Even though I had pushed the customer three separate times to let us confirm the issue first, this was still very difficult for us. As our vehicles have become more complex, the tools needed for diagnosing them have become more complex and expensive, and so has the training on how to use them. Mechanic's garage nearby charges $130 to diagnose a check - Reddit How long does it take to get car diagnostic test? - Auto Blog Garage That inclides many of the authorised dealers. The process is much faster than tracing a fault by mechanically dismantling the vehicle. If so, option #1 may work. Why do mechanics charge for diagnostic? Car mechanics are greedy, evil, douchebags that overcharge for everything and generally lie thru their teeth. While expensive, it could minimize the technicians time in diagnostics and reduce the cost for the consumer. With 18 years of experience, Im hardly a grizzled veteran of the automotive trade. "We need to do a better job helping our customers understand that. With many same-day appointments available, our easy to use tyre guide will help you find the right tyres for your vehicle. Do I Need to Pay a Mechanic Who Didn't Fix Anything? Talk directly to the mechanic to be clear about the original problem and what is still happening. Question: What kind of diagnostics does AutoZone do? Sometimes there is one sensor monitoring an entire circuit that consists of many different components and other times there are a number of sensors monitoring each part of a circuit. He wouldn't even charge to use the 4 post lift, which would cost a bit more than a diag box. A garage can charge you for diagnosing a fault with your car. And while the vast majority of those in the automotive aftermarket agree that the diag. Communication is key when explaining the charges, says Guido, who advocates breaking the charge down to explain everything that goes into a diagnostic reading, including what the technician had to learn to be able to run the scan, how many hours it took to research the problem online after obtaining a code and what equipment went into doing each part of the job. What does an engine diagnostic test do? - Auto Blog Garage If so, then youre dealing with a major problem and your car needs service without delay. The issue could be anything from a loose gas cap to something more serious, like a misfiring engine. A diagnostic can reveal developing faults as well as any that are already a problem. For Scenario 1, if the problem is obvious, there is no diagnostic fee. They charged me $40 - they claim the 30 part covers the expensive cost of the diagnostic equipment they use - seems fair enough. The system we have at work cost the thick end of 7 grand,plus we pay for updates each year,and even with that we can't read everything on every car.If a garage can afford to they will run 2 or 3 or even more different systems to try and cover everything but even then there will still be holes in their ability to read a certain car/model/system/engine etc.I would also say that a lot of the time these systems do not tell you exactly what is wrong with the car,they are not magic!.Diagnostic work is more than just plugging a computer in and it telling you where the fault is. "It's a slap in the face of the technician if you don't compensate him for his diagnostic time," Guido says. Sometimes the problem can be found very quickly; other times, it can literally take days to determine exactly what is causing the problem, especially if its intermittent. Witt says that many consumers are turned off by the term diagnostics simply because they think the advanced testing doesn't work. Looking back, there are certainly workdays that I wont forget, and this post is partially inspired by one of them. In order to correct the issue, she asked us to replace her ignition switch. However, a flashing light is different than a check engine light that is simply illuminated. Garages exist to make money, just as parts stores exist to sell parts. And with the switch replaced, in a situation that weve sadly grown to expect, the car still didnt start. Automotive diagnostic charges and inspection fees. Is it something you Thank you again for a well written,informative article to help explain to the vehicle owner and shop owner the importance of the proper tools and training. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. We just charge for the repair. Of course, it also makes the headlight circuit a lot more difficult to test! How long does a car diagnostic test take? Proper diagnosis is always necessary to determine what is causing the problem with your vehicle. Cheap ones dont do much more than interpret dashboard error codes but Protyres qualified fitters use equipment capable of reporting sophisticated performance details and even service histories. They are so expensive because car system Manufacturers charge to license the software for their brake, fuel injection, air bag, etc. The fact is most of the technology is developed under grants from the department of the interior so we already paid for the work that created the technology. Best Waitits2015 5 yr. ago Most places will charge a diagnostic fee, usually about 1-1.5 hrs of labor - meaning $130 is in the ballpark. Thanks to the computerization of cars, with their microchips, sensors and processors, diagnostic testing is no longer expensive and time-consuming. Copyright 2019 My Garage Auto & Tire Inc. I can identify several main reasons: The lady mentioned in the Ford Escape example above was a first-time customer of ours, and so a lack of trust (which is something that we usually earn over time) was a contributing factor to her refusing the diagnosis. For instance take an RStuner - it will function perfectly well as a code reader etc - but a snap on unit lets you switch of