Frugal Mom

Lowering Vehicle Repair Costs
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: Express Auto Parts Performance Motor Cars.

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!