Lowering Vehicle Repair Costs
© 2003 by Kyle Busch
The cost of vehicles and their related repairs are expensive. Although
the tips provided in this article will not eliminate such expenses,
they will help you to take control of vehicle repairs and thus lower
their costs.
We have all seen commercials on TV touting the "great vehicle
service" provided by dealer service departments. They know your
vehicle better than anyone else, they use original replacement parts,
etc. etc ... But at what cost is such great service available? Well,
usually at about $75-$95 per hour.
In many instances, vehicle repairs can be completed for substantially
lower hourly rates. Many independent garages employ ASE certified and
licensed mechanics. These garages generally charge about $40-$50 per
hour.
If you are unfamiliar with independent garages in your area, it can
be useful to talk with your friends about which garages and mechanics
have repaired their vehicles. Be on the lookout for the names of garages
that are recommended over and over by numerous people.
Next, visit a few of the garages, talk with the owner, and ask about
the hourly rate charged for vehicle repairs. Be sure to inquire if the
rate charged for the repairs is a "straight hourly rate" or
a "book rate."
A straight hourly rate involves the amount of time that it actually
takes a mechanic to do a vehicle repair. On the other hand, a book rate
involves the customer being charged an amount of time the book specifies
a repair should take.
For example, installing new front and rear brake pads on a vehicle
could take one hour. Using a straight rate of $50 per hour, the repair
would cost $50 for labor, plus the cost of the brake pads. The book
rate might specify that it "should" take the mechanic 1.5
hours to do the work. Thus, the customer would be charged $75 for the
labor, plus the cost of the brake pads.
When using the book rate method, even if the brake job takes the mechanic
only 55 minutes to complete, the customer is still charged for 1.5 hours
of time. The book rate method of doing vehicle repairs generally benefits
the garage and not the customer.
If the garage owner seems to squirm when you ask about the billing
method used for vehicle repairs, it is best to visit other garages.
Mechanic ASE certification, licensure, and the garage owner's response
to billing practices will go a long way in your identifying the garage
that is right for you. Last, but not least, observe how neat and orderly
the repair shop looks. This is a straight forward indication of how
the garage is run.
In most instances, garages "mark-up" the price of parts used
for vehicle repairs. Garages purchase parts at a wholesale prices and
then mark-up the parts used for repairs. Although it is becoming rarer
and rarer today, some garages will allow a customer to purchase the
parts that will be used to repair their vehicle. Such garages will quote
the customer on just the cost of labor to install the parts.
It can be to a customer's advantage to get a quote on both the parts
and labor prior to having their vehicles repaired. If the customer is
so inclined, he or she can check on the cost of parts at retail parts
stores such as Auto Zone, or Advanced Auto. In many instances, even
better prices on parts can be obtained by getting on the Internet and
visiting sites such as: www.expressautoparts.com
or www.performancemotorcars.com.
When it comes to vehicle repairs, taking the time to ask some questions
and establish a good relationship with an independent garage can really
help to lower vehicle repair costs. Identifying a garage and a mechanic
with whom you are comfortable makes all the difference in the world!
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy
a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money.
Learn more about the author and the book at: www.drivethebestbook.com.
The web site accepts all transportation questions.
Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta
A used vehicle that is closing in on 300,000 miles
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