Did I Overpay for a Service on My Mazda 3?

Homr on 30/06/2021 - 00:04
Last edited 30/06/2021 - 09:43 by 1 other user

Hi All,

Edit: This was not at a dealership

I just spent $1185 for my car service for my Mazda 3 the other day and I felt that I grossly overpaid.

$295 for service
$140 to replace Air filter and cabin pollen filter
$750 for front brake pads and rotor

Does that sound right to you guys? The $750 for front brake pads and rotor is my biggest concern. When I was quoted, I thought I was getting both front and rear pads for rotor for $750 which looks to be a reasonable deal. Then when I checked the final work done, they only replaced the front brake pads and rotor.

They also recommended me to change my 4 tyres which was ranging from $145 - $195 per tyre + $88 Wheel alignment.
I declined that offer and booked bought 4 tyres from this Tyresale deal for $539 all up including wheel Alignment.

Automotive

Comments

  • kenzstar on 30/06/2021 - 00:10
    +1

    That pricing looks like dealership pricing which is always going to be expensive. If you go to an indie mechanic, it will be much cheaper

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 00:10

      It was not a dealership

  • SF3 on 30/06/2021 - 00:11
    +6

    Sounds like you got your car serviced at a stealership.

    edit: didn't see first comment, but stealership pricing…

    how many KM, year old service?

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 00:13

      no it wasn't a dealership. It was at a mechanic in the CBD. Found them on google and they have over 300 review with an average 4+ star rating.

      They were also mentioned here in ozbargain.

      • AndyC1 on 30/06/2021 - 10:41

        Everything is more expensive in the CBD. It was mentioned on ozbargain as the op did not want to travel to cheaper places outside the CBD.

        The would have rang you about the extra work to get your go ahead before any work was done. At this point you should have said no to the extra work. You can get it done cheaper outside the CDB as was indicated on the previous thread.

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 00:17

      9th year 180,000km service. But my ODO is only 98,000km

  • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 00:20
    +1

    I feel like a total idiot now when my car is worth around $14,000 at best but I'm paying almost $2k including a new set of tyres for maintenance.

    • kenzstar on 30/06/2021 - 00:33
      +1

      Next time go for one in the suburbs, I go to a vietnamese/ asian mechanics they are much cheaper. Cost me $140 for a oil and filter change here in Melbourne western suburbs. The air and pollen filter you can buy together for like $60, if you know your car make and model you can search that up on super cheap auto or repco and just replace it yourself.

    • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 06:47
      +10

      Got news for you if you think your 9 year old Mazda 3 is worth $14k…

      • Euphemistic on 30/06/2021 - 06:56
        +6

        But, but, cOvID TaX

        • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 07:21
          +2

          "But but but, iVe SeeN SoMe fOr SaLe oN FaRtbOOk FoR $14,000…"

          They don't get the "for sale" part and how that's far removed from "sold".

          I don't know, OP might own an MPS and that could explain some of the costs.

          • bloom on 30/06/2021 - 07:53

            @pegaxs: Might have some fully sick mods making it extreeeeemely rare

      • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 08:20
        +1

        ohhh doh!

      • pharkurnell on 30/06/2021 - 09:51
        +3

        That nearly gave me an aneurysm reading that.
        I think he meant $4k

      • ronitdias on 01/07/2021 - 14:38

        This is exactly what doesn't make sense when people go to value their cars, given the current market where prices are being inflated but you have factors like mileage, how much work has gone into it but instead people are just bent on trying to price it on what they feel it is worth.

        The most common trend is trying to justify the expense of a major repair in the price. 9yr old Mazda priced at $14k because i've spend 2k on repairs. You repaired the car to prevent it from causing you as the driver and everyone else on the road any harm. And then the worst excuse is comparing it to ads they've seen on Facebook.

        If you putting high prices on the car is justified because you saw someone else post it for the same price, you can bet that I'll find an ad where someone has listed the price this model + mileage for exactly what its worth and you have to match that instead.

