Lowering Vehicle Repair Costs
 © 2004 by Kyle Busch, author of:
 "Drive the Best for the Price ..."
www.drivethebestbook.com
 

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
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 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.