Going in for a Service and Being Hit with Massive Bills

Lahuan1 on 13/06/2018 - 12:17
Last edited 13/06/2018 - 13:27 by 1 other user

I drive a Volkswagen TDI 2009 model. It’s done about 130k by now. The last year has been tough for this little guy. In April, it broke down on me and costed me 1.5k to fix it. Apparently one of the fuel injector was faulty and needed to be replaced. I had it towed to Volkswagen service centre at the time because it happened on a public holiday.

Two months later, I had another suspected issue. Went in today to VW dealership to have it inspected as I could see white smokes coming out from the engine and the car was giving off really bad diesel smell. They did a quick inspection and found that the return pipe was leaking and quoted me $600 to have it fixed.

Is there anyone else out there who also has no clue about cars and have been slammed with big bills all their lives when it comes to car servicing/repair? How to know what it is a reasonable price to pay to have things fixed and are there any other tips you guys can offer for future if my car needed more work done? Who should I go see first? What’s your usual protocol. How do I know if I’m being ripped off?

Thanks in advance OzBargainers!

Automotive

Comments

  • dcep on 13/06/2018 - 12:21
    +4

    get multiple quotes

    • ahuan1 on 13/06/2018 - 12:26
      +1

      Does getting it serviced at the dealership or at a random mechanic make any difference in terms of the quality of work? for some reasons I’ve always assumed dealership would supposedly do a better job but I’m starting to think the work is same but they just charge more…

      • j05h on 13/06/2018 - 12:29
        +4

        You just need a decent mechanic who knows what they're doing and won't rip you off (I know, easier said than done). A VW or European specialist might also be worth a try as they will have the correct equipment to work on it but won't charge stealership prices.

        • ahuan1 on 13/06/2018 - 12:31

          Stealership haha
          Looks like this is going to be the last time for me to go back there then…
          Had a quick look online at the parts they are going to fix and the prices they quoted are well over quadruple the online price… labour obviously on top ..

      • HighAndDry on 13/06/2018 - 12:35
        +3

        I wouldn't say dealerships always do better work. What you do get is another level to complain up to if you're not happy with the work, since they're answerable to the Head Office, and their Head Office would want to maintain the brand's reputation.

      • pegaxs on 14/06/2018 - 10:54
        +1

        but I’m starting to think the work is same but they just charge more…

        Ding ding ding! And we have a winner, folks! Spot on the money. Most of the stealerships I worked at hired the cheapest labour they could get, ie: lots of apprentices and guys just out of their apprenticeship. The older guys with the knowledge are too expensive for stealerships to employ.

  • singlemalt72 on 13/06/2018 - 12:25
    +16

    Ageing cars cost more, and Volkswagens do not age well - As a Passat owner, I know this.

    I'm lucky in that I am handy with tools and can fix most things myself, but I'm seriously looking at trading in my 2010 Passat with 130K soon and going back to a Subaru which are known for their longevity and reliability (two people in my office have outbacks with 300K plus on them and going as strong as ever).

    As for prices - I hope you aren't going to the dealership … this is the first mistake people make.
    You are better off looking for an independent and reliable mechanic (one who knows VW eccentricities). Join a forum like vwwatercooled.com.au and find out what mechanics in your area are good; People on the forum are only too happy to share details when they find a good mechanic.

    Hope this helps.

    • ahuan1 on 13/06/2018 - 12:33

      Thanks a lot! Now I regret signing the paper to have my car fixed this morning… will take this onboard for future!

  • nubzy on 13/06/2018 - 12:44
    +2

    I don't trust any mechanic. Better to learn how to do these things yourself and buy the parts yourself if you have the time. Otherwise do your research and find a good mechanic, there are some out there. You would still save a bit of money if you bought the part and took it to them for fitting.

  • PinzVidz on 13/06/2018 - 13:11
    +8

    Sell it. Don't buy another Vee-Dud.

    • poboy on 13/06/2018 - 20:37
      +1

      Yeah, we sold ours eight years ago and went Toyota. Such as good decision. I would never go euro again.

  • Viospeed on 13/06/2018 - 13:26
    +2

    Rule #1 if you want to save money, don't take your car to a dealership once it's out of warranty. A private owned mechanic shop who has 20 - 30 years experience will be cheaper.

  • thesilverstarman on 13/06/2018 - 13:29

    If you want a reliable car with cheap parts and a good warranty, go for a Kia or Hyundai. If you have a European Car, espc An Audi, BMW, VW. Skoda, then the service costs are expensive. These have a heap of plastic parts on the engine that need to be replaced every few years, or they will fail (plastic expands and contracts and does not last as long as metal). If these cars are well maintained then they are reliable, but cut corners, miss a service etc they will cost you money. In Independent specialist mechanic is a good idea, but a mechanic who just does the basics with no preventative maintenance will cost you money. I specilaise in Euro cars and I see so many that can afford the car but not the running costs. If you cant, then buy a Kia or Hyundai. They are cehap and reliable and parts are cheap. And never buy a Eoro car without a full service history, including timing belts, brake fluid changes etc.

    • Viospeed on 13/06/2018 - 13:30

      Well at least the OP didn't go out and buy a Merc or BMW then complain about service costs.

      • mini2 on 13/06/2018 - 13:46

        It's not that bad when VW indie charges $143-160 an hour labour and Merc dealerships are about $30-40/hr more. Learn how to use EPC/ETK to look up parts, order things from the states then it's not too expensive.

  • 87percent on 13/06/2018 - 13:43
    -7

    I think mechanical issues should be covered until insurance

  • Oakok on 13/06/2018 - 13:51
    +1

    I had a VW Golf, endless problems into its 6th year, including suddenly stalling which my local mechanic could not fix. So glad the day I traded mine in.
    Neighbour has a VW R32, and in the same situation.

  • Oz8argain on 13/06/2018 - 14:08

    I dont understand why some ozbargainers keeps recommending me to buy a VW

    • try2bhelpful on 13/06/2018 - 14:50
      +8

      Good emissions figures - oh wait a minute.

      • PinzVidz on 13/06/2018 - 19:03

        Yeah, just like Mercedes-Benz, they have great emissions fig… oh, hang on.

      • poboy on 13/06/2018 - 20:40

        VW got caught. Let's not be naive to think that the others just know how to hide it better.

  • SlickMick on 14/06/2018 - 09:23

    Another case of having to find a good company to do business with. It's good to have a wide circle of friends and put out the word when you need something. It's pretty painful checking reviews on the internet.

    I live in Gladstone but arrange a trip to Brisbane when the car needs a service because I found somebody good down there. I guess I'm eventually going to have to find somebody new.

  • farknos on 14/06/2018 - 10:31

    you drive a vw outside of factory warranty, you are always going to get ripped.

    buy a hyundai and enjoy life, sure the status in the neighborhood and at the local cafe is not the same but you will have a much better chance of not being ripped every time you turn the key.

  • voiletmay on 14/06/2018 - 11:46
    +1

    That is what dealers are like. Find a good honest mechanic. RACQ guys usually know who the good ones are.

  • HeWhoKnows on 14/06/2018 - 15:05

    Happens all the time.
    Always get a second opinion from an independent mechanic.
    Dealerships are the last place I would go

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