Car servicing costs set to rise

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by trublu

All tradies were apprentices once & started from somewhere whether dealer or independent, your comment is ridiculous as I know quite a few good mechanics who originally did their time with dealers.
OBTW I have came across a few apprentices who were hopeless imo who were from independent business, what your comment to this?

I think what Silver Ghia is saying is that you take your car to a dealer who then puts an apprentice on it but charges you full price.

I take my (non Ford) car to an indy, but one who was trained by the manufacturer and has most of the computer gear to solve any problems.

[SumoDog68]

Toyota charges $2000 per year for access to their manuals database - available to accredited repairers .

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I think what Silver Ghia is saying is that you take your car to a dealer who then puts an apprentice on it but charges you full price.

I take my (non Ford) car to an indy, but one who was trained by the manufacturer and has most of the computer gear to solve any problems.

And you think independents don't do this!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by trublu

And you think independents don't do this!

Don't know about yours, but I'm usually walking around the workshop chatting to him so I know mine doesn't.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by ratter

Every car has the service procedure in a book so it is easy to do the correct service, organizations like vacc can also supply service schedules to member workshops, but at the end of the day most will only do what the customer wants to pay for

Yep and if that's the case then the customer has to take responsibility if something goes wrong down the track. But in saying that most customers wouldn't be aware what their car requires and would expect the mechanic to tell them. I have a relative that runs an independent place and he says they dont even bother with the factory schedule and just do the basics. I'm guessing that happens at a lot of places.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by trublu

All tradies were apprentices once & started from somewhere whether dealer or independent, your comment is ridiculous as I know quite a few good mechanics who originally did their time with dealers.
OBTW I have came across a few apprentices who were hopeless imo who were from independent business, what your comment to this?

You generally can't see what happens to your car at the dealers, you aren't allowed in there. Nor talk to whoever worked on your car. Certainly good mechanics were apprentices once, but I object to them learning on my car, unsupervised. My XR50 had its first 3000km "service" done by a junior apprentice (the service manager later admitted this), and he overfilled the battery by a long shot. I found out a few days later when I found battery acid all over the battery and damaged the underside of the bonnet. The engine bay and bonnet undersurface had to be cleaned and repainted. When it came back after repair I had to take the battery etc all out again and clean and neutralise the battery etc. surfaces with bicarb soda and water, they still hadn't done this. I didn't go back to them about it as I wanted to make sure it was done properly and the only way was to do it myself. Its fine now, with the extra coat of paint in the engine bay which is beneficial on FG's, but I was livid at the time. Still am whenever I think about it.

So much for dealer quality servicing.

I now take it to an experienced mechanic who has a main interest in Falcons. Yes he did have an apprentice, he is now qualified and a rwc certifier. Each time I have been there over the last 8 years or so they have been working together. The main point being I can chat to these guys and get a good feeling they are enthusiasts and know their stuff.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Don't know about yours, but I'm usually walking around the workshop chatting to him so I know mine doesn't.

Bit of a cop out answer don't you think, yea my mechanic is ok too but in the meantime when searching for a decent mechanic I across quite a few shifty independents, no different to some dealers.

What I'm saying to you & silver Ghia is don't tar everyone with the same brush.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by trublu

Bit of a cop out answer don't you think, yea my mechanic is ok too but in the meantime when searching for a decent mechanic I across quite a few shifty independents, no different to some dealers.

What I'm saying to you & silver Ghia is don't tar everyone with the same brush.

From where I stand it was no cop out and at no time did I 'tar everyone'.
I pointed out my experience with Indy's or Owner operated garages.

In the city there may be Indy's that employ quite a number of employees.
However I can only speak of my experience here in a country town where most garages are run by 2/3 maybe 4 people.

And being a country town if anyone stuffs up word usually gets around.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by trublu

What I'm saying to you & silver Ghia is don't tar everyone with the same brush.

Oh yeah, there are certainly some mechanics in my town I would never go to. But I can pick those out just by looking at their workshop, the cars there, and their attitude.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Oh yeah, there are certainly some mechanics in my town I would never go to. But I can pick those out just by looking at their workshop, the cars there, and their attitude.

Oh yea, I can send you to some work shops that look great, pleasant to talk to & they will still rip you off, looks does not help at times.

Word of mouth in the trade is your best friend when selecting, even Gasolane last comment is true.

And being a country town if anyone stuffs up word usually gets around.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by trublu

Word of mouth in the trade is your best friend when selecting, even Gasolane last comment is true.

True.

But even so, I have had work done at places where recommended by those who should know, but gone away very disappointed.

