According to Adam Courtenay, in his publication at The Sydney Morning Herald, 81% Aussies are afraid of getting ripped off by our mechanic.
This document provides an overview of research that contains customers' major concerns about not being overcharged and important rules to consider regarding car services.
How much does a car service cost?
It is true to say that the total amount you can expect to pay for your car service will depend on a number of factors as for example the mechanic you use, the model and make of your car, and also based on the distance stated on your odometer, is possible to see which type of service your car is requiring. In general, depending on these factors, It can be expected to pay anywhere between $185-$2,225.
Courtenay Adam stated in his article that The NSW Department of Fair Trade has registered 2,240 complaints about automotive services from January 2015 to date.
When the Fairfax, interviewer, asked various industry stakeholders about the problems with auto maintenance and mechanics, the list of potential theft complaints was long and comprehensive, such as:
Janelle Gonzalez: "don't be fooled".
“Local workshops offer discount vouchers, but when we go to the mechanic shop they refuse to work at a low cost. Therefore, they don't replace all the parts they should to make up for the difference in profit", said one respondent.
Another common complaint highlighted in this article was the anticipation of replacements of scheduled parts like badly worn brake pads, replaced "bushings" and "arms" for the suspension and timing belts being replaced at 30,000 kilometers instead of the normal 100,000 kilometer mark.
Others "create repairs out of thin air" to inflate the service charge.
Important tip!
"A dishonest mechanic won't spend a lot of time with you to ask the proper diagnostic questions and won't always have the right diagnostic tools available."
Always ask your mechanic for a test drive to explain what is wrong.
Important to highlight
Based on The Australian Government the Treasury data, there is an Mandatory scheme for the sharing of motor vehicle service and repair information. This scheme would provide a level playing field in the sector and ensure consumers can have their vehicles safely repaired by the repairer of their choice. In developing this scheme, the Government will also carefully consider data access eligibility requirements, such as appropriate skills, training and equipment, to ensure that repairers are able to repair cars safely and securely using this information.
Here is some information about this document:
1. Purpose
1.1.The paper sets out possible key elements of a mandatory scheme for the sharing of motor vehicle service and repair information and the establishment of a Service and Repair Information Sharing Advisory Committee (the Committee). It incorporates feedback the Government has received from previous consultations with stakeholders including vehicle manufacturers, repairers and consumer groups.
1.2.Subject to the outcome of consultation on these elements, the Government intends to implement a scheme in 2019. This implementation would include a further period of public consultation on the full detail of provisions to be included in the scheme.
2. Background
2.1.A genuinely competitive market for motor vehicle service and repair services relies on all repairers having fair access to the information they require to safely repair their customers’ vehicles. This benefits consumers through both increased choice and price competition. 2.2.However, as motor vehicles become increasingly technologically advanced, the information required to safely repair a vehicle increases. Manufacturers of vehicles generally distribute the majority of this information exclusively to their dealership networks, unless they make it available to independent repairers. Safe vehicle service and repair requires sufficient information regarding the vehicle and the expertise to use that information appropriately. 2.3.To help address this issue, the peak industry associations representing manufacturers and independent repairers signed the Agreement on Access to Service and Repair Information for Motor Vehicles (Heads of Agreement) in 2014. The Heads of Agreement sets out several principles designed to ensure fair access to repair information and safe and professional repair of vehicles.
2.4.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published a New Car Retailing Industry Market Study (market study) in December 2017. 1 It found that the Heads of Agreement was ineffective, creating competition barriers and affecting consumers’ choice of repairer.
2.5.The market study recommended a mandatory scheme be introduced for car manufacturers to share technical information with independent repairers, on commercially fair and reasonable terms. The ACCC highlighted that a mandatory scheme should provide independent repairers with access to the same technical information that car manufacturers make available to their own authorised dealers and preferred repairer networks (including environment, safety and security-related information).
2.6.The Government has committed to supporting appropriate commercial dealing and competition in the new car retail supply chain for the benefit of both small businesses and consumers. This includes considering the design of a mandatory scheme for access to motor vehicle service and repair information.
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