Servicing Cost Comparison

[ByfordBlade]

My VE SS is due its 15k service and I rang one dealer close to Perth City this morning to book it in but the timing didn't suit. I rang another dealer and it will be done on Thursday. I was a bit interested in the fact that I asked both what the damage would be and there was a $70 difference (I'm paying more on Thursday but it doesn't bother me as I'm getting the service done in a timeframe that works for me).

Out of interest, what are people paying at different dealers across Australia and should there be a difference between dealers given they are using same parts, oils, etc?

[cashie]

I always shop around and get my local dealer to match the best price.... Makes me think I am in Singapore sometimes...

[Mozz]

Or you could use a non dealer forum sponsor to get the service done :)

[ByfordBlade]

Or you could use a non dealer forum sponsor to get the service done :)

That is an option I suppose but I prefer to stick to the manufacturer during warranty period as it is a lot less hassle when something needs replacing (well, I get to argue with Holden directly rather than via a third party business).

[SUPERH2377]

That is an option I suppose but I prefer to stick to the manufacturer during warranty period as it is a lot less hassle when something needs replacing (well, I get to argue with Holden directly rather than via a third party business).

they have differrent price structures 1= public 2= fleet 3= holden staff discount

[ryno]

I can't understand why there is such a difference between dealerships on a 15000km service.

As far as parts, they should be using the same oil (mobil1 for SS) and a genuine oil filter. Which would cost approx $120-$130 for the oil (takes 8 litres) and $15 for an oil filter.

As for labour there is a alotted timeframe for the service I think it is 1.2 Hours, so even if the dealer charges $100 per hour labour you should be looking at;

Parts - $142
Labour - $120
Total - $265.

The quotes I received for my 15,000km service ranged from $340 - $370..

I still can't work it out, no wonder people get confused and annoyed.

[Bacon]

I can't understand why there is such a difference between dealerships on a 15000km service.

As far as parts, they should be using the same oil (mobil1 for SS) and a genuine oil filter. Which would cost approx $120-$130 for the oil (takes 8 litres) and $15 for an oil filter.

As for labour there is a alotted timeframe for the service I think it is 1.2 Hours, so even if the dealer charges $100 per hour labour you should be looking at;

Parts - $142
Labour - $120
Total - $265.

The quotes I received for my 15,000km service ranged from $340 - $370..

I still can't work it out, no wonder people get confused and annoyed.

Have you taken into account environmental levys, oil disposal, etc
Been a long time since Ive had a dealer service. Just get a good workshop to do it for half the price :)

[EXCESSV]

That is an option I suppose but I prefer to stick to the manufacturer during warranty period as it is a lot less hassle when something needs replacing (well, I get to argue with Holden directly rather than via a third party business).just because u service the car with a dealer doesnt mean they will be nicer to u during warranty claims as its also up to holden themselves to approve or disapprove a warranty claim.

and u cant claim warranty from a third party anyway still have to go to holden

at least with a forum sponsor or a trusted mechanic u know ur getting the best service without getting ur car "test driven" by the apprentice like the many stories heard here and even about dealers in WA...

oh and the prices are alot more respectable too

near on $400 for a minor 15,000km service is an absolute rip off!

[ryno]

Have you taken into account environmental levys, oil disposal, etc
Been a long time since Ive had a dealer service. Just get a good workshop to do it for half the price :)

Environmental levies etc don't cost $100 but eitherway all workshops have to pay for disposal etc so whether it was done at a dealer or a independent mechanic youwould still pay.

I would be curious to hear from a dealers perspective why there can be a considerable difference between dealers. Not having a go, just am curious to know why there is a difference.

Its like my Holden floor mats. There was a $40 difference between dealers - why? It is the same bloody part..

[EXCESSV]

I would be curious to hear from a dealers perspective why there can be a considerable difference between dealers. Not having a go, just am curious to know why there is a difference.its with all dealers of all car makers mate.

gf called her normal service dealer to get her little Ford Focus serviced...minor service.
they quoted her $600!!!!
after she rang around it was $240 at another Ford dealer.....
Its like my Holden floor mats. There was a $40 difference between dealers - why? It is the same bloody part..some will charge u RRP, some will charge u trade price. depends on who u know and what dealer really

also to confuse things most dealers are dealerships....some are distributors so they get the parts at list price from holden and then add there margin and sell to the dealerships.
from the outside they look the same...but internally they are different

[sixlta]

Its all a big scam, Our family owns a mitsubishi dealership in the country, (vic), I have a family friend that just had a service done on her Outlander down in melbourne and was hit with a bill for $845 for a 80k service,
Rang the family shop and they said that it should be no more than $280,

What do ya do, its just life, People are greedy, And when a dealer gets away with it a few times, they just keep going,

[VESS60]

15k service......$186, would have been $270 with their magnatec. I supplied Mobil 1 oil. 9.5 litres by memory.