Talking in detail about the job with the guy working on the car, and seeing examples of his work, I have found is the best way to find out about whether I can trust him.

Dealers you would never get any of that. You just get some young guy most likely someone still learning, who has been allocated to your car.

The only sure way to ensure its done properly? Do it myself. But sometimes for various reasons I need to get some things done elsewhere.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

But even so, I have had work done at places where recommended by those who should know, but gone away very disappointed.

I know how you feel, I think we all have experienced this at one time or another, unfortunately no business is 100% perfect.

Cheers

[ute83]

Originally Posted by trublu

I know how you feel, I think we all have experienced this at one time or another, unfortunately no business is 100% perfect.

Cheers

Then these businesses should charge accordingly.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by ute83

Then these businesses should charge accordingly.

Because all the equipment they have bought, the rent, taxes and utilities they pay are much more cheap when the apprentice does the work.

[johnydep]

Motor industry getting involved - http://www.mta-sa.asn.au/wcm/MTA/New...greement_.aspx

http://www.mta-sa.asn.au/wcm/MTA/New...nd_repair.aspx

MTA supports national body's call for unity over the issue of access to vehicle service and repair information

South Australia’s peak retail automotive body, the Motor Trade Association of South Australia has echoed its national association, the Australian Motor Industry Federation (AMIF) in urging all sections of the Australian motor industry to unite in relation to the current debate on access to vehicle repair and service information and agree on a sensible way forward.

MTA-SA CEO Paul Unerkov said that all stakeholders have a part to play in ensuring that a pathway can be found to meet consumer demands.

“With more than 17.6 million motor vehicles across Australia, of which 1.3 million are in South Australia, both dealers and independent repairers are increasingly needed to meet consumers’ repair and servicing demands,” Paul Unerkov said.

“It is critical for all people involved in the retail automotive sector that there is an industry-led solution to providing access to repair information.

“And that industry-led solution needs to acknowledge the proprietorship of this information,” he said.

AMIF first addressed this issue with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry (FCAI), the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), and other key stakeholders in September 2011 and since then, AMIF doggedly pursued an industry-led solution.

This issue is not without its complexities and given there are many stakeholders involved, securing agreement all round has not been easy.

However, MTA-SA through AMIF, will continue to pursue this matter to ensure that consumers have choice, that manufacturers receive fair and reasonable payment for the information and that independent repairers, who seek the information, have access to the equipment, training and skills to repair and service vehicles appropriately and safely.

“All stakeholders must now come together and find a solution, otherwise a solution may be imposed on the sector which may have lasting unintended impacts that no-one wants,” Paul Unerkov said.

Australian Motor Industry Federation says sign access to service and repair agreement

The Australian Motor Industry Federation today urged all sectors of the Australian Automotive Industry to unite and agree on tabled solutions to the current debate on guaranteeing access to motor vehicle repair information.

AMIF said various peak automotive and motoring organisations had come a long way in securing an agreement to enable industry to identify a solution and it was time to sign up and get on with its implementation.

“For months, all parts of the industry have been grappling with identifying a solution to ensure access to service and repair information so that Australian consumers can confidently exercise their right to choose who maintains their motor vehicle, “ AMIF CEO Richard Dudley said.

Mr Dudley said all parties agreed that while the Federal Government review concluded there was no market failure and no need for government intervention in the form of legislation or regulation; there was a need to provide assurance to Australian motorists that they could be confident when choosing their repairer or service provider that they were trained, equipped and had the necessary access to information to perform the required service or repair.

‘The difficulty has been ensuring there are adequate protections and recognition of the interests for the myriad of automotive sectors involved in selling, servicing and repairing motor vehicles.
‘All peak associations have developed a draft set of principles which all would have to abide by if they sign up to them. Each signatory organisation would then be required to develop and implement a code of conduct to ensure the principles were being met within their own constituency. The agreement also provides for dispute resolution, through mediation, if complaints arise in the application of the agreement.

AMIF, which has been heavily involved in the proposed industry response and drafting of the principles says the time for discussion is over and all parties should now sign the agreement and get on with its implementation.

Contact: Richard Dudley
CEO AMIF
0412 146 828

[Rob1964]

Getting back to the "throw away society" refering to the way cars are heading
do you think it would be possible to keep an FG Falcon for decades? I've wondered
whether it is a matter of swapping out the ICC unit if computer gremlins crept in,
i have seen these units sitting on shelves second hand, surely if there is a market
for keeping ie FPV cars alive into the future someone will sell knock off units if the
factory doesnt! Thoughts guys?