faults / reset codes. But you have to charge for each layer of diagnostics and you have to make your customer understand that each of these layers represents the increasing difficulty of the problem being diagnosed and the increasing skill of the technician doing the diagnosis. Do garages charge for diagnostics? A flashing check engine light spells trouble. Absolutely awesome article! "The common way that techs are paid is for what they produce," says George Witt, owner of George Witt Service, Inc. in Lincoln, Neb. Its us taking a small hit because for our team, wed much rather see your money go towards actually repairing your vehicle. Everything from your engine, transmission and exhaust system to brakes, coolant and performance issues. Just unplug the computer; insert the appropriate connector; input the vehicle VIN and the device replicates the computer. Its FREE! Get a written estimate. People on here talk about all kinds of different diagnostics setups ranging in price. A diagnostic test can reveal all kinds of problems that could be manifesting in many parts of your car. Specialized software can quickly point to a problem area anywhere in your car. many customers balk at paying diagnostics fees, especially when it comes to trouble codes. Why Do Repair Shops Charge Diagnostic Fees? - All About Automotive Free Check Engine Light Diagnostic Testing | O'Reilly Auto Parts So a diagnostic fee is simply the fee paid in order to understand the "why" behind an issue. Top 5 Best Car Gadgets And Accessories For The Ultimate Road First, they will scan for DTCs and verify any drivability complaints. There is no question medical training is much more extensive, and the diagnostic equipment is much more expensive, but the need to charge for a diagnosis is much the same. The list goes on and on. They would diagnose your broken arm, most likely with an x-ray, which you would be charged for on top of what you pay for the setting and casting of your broken arm. If it only took 5 mins, you hardly inconvienienced them did you. A colleague of mine recently visited an independent repair shop that was using factory scan tools and programming equipment for each of the models they worked on and they had already invested over $150,000. - i'm pretty sure that's what it says in the description, that you can 'cancel' fault codes. So when we recommend paying for a diagnosis, its not a money grab or an up-sell. I took my car to my local garage recently for diagnostics. Dealership garages may carry a higher charge than an independent garage, however, the only way to find out how much a diagnostic will cost for you, is by using WhoCanFixMyCar! Your car contains hundreds of sensors and over 1500 wires totaling more than 1.5 kilometres in length, with 20-30 computers that communicate with each other on different high speed networks. iff0GP I value the article post.Thanks Again. For Scenarios 2-5, there is a $45 fee for desktops, or $65 for laptops. "I advocate never using the word 'diagnostics' when talking with your customers. Why do garages charge so much for diagnostics?? "Am I working when I'm doing diagnostics?" Completing the diagnosis usually requires access to: Luckily, well rent you all three of those items for a very fair price! Jun 6, 2014 I took my car to my local garage recently for diagnostics. Take the time to explain things to your customer hurrying is often one of the biggest problems that comes up when explaining diagnostic charges.". "After that, the charge just requires an honest, straightforward explanation. Vat No : GB 876 3353 94. You have to let your customers know what is going on so that they can make an informed decision about their vehicle's repair.". To get the right answer for your problem it involves using expensive equipment and knowledge gained from schooling, classes, or years spent fixing cars. In the course of the day, an automotive service shop like ours carries out different types of work, including: Based solely on time spent vs dollars charged to the client, repairs (parts replacements) are probably the most profitable type of work we do. Her view was that her research of the starting issue had to be correct, and the $150 diagnostic fee was just an attempt to pad her repair bill. But why should all the other customers who don't need this service, pay as part of a labour rate? Usually, a technician can figure this out quickly, however, there are times when it can take hours to figure out whats wrong. How much should your check engine diagnostic sell for? [news] Monday 8th November 2010 Hi all, So your garage or mechanic has a diagnostic reader. Customers should know that figuring out why an issue is occurring takes far more time, training, and experience than simply seeing an issue's symptoms. ", Mattinat agrees: "You have to pay for software updates for your scanners all the time. But on the flip side if they didn't charge for diagnostics they would spend all day checking out faults and make no money as most people want to do the job themselves where possible. explain that one please! In the end, if your check engine light comes on, its best to heed the age-old adviceits better to be safe than sorry. I have well over 100k invested and that doesn't even include countless hours in classrooms across the country just keeping up. The parts guy comes out to your car as if they have this magical device that will let you know everything thats wrong with your car, ready to sell you whatever is on the top of the list of possible problems with your car. Also, each vehicle software update must be purchased from the manufacturer, either as part of a subscription or on a case by case basis. Fans of The Big Bang Theory will know that Penny's check-engine-light was an ever-present feature of her car, but do you know