    • redvaldez on 30/06/2021 - 09:10
      +3

      I feel like a total idiot now when my car is worth around $14,000 at best but I'm paying almost $2k including a new set of tyres for maintenance.

      Welcome to car ownership. Over time you spend more on maintenance and repairs as the value of the car also diminishes. If it makes you feel better, I paid over $1000 for one of my services on a $5000 4WD because the rear brakes needed to be rebuilt. But what's the alternative? You either buy a new car, or you drive an unsafe and unreliable car.

      • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 09:16
        +2

        All the hard money I saved from ozbargain, I pretty just given it all back to this mechanic :(

    • pharkurnell on 30/06/2021 - 10:01
      +1

      9yr old Mazda 3 isnt worth $14,000 even if it is made of 24 carat gold.

  • sNk801 on 30/06/2021 - 00:40

    Price is kind of normal for most mechanics to be honest. A general oil change can cost from $120-$250 depending on the brand of parts they use. Mechanics charge labour by the hour and could be from $80-$150ph.
    Brake pads generally range from $50-$300 a set depending on brand and same as rotors, so the price for these is quite standard if they used a good brand.

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 08:31

      On the invoice, they charged $150 for labour

      I'm definitely not going to these mobs again

      • DoctorCalculon on 30/06/2021 - 20:58

        $150 for labour

        Is that their per hour price? Or, the total labour cost for the whole job? If it is the latter, it definitely does not sound right.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2021 - 01:11

    295 service is expensive but depends what they did. Most places do a oil change and oil filter change and call that a service.

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 08:34

      It seems like service from independent mechanics charge the same as dealership since the independent mechanics has access to the dealership database on how much they charge for a service

  • Vancomycin 1000mg on 30/06/2021 - 05:24

    The filters on mazda 3 are damn easy for both air intake and cabin. Surprised they charge that much.

    • DoctorCalculon on 30/06/2021 - 21:01

      Because they know they can get away with it.

      What you need to do is make friends with an honest mechanic (if you can find one), and maybe bring them in question the bill before you pay it.

  • mini2 on 30/06/2021 - 06:35
    +3

    They got you good on the brakes - assuming they supplied a basic DBA rotor, that's $133 each and a set of Bendix pads for $100. They're all retail price…

    For about same labour cost as you, a mechanic in Kensington done a pads and rotors change both front and rear for $400 in labour. I thought it was expensive.

  • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 06:43
    +2

    The service itself, not really, about what I would expect. Depends on what they carried out, maybe a little over priced if it was just a filter and oil change.
    That cabin pollen filter… they saw you coming with that. Christ that is expensive. Unless it took them an hour to do it, oh, and the filter was trimmed in gold.
    Brakes, well, while they didnt completely bend you over a barrel there, they certainly had their way with your wallet. And let me guess, the excuse was “genuine Mazda parts”?

    • Chandler on 30/06/2021 - 12:56

      “genuine Mazda parts”

      The plastic framing around my boot release button has deteriorated to the point it broke off, and no longer holds the button in place. New one was either $300 or $500 (can't remember). Got a Mazda2 one (which requires some slight modifications) for $7 off AliExpress.

      A few years back, had a Nissan Pulsar blow it's power steering hose. $30 from SCA vs $300 from Nissan.

  • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 07:13
    +8

    $140 to replace Air filter and cabin pollen filter

    Could have done this yourself for around $45 and 10 minutes of your time. SCA have 25% off RYCO filter at the moment.

    • kerfuffle on 30/06/2021 - 07:27
      +6

      This. Even I know how to change them and I'm female. Just read the owner's manual.

      My brake pads were $88 genuine parts from eBay (I drive a Toyota) and I think $80 or less for labour. I went to one in the suburbs though; guess you're helping pay for that expensive World Square rent …

      • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2021 - 08:03
        +4

        Even I know how to change them and I'm female

        "That's it, I give up!"
        ~Naomi Wolf and 50,000 other feminists

        • kerfuffle on 30/06/2021 - 08:20

          I assume you gave the neg, going by your comment.

      • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 08:23
        +1

        Damn, I'll pay you next time

        • SF3 on 30/06/2021 - 09:54
          +2

          Maybe she should be your Marge? ;)

    • kolorijo on 30/06/2021 - 10:10
      +5

      Thank you, just bought one from SCA. I just learned how to change cabin air filter just now through Youtube. Super easy.

      • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 10:12
        +3

        Good on you. Well done.

    • Toph Beifong on 30/06/2021 - 22:14

      Not even 10 minutes, more like 30sec for the air intake and 1min for the cabin filter! I'm spewing that they could hammer you $140 for this

      • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 22:45

        I am assuming OP has no idea and has to watch YouTube videos first 🙂

  • Overclocked91 on 30/06/2021 - 07:31

    Ask them for the brands of the parts they used? We could be having this discussion for no reason if they used top quality products as especially for brakes can be very expensive.

  • Ocker on 30/06/2021 - 07:59

    Moral to the story is to find out exactly what they intend to do and agree on a price up front. Insist they contact you before undertaking any additional work.

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 09:15

      Yeh they did that.

      I initially got my car in expecting to pay $295 + minor parts fixes (spark plugs etc). An hour later they sent me an email with the "recommended" works to be done. The brakes and filters were one of the works. I did a quick google on the brakes and saw prices between $600-$900. The thing is that price range was for BOTH front and rear so I thought I was getting a reasonable deal for $750, it the $750 was only for front. With not much time to decide and in my mind thinking brakes are an important safety feature that I shouldn't ignore, I decide to give them the go ahead.

      What should I have done next time? Would it be reasonable to ask them to quote all the extra work prices and say I'll do the works at another time?

      • kerfuffle on 30/06/2021 - 09:19

        Would it be reasonable to ask them to quote all the extra work prices and say I'll do the works at another time?

        Yes

        • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 09:23

          yeh too late now, from these post I think I overpaid by $400-$600

          • Ocker on 30/06/2021 - 09:51

            @Homr: Put it down to one of life's little learning lessons - you will be a bit wiser next time.

          • mini2 on 30/06/2021 - 12:15

            @Homr: Yeah but think of the time saved by getting to and from a cheaper mechanic? The wise auctioneers at Pickles once said to me, it's only money at the end of the day…

          • DoctorCalculon on 30/06/2021 - 21:11

            @Homr: I think the big mistake you made here is not confirming that they were replacing both sets of brakes. You assumed that would be the case.

            Again, this is a common mistake that any of us could make because we assume the best, and our natural tendency to trust.

            An hour later they sent me an email with the "recommended" works to be done.

            Could you share with us what this email looks like (after redacting all personal information)?

            • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 21:55

              @DoctorCalculon: Hi

              We have looked over your vehicle for the service and inspection, please see our findings and prices below. I have also attached some photos for your reference.

              Items noted during inspection and recommended:
              1) Air filter and cabin pollen filter very dirty = $140 to remove and replace both filters. Photo attached of air filter condition, this should be white.
              2) Front tyres worn out on the edges and rear tyres out of shape and old. Recommend to replace all four tyres = $145/$155/$165/$180/$185 each tyre depending on brand. Photos attached of front tyre wear.
              3) Wheel alignment after replacing tyres to prevent wearing out new tyres prematurely = $88.
              4) Windscreen wiper blade assemblies old and noisy = $55 to remove and replace wiper blade assemblies, clear and adjust washer jets and clean windscreen.
              5) Front brakes only have 10% remaining = $375 for brake pads only and $750 for brake pads and disc rotors. No warranty on brake noise or judder if brake pads only replaced as you are fitting new brake pads to old and worn brake disc rotors.

              Please let me know your preferred repair options and I will make the necessary arrangements. All work can be completed today if you can let me know early enough.

