Roadworthy Check (VIC) - Am I Being Ripped off?

Lsomeguy21 on 23/04/2021 - 14:52

Hi, I’ve recently brought my old car in to get Roadworthy and was wondering if I’m being charged fairly. The shop is charging a fair rate for RWC at $195. My car is a 2008 Mercedes C Class and I understand that it’s old and German and probably needs some maintenance on it. Fair enough! I was shocked however, after receiving the report from the shop telling me that the car has failed the test and will require the following -

  1. Front wipers need replacing ($95) - I had my service person check this just 2 months ago and he said they were healthy. Albeit it’s not expensive so I don’t mind this, however I’ve found that blades on my car should cost closer to $70
  2. Remove front brake disc’s and machine ($45x2) - Understand that this is quite a typical thing that gets done, especially if a car is older and hasn't had fresh brakes fitted. Can someone advice how I can check myself if my car needs this
  3. Labour ($396) - This is what really has me worried since I can’t imagine it taking many hours to do the above.
    Please let me know if these rates are reasonable. I’m more than happy to take on these costs if they are market rate, just don’t want to be the victim of another mechanic looking to make a quick buck off an RWC check. (I’m being cautious because my last service was 2 months ago and none of these things were brought up by my mechanic. I also only drive this car about twice a week so I can’t imagine much has changed since).

So that's $776 in total.

Appreciate the help!

Automotive

Comments

  • SF3 on 23/04/2021 - 15:00
    +2

    Am I Being Ripped off?
    2008 Mercedes C Class

    Because, you look like high yield $$

    Front wipers need replacing ($95)

    Need this for roadworthy?? wtf…

    • rickb on 23/04/2021 - 16:03

      My son just purchased a car. The left wiper was replaced to get the road worthy certificate. Nothing else was needed.

    • doctordv8 on 24/04/2021 - 14:12
      +2

      Seriously dude? If the wipers…correct naming is wiper inserts - the rubber part that actually wipes the water away to give a clear view, if they are not in good condition, ie are chattering or leaving water tracks, then they need to be replaced. Common sense to be able to see clearly.

      • Euphemistic on 24/04/2021 - 17:46
        +1

        Some wiper now need the whole blade bit replaced, not just the insert.

        • pegaxs on 27/04/2021 - 19:51

          Can confirm. Had a few vehicle like that recently. The whole blade assembly had to be replaced as it was all made of rubber… there was no "insert" to replace.

          • Euphemistic on 27/04/2021 - 22:16

            @pegaxs: Yeah. It sucks, I’m thinking I’ll buy a couple of wiper arms off an older model to use old school blades next time.

  • robbyjones on 23/04/2021 - 15:01
    +1

    Why didn't you take your car to the mechanic that did the work for a roadworthy check, or can you not do this in Vic? If you can't surely you could get advice from them on it.

    • someguy21 on 23/04/2021 - 15:03

      Yeah I wanted to get it done at the closest place from home so I could walk home, since I thought I wouldn't run into any problems..

  • iNeed2Pee on 23/04/2021 - 15:11
    +1

    When it comes to RWC it is a tough one in Victoria.

    Mechanics pay for the licence to do that, so they try and make more money through different means.
    Each mechanic has a different cost for labour and parts. An option could be to call a different mechanic, and ask them what they charge for the above, inclusive of labour.

    Also fyi look at this link. https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/roadworthiness/…

    It indicates exactly what a mechanic is allowed to check for a roadworthy to go through.

    IMO, yeah it sounds a bit much.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/04/2021 - 15:21
    +1

    Never machine european brake discs. It will only accelerate the wear. The thinner they get the more likely they are to warp. If your pads aren't needing to be replaced and you dont have the steering wheel shaking in your hand when braking you dont need a disc machine. For roadworthy in NSW the car just needs to have an acceptable stopping distance (measured on an authourised testing machine) no matter the state of pads and discs (can be metal to metal).

    • brad1-8tsi on 23/04/2021 - 19:54

      ^^^^^what he said^^^^^

      Do not machine the discs. They are cheap enough to buy new these days (around $220/pair)
      In NSW the car has to stop IAW the brake test machine parameters. You can have leaking wheel cylinders, worn brakes, etc as long as it pulls the deceleration number. Why would Vic be different?

      Did he show you what was wrong with the wipers. They can only knock you back if they are damaged or obscuring the drivers vision.

      You can only inspect those things as the car stands on the day, not something that might be worn out next month.

      You can not imply that something should be done for safety if it is not a failure. The inspector needs to be quite clear what has to be done as part of the inspection and what has to be done as part of anything he happened to notice.

      Just to give him the poos, get it fixed elsewhere

      • doctordv8 on 24/04/2021 - 14:21
        +1

        Wrong on…. if cylinders are leaking regardless of brake performance numbers, that is a fail. Roadworthy Inspections do have a time and kilometer limit imposed, withing normal operating parameters, and varies state to state.

