Mechanic Changed My Spark Plug for No Reason

TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:11
Last edited 14/12/2022 - 12:29 by 1 other user

Hey guys,
long story short but I went to a highly rated mechanic in my local town (4.9 stars, >50 reviews) a few weeks ago.
I got called up and told that there is no history of my spark plugs being changed at 100,000km (my service was for 155,000km) and that they need to be changed and it will cost $xyz.
I agreed to it.

Just today I was checking my service book because my partner was in the shops and I realized that my spark plugs had indeed been changed at 100,000km. This was written by Nissan as one of the things that the mechanic has to do at 100,000km, and it was signed off by the mechanic who did my service (different store). I also realized that the current mechanic charged me for 4 hours for spark plugs alone while the previous mechanic had done my entire service in 4 hours including spark plugs. The spark plugs that the current mechanic charged me for are also almost double the price ($55 vs $25).

Have I been tricked into paying nearly $800 for no reason? I dont know anything about cars but it's clearly written in the service receipt that the mechanic gave me that there is no history of spark plug changing at 100,000km, even though it was in my log book that it was.

What should I do? I live quite a bit away from the mechanic so I would rather get some information from someone who knows their stuff rather than go there and be told some jargon about iridium spark plugs compared with copper ones etc… Also I don't want to go there and be upset and demand an explanation if the mechanic did do the right thing by changing my spark plugs 155,000km.

Automotive

closed Comments

  • MS Paint on 12/12/2022 - 15:20
    +7

    In the cars service manual what is the suggested spark plug replacement interval for your Murano?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/12/2022 - 16:01
      +2

      Probably the most important question but OP has ignored it so far…

  • PissLUR on 12/12/2022 - 15:20
    -1

    you agreed to it.. and your title is misleading.

    • Bafranz on 12/12/2022 - 15:23
      -3

      agreed, they called you up and you said yes

    • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:34
      +10

      I agreed to it because I was told the spark plugs needed changing as they were never replaced at 100,000km.

      • PissLUR on 12/12/2022 - 15:42
        -4

        and you can reply in saying that they have been replaced or get them to check the service book?

        • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:59
          +12

          I'm not sure why this is so difficult to understand but I don't have my log book with me and I don't know anything about cars. I made a mistake and trusted them.

    • ThithLord on 12/12/2022 - 15:39
      +26

      Wow I can't believe OP agreed to it, so crazy that OP took the mechanics unwarranted recommendation. OP's fault.

      Do you guys listen to yourselves?

      • ChatCPT on 14/12/2022 - 11:50
        +1

        karma will get these muppets in their next mech visit

  • Mokr on 12/12/2022 - 15:26

    Has it been 48 months technically should be 75k so he shorted you 25k

    • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:35

      No, the 100,000km service was early 2020.

  • mapax on 12/12/2022 - 15:26
    +7

    Plot twist- previous mechanic said they changed the plugs but never did…

    • Euphemistic on 12/12/2022 - 17:24
      +4

      Plot twist twist. Previous mechanic signed off on changing plugs on a diesel engine.

      • Switchblade88 on 12/12/2022 - 18:27

        To be fair, changing the glow plugs on a diesel should also be part of your car's regular dietary intake.

  • bdl on 12/12/2022 - 15:28

    I agreed to it.

    case closed

    • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:35
      +4

      I agreed to it because I was told the spark plugs needed changing as they were never replaced at 100,000km.

    • franco cozzo on 12/12/2022 - 19:16
      +4

      judge judy?? is that you????

  • JimB on 12/12/2022 - 15:30
    +10

    $800 for spark plugs?

    Got ripped of badly.

    Having said that, ask the Mechanic to reimburse you.

    Not for the full amount but a pro-rata e.g. 45% off the fee as it was changed early unnecessarily.

    Copper plugs won't last 100,000km but platinum ones will.

    • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:35

      It was around $750 including 4 hours labour.

      • JimB on 12/12/2022 - 15:38

        What was the total bill for the service?

        • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:46

          $1100 or so for service + spark plugs.

    • skid on 12/12/2022 - 16:17
      +5

      Yeh, was just gonna say.

      Normally, I'd say to let it slide but at $800, I'd go back and kick up a stink.

  • jv on 12/12/2022 - 15:33
    +15

    Mechanic Changed My Spark Plug for No Reason

    Maybe the reason was to make money ?

  • [Deactivated] on 12/12/2022 - 15:37
    +3

    Just today I was checking my service book because my partner was in the shops ….

    Blame your partner - if only they had not gone into a bricks & mortar shop then you would be none the wiser! Suggest partner does online shopping to prevent uncovering of any future mechanical inconsistencies - avoid Chemist Warehouse tho

  • freefall101 on 12/12/2022 - 15:46

    Sure it's not that there's no note on which type of spark plugs?

    Anyway, call your mechanic and ask them. $800 is too much unless you have a particularly difficult car.

    Also, why change mechanic? Sounds like your last one was fine.

    • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 15:52

      You're completely correct, the previous mechanic did my entire car service and everything in 4 hours for under $300.
      But unfortunately we've moved 8 hours away and this was the highest rated mechanic in my town

      • WhyAmICommenting on 14/12/2022 - 11:37

        Don’t know how they’d make a living charging that for ~4 hours of service. Was it a home business?

  • Drakesy on 12/12/2022 - 16:03
    +8

    Yeah,
    Mechanic shafted you on that one a bit.
    Each spark plug should maybe cost $30-$40 depending on quality - could've used platinum which would've been a little bit more and like $250 labour max (~20 mins a spark plug). - that's being conservative.

  • DJR9000 on 12/12/2022 - 16:11
    +2

    If its the v6 murano then it does take a while to change over the plugs unfortunately. He should have quoted you a price beforehand, though. I'd maybe just call him and mention that the plugs had been changed and if maybe he can discount the next service (rather than having to go through the hassle of a partial refund?)

    On the V6 it appears that you basically have to remove the whole wiper and wiper motor cowling to get into the plugs facing the firewall side of the bay.

    Hopefully he's used platinum or iridium plugs though so it shouldnt need to be done for another 100,000 kms

  • rockman117 on 12/12/2022 - 16:24
    +4

    which car do you have? I've had bad experiences with mechanics to the point I've learnt how to do most servicing myself off youtube. I trust me than a mechanic to do simple oil changes and spark plug replacements (mainly toyotas)

  • godofpizza on 12/12/2022 - 16:24

    Considering the mainfold requires to be disassembled in order to get to the spark plugs. But it concernly not 4 hours, unless it's you very first time as a mechanic.

    done in 20 mintutes.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53TT0c5aSs

  • pegaxs on 12/12/2022 - 16:45
    +2

    $800 for spark plugs??? Damn, I need to become a mechanic…

    On a BRZ/86, that's cheap. On a Hyundai Accent, that's 3x the cost of the car…

    • Worf on 12/12/2022 - 20:43

      How much does spark replacement cost on a brz/86? Is it a boxer engine? Heard spark plugs are difficult to access on boxers

  • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 17:15
    +13

    Just had a chat with them and the guy said because the mechanic who did the 100,000km service didn't specifically make a note on the log book that the spark plugs had been changed, they couldn't trust that they had actually done it. They said that they always write the major replacements so next time they know.

    I thought whatever, I just won't go there again next time. But when I got home I checked the 155,000km service that they did, and they did NOT write that the spark plugs had been changed themselves either.

    Now I'm convinced that I've been swindled.

    • Keplaffintech on 12/12/2022 - 17:19
      +6

      Charging $750 for spark plugs is enough evidence to know you've been swindled. Regardless of whether they're needed or not.

      Also, a mechanic can look at a plug and determine if it needs replacement, they don't necessarily need to go off the logs.

      What car do you have? Some spark plug jobs are a PITA

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/12/2022 - 17:20
      -2

      Ok, but can you answer this now? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13102663/redir

      since you finally now have the log book in yours hands, that you stated earlier you didn't have.

      • TheBardsTale on 12/12/2022 - 17:42
        +5

        This really isn't that important that you need to analyse everything I'm saying lol.

        I said I didn't have my logbook WHEN THEY CALLED.

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/12/2022 - 19:38
          -2

          It does matter if the spark plugs have a km or year interval that isn't 100k if you want to escalate this somehow.

  • Quantumcat on 12/12/2022 - 17:56
    +4

    I don't think you can do anything about it. Yes they way overcharged you but you agreed to it. All you can do is give them a bad review, tell everyone you know not to go there and don't go back there yourself either.

  • randomusername2017 on 12/12/2022 - 18:07
    +1

    Tradies sure do ❤️ U

  • Empharand on 12/12/2022 - 18:16
    +1

    I understand where you're coming from OP and I agree with you as it sounds human error on their part (Clear oversight) by the mechanic that reviewed your log book, but unfortunately you agreed to it…. however you may be able to speak to the owner, show them the log book entry and allow them to speak to the tech that reviewed your log book, and they may (or may not) reimburse (Partially or in full) you for their oversight, but it's highly unlikely.

    Otherwise best you can do is leave feedback on their Google review page regarding their oversight with the 100,000km Spark Plug replacement log book entry.

    I had a somewhat similar thing happen to me during my first year of owning a car (2011ish)
    I had my Spark Plugs replaced by a local mechanic due to a miss-firing issue. Skip ahead 6+ months later I went to another mechanic to get a Full Service done, asked the owner if he could skip the Spark Plug replacement and to only charge me for the other service components and he said no problems…. and yep they replaced them and charged me (As per their fixed cost which included Spark Plugs), I disputed it referencing the conversation I had with the owner prior to the service, and he said (and I quote - From memory) "I'll get one of my boys to retrieve the Spark Plugs from the bin, I'll charge you at [Insert rate here] for how ever long it takes for him to find all 6 plugs and depending on how long it takes will dictate whether I (The mechanic) reimburse you (Me) or I invoice you"

    • franco cozzo on 12/12/2022 - 20:12
      +2

      <sound of crickets>

    • Sleeqb7 on 13/12/2022 - 12:00

      I couldn't tell you the number of times my mechanic said to me "We can do this, but due to the age of the car I wouldn't really recommend it", also finding workarounds to minor issues that don't affect the safety or drivability of the car, but definitely reduced cost.
      I even specifically asked about getting things done by them when taking the car in for a service and they've responded "Honestly I don't think it i required for this model/age/when it was last done".
      Time and time again, I took them my cheap, old, crappy car and they kept the costs down for me while always fixing the issues I presented them with.

