it all up. Savings would have to be about $1000 over that time!
These service cards are sometimes sold door to door but you can ask at any JAX if they sell them, highly recomended!!!
I go to linearossa in alphington, northern suburbs of Melbourne. He's cheaper than the fixed car website, been going there quite a few years now and haven't had any problems with him yet, touch wood.
been going there quite a few years now
you mean since they started in 2010?
I used to go to the place behind there about 10 years ago. A guy named Kim ran it and he was great and honest. I then moved so I have not been there since - I wonder if he is still around… he was kinda cute haha.
If you are looking for a good mechanic south of Adelaide pm me and I'll give you his number.
I work for a car repair workshop in Chatswood, Sydney, called Chatswood Auto Repairs. The owner really goes out of his way to keep customers coming back, so I'd have to recommend dealing with Enzo directly. Usual service is 260-350 or something, depending on the car. NRMA gets 10% discount heh. You'll need to book a week ahead or so though, we're usually flat out.
Unless you've got a new car with warranty why not service it yourself? It doesn't take a university degree to change the oil and filter, plugs, leads and filters. You can also check things like brake fluid, power steering fluid, brake cylinders for leaks and general leaks around the engine and transmission. It can be messy but you'll save a lot of money.
If you really must take your car to a mechanic avoid the dealerships. They have huge overheads to cover and will charge you, the unsuspecting customer a premium for a basic oil change. Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a great mechanical repairer.
From my own personal experience and I don't know why this is but Italians seem to make the best mechanics especially those who are involved in a family run business.
Because I don't trust myself not to change one little thing which completely destroys some important and leaves me helpless at 120km/ph down the Toowoomba range.
May just be me though.
I just had a car service and was told that my air-intake filter (I think?) needed to be cleaned out, and that this should be done every 12 months. Is this valid or is it a rip-off?
seems reasonable to me
remember your car sucks all its air thru a foam filter… surely common sense will tell you that filter is not going to last forever
even 12 months is a joke, i'd say every minor service is a good thing
depending on the filter type you can take it out and shake and clean it yourself but most places will just replace it
I tend to alternative between beating it out and replacing. Given that the last one I bought was $10 though I don't loose sleep (varies wildly depending on car).
Ok cool thanks, next time I'll see if I can clean/replace it myself
It's also worth bearing in mind that replacement of air filters is also somewhat distance/environmentally mediated.
If you're only doing 5,000km a year in clean-ish environments then 12mths would be outlandish, but bump that up to 20,000km on dusty roads & annual cleaning/replacement may not even be enough!
Mobile mechanic.
Comes to my driveway, $80 an hour, no bullshit.
Usually get parts off eBay.
contact details?
stay away from K-mart everytime I go they give me a list of things to get repair or look at. Last list cost more than $2000 took the list to other mechanic he said what a rip off.
If you are in Syd try NRMA Car Care. Reasonable priced and backed by a good name.
Just had minor car service in my garage for $90.It was done in about half an hour, is it a rip off?
Just get a friend, ask around, there'd have to be someone that knows a mechanic (friends good mate, relatives?)
Usually you'll get a good deal.
Oh, and always look around. Check part prices on eBay, I had a someone quote me $900 for a Radiator and Water pump for a Nissan Nxr '92. Found the radiator for $90 and the water pump for $55. If the price seems to expensive, then it probably is.
With that advice, it is true you may be ripped off, so definitely worth checking it online.
BUT you have to be vary of the make/condition of products too. A cheaper radiator and water pump will have badly connected joints, thin walls and often made to fail! They need more replacements and don't last as long as they should. Just keep that in mind. As an ozbargainer, i would go with the cheap alternative too, but sometimes the amount of fixes it will need is not worth it.
A good resource to find some of the coupon savings in your area is through here.
A family member used a mobile mechanic and paid $99 which he was happy with.
For a cheap option, just look at this one too. I thought to post this but didn't since many usually neg it.
http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/melbourne/CarServicenetau/71…
http://www.carservice.net.au/
this is a real deal I think.
I bought previously https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/wollongong/Wollongong-Auto-…
What do you think about that guys?
Group buy/deal = Bad Idea.
I take my car to Toys in Redcliffe (North Brisbane). usually about $100. great service, honest, open. they explain what they will do and how much. had a rusted exhaust bend thing(I'm not good with mechanical terminology) which caused the car to feel underpowered. they replaced it during a regular service and charged only for the part ($6-ish). Another time I had an interview in the morning, got in my car and had a flat battery (car was 5 years old, original battery). I rang them and they brought over a new battery and then suggested that I bring the car up in the afternoon so they could check the electricals. took it up later that day and they checked alternator(?),starter motor, etc and still only charged for the battery. they will drop the car off when they have finished servicing if need be.
decent family business.
Toy's Muffler & Mechanical Shop, Redcliffe (North Brisbane)
Does anyone know the rough cost to change a timming belt + waterpump by a mechanic?
I've had good service from Absolute Care Auto in East Brisbane.
They've also go good reviews on True Local and do fixed price services.
can anyone suggest car mechanice for melbourns south-east suburbs?
You didn't say where you live. It's hard to find an excellent mechanic. We live in West Gippsland, travel long distances and are totally reliant on our mechanic to keep our cars safe and in top condition. We were lucky to have had a very good mechanic for many years, until he went interstate. Only found an even better replacement about 14 months ago when a new business set up in Warragul and we thought we may as well give it a trial. We could not be happier with them. They know their 'stuff', great workmanship, no overservicing or overpricing and they are cheaper than what we were paying elsewhere. In fact,they are so good they recently had to expanded their business into new premises. My family and friends now use them and some travel over 140k round trip to have their cars serviced by Warragul Automotive @ 118 North Road, Warragul. I have no hesitation in recommending them.
Sorry if you did not get where i stay but as mentioned I stay in eastern suburbs of Melbourne and looking for car mechanic in melbourne's south-east suburbs. Hope this time im more clear.
I would recommend a garage in Chadstone corner of warrigal rd and waverley rd. i have been servicing my car there for about 2 years now. I had my clutch replaced there at reasonable price. The guy is honest and good at what he does. My wheel bearing was also replaced 6 months ago when it made a loud noise.
Hey I get my Volkswagen done with Volksaffair. They're pretty middle of the ranged price wise but they throw in a lot of extras that I think are worthwhile. Been going to them for 2 or 3 years now without any issues so I'd recommend them if your in Melbourne. They mostly do German cars though so it might be worth giving them a call first to see if they're right for you. https://www.volksaffair.com.au
Any similar advice on where people get their cars serviced in Canberra please.
Used this site for my last service (was previously getting completely fleeced by going direct to dealer)
http://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/
Needless to say it's brilliant and it saved me roughly 50%. And yes, I found it via OzBargain.