30k service......$370, they supplied Mobil 1 this time as I couldnt get the right one the day before from Motormate.

Whether they supply the Mobil 1 synthetic oil or not, it works out at the same price. Its just that I dont mind supplying the 2 X 5 Litre bottles and having the extra half a litre left over for top ups if needed.

Both services would have worked out nearly the same if they were both supplied the oil from me or if they supplied it both times.

I can understand different dealerships having different overheads, but when it comes to handbook servicing there should be a fixed price, at least until the warranty period is over. That way the dealers have to rely on GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE (you like that dave) to get us to go there and not under cut the dealerships that are trying to overcharge us.

Maybe cost of living in Perth is higher than in SA as well. Too many Millionaires over there. Holdens probably know this and will gladly bend you over and charge you handsomely for it.

[macca33]

The variances is disconcerting at times and mentioning the letters HSV can also make a difference. Why does Holden/HSV not offer fixed-price servicing for all their vehicles? Other mobs do.

FWIW, my missus gets her 2005 Magna serviced at our local Mitsu dealer in Warragul, as it is a lease car and she needs the courtesy car when it is being done. Their customer service (especially) and pricing is very, very good - no service, up to 115k's has been over $300. They even turned out to my place to start my car after I returned home last time and the battery had gone flat - NO charge and within 20 minutes of the call. :bow: Personal interaction and the development of a good relationship can be a good thing, in many facets of life. Maybe country mobs do it a lot better than the city slickers...:hide:

Cheers,

Macca

[TUFFVESSV]

I wanted the first service for my SSV done at holden (even though i'm a mechanic) I phoned the dealership the week before and asked what they charged an hour ...$99. then I phoned spares asked for price of oil filter...$21.99 (I supplied my own synthetic oil, I didnt want the mineral oil they supplied) so when I dropped it off I asked how much it was going to cost , the service manager told me $280.45 if I supplied my own oil.
So when I returned I asked to see the invoice ...1.1 hr's labour..say $110 and an oil filter $21.99 so I told him I'd give him a check for $132.00 he say's they also put wipper blades so I agree to the $16.00 extra.

The service manager say's "so that's $280.00 for today" so I tell him "1.1 hrs labour 1 oil filter and a set of wipper blades do not add up to $280.00" then I gave him a cheque for $148.00"
He looks at the cheque and say's O.K that seems Fair....????????????WTF

The Owner of that dealership is one of our clients when we told him about it he said oh yeah they have a target to reach for their monthly bonus...he must have been a bit short this month!.

So check your service book first and question the bill if it seems excessive!

[VESS60]

I wanted the first service for my SSV done at holden (even though i'm a mechanic) I phoned the dealership the week before and asked what they charged an hour ...$99. then I phoned spares asked for price of oil filter...$21.99 (I supplied my own synthetic oil, I didnt want the mineral oil they supplied) so when I dropped it off I asked how much it was going to cost , the service manager told me $280.45 if I supplied my own oil.
So when I returned I asked to see the invoice ...1.1 hr's labour..say $110 and an oil filter $21.99 so I told him I'd give him a check for $132.00 he say's they also put wipper blades so I agree to the $16.00 extra.

The service manager say's "so that's $280.00 for today" so I tell him "1.1 hrs labour 1 oil filter and a set of wipper blades do not add up to $280.00" then I gave him a cheque for $148.00"
He looks at the cheque and say's O.K that seems Fair....????????????WTF

The Owner of that dealership is one of our clients when we told him about it he said oh yeah they have a target to reach for their monthly bonus...he must have been a bit short this month!.

So check your service book first and question the bill if it seems excessive!

Seems as though theyre all in on ripping us off, from the top all the way down. Rip-off bastards.

So you paid no GST then? And theres normally a $12 miscellaneous charge as well for waste disposal and workshop supplies.
You got a good deal though.

How long is the $30k service supposed to take? I just got it done so dont have the slip, as they tear it off. Any chance someone could scan the page and post it up here. Thanks.