        The inspections are about the most difficult of our workshop duties, as we often rely on interpretations of rule and it must be up to the standards expected in the guide lines as well as transport departments, as they rule with a very big stick.

        And the "do not machine"…. the difference of new to machining is not a blanket answer, even with the numbers given.

        • brad1-8tsi on 24/04/2021 - 15:03

          The rego inspector at the workshop I worked at lost his inspectors licence because he knocked back wheel cylinders that were leaking from the seal but brake fluid hadn't got past the dust boot. The business model was that every car got a "free safety check", hence wheels and drums off and he implied that the wheel cylinders had to be done to pass rego.

  • MS Paint on 23/04/2021 - 15:24
    +5

    Just because they quoted on the work doesn't mean they have to do it.

    Purchase and replace wipers yourself. ✔️

    Ring around brake specialists for quotes and get the cheapest to do the work ✔️

    Return vehicle to original mechanic for tick of approval ✔️

    Avoid the lazyman tax and get to work.

    brought my old car in to get Roadworthy

    I assume you are selling?

    Personally IMHO for an old Euro you have dodged a bullet for some potentially more expensive items. How many km's on the old lady?

  • Presence on 23/04/2021 - 16:28
    +3

    Labour is a rip off. Wipers takes 5m, brakes an hour. Surely they aren't charging $400 an hour lol.

  • Euphemistic on 23/04/2021 - 16:37
    +3

    I must be getting old. Having trouble computing a 2008 car being ‘old’. Seems it’s 12yo now, I guess that’s fairly old for a car

    • mapax on 23/04/2021 - 16:50
      +1

      I hear you. I got offered a damaged 2007 model Rodeo and thought to myself it would be nice to have a modern car.

  • brendanm on 23/04/2021 - 16:41

    Don't machine brakes on Mercedes. Replace the pads and rotors if they are worn or shuddering.

    • knasty on 23/04/2021 - 18:33
      +1

      Yeah I fell into the machining trap before. $200 bucks to make $200 rotors flat. Never again - after the shuddering came back 6 months later I replaced them with quality DBA rotors and surprise surprise not a shudder ever since.

  • pegaxs on 23/04/2021 - 17:17

    Lol @ $95 wiper blades… buy silly cars, pay silly prices.

    RWC guys report shit for the sake of making money in the hope that you just say “go ahead and do it…” but I say (fropanity) ‘em, take it elsewhere or do some of the work yourself.

  • someguy21 on 23/04/2021 - 18:05
    +1

    Hey everyone thanks for your responses.

    Yeah after a bit of digging I definitely think what was quoted for labour is a bit far out, and would honestly rather not give them my business. I am going to change the blades myself, and I found a more honest shop that had a look at the car and was more upfront about it. I was going to let that shop handle the machining/ replacing rotors if necessary (his labour and replacing the parts don't even come close to what the previous guy was charging for just machining..) and then bring it back to get my RWC, yknow.. since I have paid for that.

    After letting the first guy know that I was going to do that, he told me that he would have to charge me another $165 for a a re-inspection (since he didn't do the work and will have to spend time checking again), which is pretty damn ridiculous.. This just confirms it for me that he is just out to make a dirty dollar, and I will certainly not be going back to him.

    • brad1-8tsi on 23/04/2021 - 20:02
      +1

      I would report him. Read all this page.

      Also, it appears the re-inspection fee is free within 14 days at many places. Maybe ask more questions next time?

      https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/roadworthiness/…

      What to do if you don’t agree with the outcome of your roadworthy test?
      Remember, a roadworthy certificate only shows that a vehicle’s safe enough to be driven on public roads. It isn’t a guarantee that a vehicle’s mechanically sound or in perfect condition.
      If you don’t agree with the outcome of your roadworthy inspection, you can follow these steps:

      Check that the component in question is part of the roadworthy test within the Vehicle Standards Information (VSI) 26 – Roadworthiness requirements [PDF 415 Kb]. Contact the tester who issued the certificate and explain your concerns.
      If that doesn’t resolve the issue, obtain an independent roadworthy inspection from another Licensed Vehicle Tester to support your claim and present this to the first tester. This should be done as soon as possible, ideally within the 30 day currency of the certificate.
      If the independent inspection confirms your concerns, and the original tester won’t co-operate, then notify us with a written complaint, including supporting documents (i.e. a copy of the first roadworthy certificate and the independent certificate) via either:
      Mail to:

      VicRoads, Vehicle Fitness Section
      60 Denmark Street
      KEW 3101
      Or
      email your complaint and supporting documents

  • carenthusiast76 on 26/04/2021 - 22:31

    No.

  • Brick Tamland on 27/04/2021 - 19:42

    yeah its a bit much. I just got my brake pads replaced and rotors machined today at a total cost of $320 which is cheaper than just the labour quoted. Go to a brake specialist and do the wipers yourself

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