What should my mechanic charge?

Asking how much a mechanic should charge is a bit like asking ‘how long is a piece of string?’

When it comes to automotive servicing there are many pathways open to you and the cost can vary enormously.

Here are some guidelines to explain your options for parts replacement and labour when it comes to servicing and repairing your car.

The authorised (or franchised) dealership is usually an independent business licensed by a manufacturer to carry out servicing, repairs and warranty work. This type of operation is often (but not always), the most expensive option when it comes to automotive servicing, and here’s why...

In order to be an authorised repair centre, dealerships commit to buying manufacturer tools and sending their technicians to manufacturer training. That means buying the latest approved scan tools as well as equipment such as timing tools, which are often only used for one type of engine.

With margins reduced on the sales side of the dealerships, it is often the role of the service business to generate income to help cover the running of the entire operation. That means the hourly rate charged back to the customer can often cover the glossy bits you get at a dealership, like barista-style coffee, free loan vehicles and the wash and vacuum you get as part of the service.

Hourly rates will vary substantially depending on the brand of car you own, but it is not always easy to work out what that rate is, as some brands choose to invoice you in ‘units’ rather than hours.

Capped price servicing is now common in the new car world. The cost of this is sometimes not broken down when perusing dealer sites, so it’s difficult to see what you’re getting for your money.

As a rule of thumb, expect up to $275/$280 per hour for a prestige brand, while a mainstream brand is likely to charge around $150 per hour or sometimes less.

There are a lot of options available to customers dealing with an independent technician, so quotes can vary enormously.

The hourly rate charged by your local independent will relate to their overheads – the cost of running the business, including wages and salaries, training, equipment and rent.

Depending on your location, a reputable workshop with experienced technicians will charge at a similar rate to the mainstream authorised dealerships.

A general mechanic in a more competitive area might charge less as customers have more options for servicing. That’s one reason why you’re more likely to see signs for $149 services in the city but no such similar offerings in smaller country towns.

Not necessarily. Some manufacturers have introduced incredibly affordable capped-price servicing for their models. Toyota, for instance will charge just $140 for each of the first four services (or two years) on a 2017 Toyota Yaris.

A similar service from an independent would cost at least $240. That includes an hour’s labour to carry out the oil change, an inspection, and the oil filter itself with the oil.

Many customers worry that they're being taken for a ride by their mechanics, but as often as not there's a reason why the quote for your service is higher than expected. If you're worried that the quote is excessive, obtain another quote and compare notes.

Declaration: in addition to being a contributor to carsales, the author of this advice guide is the co-owner and operator of an independent repair workshop.