              • DoctorCalculon on 01/07/2021 - 00:34

                @Homr:

                5) Front brakes

                As you can see, they only mention front brakes.

              • kerfuffle on 01/07/2021 - 06:51

                @Homr: You got ripped off hard on brake pads.

                • Homr on 01/07/2021 - 08:09

                  @kerfuffle: how hard?

                  • kerfuffle on 01/07/2021 - 08:18

                    @Homr: Like I said earlier, I got mine for $88 delivered from a Toyota dealership via eBay. Is that $375 inclusive of labour?

                    • Homr on 01/07/2021 - 08:19

                      @kerfuffle: yes $375 is inclusive of labour

                      • kerfuffle on 01/07/2021 - 08:21

                        @Homr: Pretty sure when I got my rear ones fitted a few years ago, labour was $100 max. So let’s say max $200. You paid $375 …

                        • Homr on 02/07/2021 - 20:02

                          @kerfuffle: so I around $300 - $400 more? damn, just damn these crooks

  • Big Lenny on 30/06/2021 - 09:01

    Typical stealership prices

    • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 09:29
      +2

      Not a stealership but an independent mechanic located in one of the most expensive locations on earth. Middle of the CBD in Sydney. Rent would be astronomical and they would have a fair slab of "convenient" tax on their charges…

  • payless69 on 30/06/2021 - 09:01

    Stop using the brakes so much, take the bus instead.

    • lunchbox99 on 30/06/2021 - 10:27
      +1

      Nah just smash into things to stop. Will cost less in brake pads but more in panel beating.

      • payless69 on 30/06/2021 - 12:37

        Had a free brake test back in 1982. Quote was $700 then for a Cortina. Did it myself for under $100. Ok it is "dirty" work but I have since swapped around 20 sets of pads, and a dozen or so shoes, even rotors. Tools are cheap, but finding an honest repairer is always a gamble.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/06/2021 - 09:04

    Had a similar service done, pretty sure around $500-$600. $250 for service, pollen filter and air filter. $200 something for brakepads and $90 for rotor

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 09:05

      !@#$

  • Youfah Mizzum on 30/06/2021 - 09:29
    -2

    If it gives you any piece of mind, I went to a local mechanic for a service on my car around 7 or 8 years ago.
    I ended up paying the around $2,400 for the whole shebang after they rang a few times and said "this needs doing. That needs doing". It ended up being MORE expensive than a dealer.
    I reported him to whatever vehicle repair authorities there were and just never went back. I refuse to go to him to this day despite the work being of an excellent quality. My car ran like a dream afterwards!

    I think I was going for a mid-service which he'd quoted me around $500.
    Then he rang and said "hey you're at the 100,000 km mark and need the timing belts etc done, that'll be $1200 (ish can't recall the exact figure)." I knew it needed doing so accepted.
    Then he rang again with same brake story as you "Hey you need new pads and rotors. That'll be $700."

    And right Xmas time too. That year the pressies were pretty lean.

    • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 09:36
      +7

      So they called you and you said yes to everything without doing anything about comparing their prices and this is somehow their fault even though you go on to say it was excellent quality workmanship and your car "ran like a dream".

      You can always say "no, thanks, just report it and I'll look into it when I have more time."

      Reported them… This is the reason businesses need their own site to review customers.

      • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 10:14

        piece of mind

        This is a piece of mind. Youfah was for peace of mind.

        • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 10:28
          +5

          Reminds me of a story of a friend who got a tattoo across their chest in Sanskrit that they thought said “Peace for all mankind”… when in fact, when I had it translated at work for him, it said “Piece for any man”.

          • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 10:34

            @pegaxs: You speak Sanskrit?

            • pegaxs on 30/06/2021 - 12:01

              @MS Paint: No, else I would have translated it for him on the spot. Plenty of older Indian people I could ask at the casino when I was working there what it translated into.