      Since then, I've got a much newer car that isn't falling apart, and so I'm just getting regular service intervals which are always half the price of the stealership.

      There are good mechanics around.
      I found mine by being mates with a former-mechanic who when asked for a suggestion said "My missus went to (shop name) when we had too much on for me to do it, and I checked over the invoice and they charged fairly and didn't even try to upsell any services while she was there."

    • OzPandaGirl on 13/12/2022 - 14:31

      @shxhshzhz my dad had a brilliant mechanic up until dad stopped driving earlier this tear at 92, and his mechanic retired. I now drive dads tank of a car (some sort of old merc) and am dreading looking for a mechanic. But yeah, this guy was amazing. :)

  • JIMB0 on 12/12/2022 - 20:46
    +1

    I know a person who got overcharged for a battery once.

    • Hackney on 13/12/2022 - 08:05
      +3

      @JIMBO, so he was ‘overcharged’?

      • JIMB0 on 13/12/2022 - 20:19
        +1

        It was a negative experience.

        • McFly on 14/12/2022 - 12:05

          That's unfortunate - usually getting a new battery has both positive and negative aspects.

  • Worf on 12/12/2022 - 20:48
    +4

    I went to a local independent mechanic for a log book service (car is still under manufacturer warranty) and he charged the agreed rate. Pretty uneventful story, point being, there are honest mechanics out there…

  • kerfuffle on 13/12/2022 - 05:46
    +4

    Of course OP vandalised their own thread.

  • Ryanek on 13/12/2022 - 08:26
    +6

    I'm not sure why people here are dismissing your concerns just because you "agreed" to it. You were intentionally misled, and I think you have a case.

    At the very least I think you should argue for a discount since the installation was done in bad faith.

    • franco cozzo on 13/12/2022 - 09:19

      i think its one of these reasons people are dismissive:

      a. it seems to happen frequently here….victim blaming, trolling, bullying, dog piling, sea lioning, stalking profiles etc.
      group think kicks in and away they go…witch hunt!

      b. its ozbargain

  • skillet on 13/12/2022 - 09:59
    +1

    Spark plugs don't suddenly just die, they wear out slowly and the spark gaps become wider making your engine drink more fuel or run rough. That's when the time your mechanic does a tune up. I don't mean you should ignore it but you should go by feel.

    Car manufacturers want you to change it on intervals to prevent rusted seized up plugs and the condition of the spark end can tell the health of an engine.

    Platinum plugs are very cheap but not sure about labour because some engine design and bolt on parts makes it so painful to remove the plugs. For some cars it's just as simple as removing the wire boots, give it a a good brush and vacuum to prevent debris from entering the cyclinder. Then undo the sparkplug. Repeat 3-12x depending on the number of cyclinders. Then reverse the steps for installation. This is for simple engines. For Euros you will sometimes end up with broken plastic plugs because they so cooked and brittle that means extra $$$ plus the time to remove and reinstall the bolt on parts.

  • lew380 on 13/12/2022 - 10:11

    Well you made a major fault, you decided to go all out and start making decisions for yourself like some king of the mechanical jungle without consulting the ozbargain forum. We would have insulted, ridiculed and laughed at your absurd and unnecessary question but would have saved you the $800. Consider this an expensive lesson and move on.

  • Mungulz on 13/12/2022 - 10:18

    What sort of Nissan is it?

    • Hackney on 13/12/2022 - 10:41
      -1

      One with four wheels?

      • franco cozzo on 13/12/2022 - 12:29
        -1

        5 actually…ya forgot the spare

        • Hackney on 13/12/2022 - 14:39
          +1

          Damn! Forgot about the spare!

  • Leadfoot6 on 13/12/2022 - 19:07

    As usual, on many forums the OP does not mention what type of vehicle is being discussed.
    Make/model/engine type/engine code also helpful/month-year to help identify when there is a model or series change.
    I just cannot understand why posters do not provide this sort of valid information, and yet want detailed answers.
    I did most of my own mechanical work until recently(now suffering disability so I am more often needing outside help), but when I talk to a "service advisor" at a dealership or local mechanic they are going to want to ask the questions I posed in line 2.
    I see that a number of other posters have responded with asking similar, less detailed, questions that the OP has declined to answer even though there have been ample opportunities to do so.
    I don't know why I bother trying to help people with car problems on forums, even though I have more than 40 years experience.

  • Deals For Days on 14/12/2022 - 11:28

    If they lied to you about what was in the log book 100% I’d kick up a fuss and demand (partial?) refund. You can’t lie to customers that’s pretty obviously an ACCC violation.

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 14/12/2022 - 12:29

    The OP does not want to participate any further, so comments will now be closed.

    Thanks

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