what to do if the dreaded light appears on your own dashboard? What they fail to educate their customer on is that these are merely possible cures to their issues and not guaranteed solutions. Repairs (replacement of worn/broken parts.). That means that when a client comes in asking us to replace a part, and we suggest a diagnosis instead, were actually trading our most profitable type of work for our least! If you continue to drive youll risk serious and expensive damage to your engine. Required fields are marked *. And if the x-ray came back negative, and your arm wasnt actually broken, you would still pay for the x-ray, just like you should have to pay for diagnostics on your car, even if they dont end up pinpointing the problem with the first round of diagnoses. All rights reserved. All of a sudden, I had a customer crying absolutely sobbing at my office counter. These days, most shops will charge for diagnosing what is wrong with your car. However, an illuminated check engine light could also be a huge red flag being waved right in front of your face warning you of a more serious problem. However, whether the diagnostic costs are covered by your warranty will depend on the terms and conditions of the agreement. Nobody says to their doctor, I dont want to do the MRI; just remove my kidney.. But it is a good starting point. Does 'cancel' not mean 'switch off' or 'reset' ? I have full VAG-COM and a cable, will do it for beer tokens for anyone in MK FFS what's difficult to understand, they are charging for the diagnostic separately but depending on how they break down the bill they could easily hide the charge back in again the bill won't go down if they stop charging for diagnostics, the hourly rate will creep up as will the consumables. A bit like all of us being rich and leisurely and doing 2 hours work a week like they said computers would do for us back in the 60's. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. After gathering all of the preliminary data, the technician will pull up wiring diagrams and check tech forums (both of these come from costly monthly subscription services that most shops/technicians pay for) and come up with a logical flow chart for testing the circuit. And you have to buy the software for every make and model that you service. The initial exam and tests have a charge associated with them, whether they are blood tests, biopsies, x-rays or scans. If the customer decides not to fix the laptop, they usually dont care about putting it back together anyway, so theres usually no extra charge. I took my car to my local garage recently for diagnostics. Take your car to a certified professional for a proper diagnosis. Can a garage charge for diagnostic work? - The Motor Ombudsman The question on most peoples mind is, Why do I have to pay someone to tell me what is wrong with my car when I already know what it is? Well, in most cases, the customer actually doesnt know what is wrong with the car. JR. gMWKTx I think this is a real great blog post.Really thank you! Ill outline some common situations and how we handle them. What's a fair mechanic diagnostic fee There are literally hundreds of these trouble codes, each one with the ability to trigger your check engine light. Awesome. I am a technician for over 30 years and am amazed at the fact the consumers just dont get it. The more sensors on a circuit means the more accurate the code will be to narrowing down your issue. The cost will depend on a number of factors including the type of car and garage. Most folks have no idea what a complicated piece of equipment theyre driving. Can I keep any parts that have been removed from my car during a service or repair? Stay tuned to our blog where in the future, where well break down some specific diagnostic examples and show you exactly what we did to pinpoint the issues. If you were to go to the hospital with a broken arm, which you had diagnosed yourself, they would not simply put your arm in a cast and send you home. Scan tools communicate with the onboard computers and a programing interface is used to update their programming. What if I cant afford to pay for repairs done on my car? Remember that the longer you drive with a fault present in your vehicle, the worse it is likely to get, which generally equates to a higher repair bill. It's more accurate to compare us to plumbers and electricians, but those guys make more money than we do. While it may sound like Jim on the Ford Escape Enthusiasts forum is experiencing the same starting issue as you, the truth is that most vehicle problems have dozens of potential causes and yours may be totally different than his. Diagnostic Fees at the Dealership: Everything You Need To Know Some of these sensors tell your Engine Control Module (ECM) if a different air to fuel ratio is needed for the current driving condition or if a certain system isnt performing within the required specifications. We have all had it happen to us. The first type is "Diagnostic" where there is an issue and something has to be intellectually figured out with testing. In the eyes of some car owners, diagnostic fee and diagnosis are dirty words these days to the point where some shops avoid these words entirely and prefer to charge for testing or inspection time. What does a vehicle diagnostic test tell you? At this point, we wanted to make sure the customer understood the risks of what they were asking us to do. Fault codes must be diagnosed to determine the actual cause of the problem. We provided an estimate for the switch replacement (which was about a $550 repair) and explained that theyd be responsible to pay that full amount, even if the new switch did not fix their car. How do I submit a case to The Motor Ombudsman. How to charge for diagnostics | Vehicle Service Pros