    • mini2 on 30/06/2021 - 12:14

      Sounded like a conversation I heard at my local mycar at the end of last year…

      $750 for a set of shocks, can't remember how much for a front pair of tyres, front pads and rotors plus the service etc. It was eye watering.

  • muckingfuppet on 30/06/2021 - 10:01
    +1

    cabin filter should only cost you like 50 bucks or so (max) and actually really easy to replace. It's behind the glovebox.

  • lunchbox99 on 30/06/2021 - 10:25

    I loved driving my previous car ( a mazda) but I thought the servicing costs were outrageous enough that I didn't buy another one.Total ripoff IMHO.

  • nephilim on 30/06/2021 - 10:30

    I assume it was a "major service" aka 2min spark plug swap? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkMyCk5-gO0

  • lowndes8 on 30/06/2021 - 10:30

    Yep you got ripped off

  • Keplaffintech on 30/06/2021 - 10:54
    +3

    $750 for pads and rotors is a bit of a rip. Yes you overpaid. Mechanic in the CBD is going to need to pay CBD rent to stay afloat, where do you think that money comes from?

    • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 11:43

      Yes, I expected to pay a bit more as it was close to where I live and it was only 10min walk. I did not expect to overpay THAT much!

      • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 12:00
        +1

        Perfect case of Lazyman Tax 🙂

        • Homr on 30/06/2021 - 12:03

          What else can I do? Drive out to the West away from home and wait at the shop for 3 hours?

          • MS Paint on 30/06/2021 - 12:04
            +2

            @Homr: They had shopping centres in the west last time I was there.

            Spend $300 on clothes for yourself and break even.

            • mini2 on 30/06/2021 - 12:10

              @MS Paint: At the end of the day, it's time vs money. How much would OP save by taking it out west but take into account the time lost getting to and from the place? Sure they could find a cafe or go to a food court and work from there assuming they could work remotely.

              They could probably save a bit of dosh by supplying the parts too if the place allows it. I've also got done for supplying the wrong parts in the past, costing more time (labour $$$) and having to buy another part anyway then the wrong part couldn't be returned because it's been attempted by the mechanic to make it fit.

  • nubzy on 30/06/2021 - 11:34
    +1

    Awful lot of money for the work done. Filters you are better off DIY, and brakes aren't that difficult either.

  • Lexan on 01/07/2021 - 00:11

    https://www.groupon.com.au/browse/melbourne?lat=-37.77&lng=1…

    I always use Groupon. All services have been great.

  • Cheeper on 01/07/2021 - 01:14

    Buy some tools, buy the parts and oil yourself and look up car diy info. Only way to beat the crooks.
    Alternatively get the parts and get a mobile mechanic to do the work.
    Never ask for a "service" as that only means a quick oil change at 3 x the price. Specify what you want done.

  • Overclocked91 on 03/07/2021 - 07:08

    It's not ideal but talk to the workshop and tell them you are not happy with the price and definitely were not expecting it to be that high and they might say we had issues etc etc. Everyone is here slamming the workshop when no one knows the full story.

    • pegaxs on 03/07/2021 - 13:42
      +3

      Everyone is here slamming the workshop when no one knows the full story.

      $140 to replace a pollen filter on ANY car is bullshit. About $25 retail price and what? an hours labour to fit them??
      $750 for pads and rotors on a Mazda 3 is extortionist rates. About $250 worth of parts at full retail and about an hours labour. Hell, with 2 hours labour at $150/h it is still only $550 all up.
      (As for the service, I don't know if it was an A service or a B service. But considering how they charged for the other items, I'm betting it was an over charged A/minor service.)

      THIS is why people are slamming it.

      • Overclocked91 on 03/07/2021 - 14:01

        They replaced both the air filters and pollen filters. Could be Ryco plus labour. The person obviously didn't want to fit it themselves so they paid for someone to do it. So you don't know if it was an A or B service and you are assuming it's a minor service when you don't know. That's my point. Im not saying that they weren't overcharged but you can't say they were ripped off when you don't know what materials they used and if they come across any issues.

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