Thread: $600 for an oil change?

Originally Posted by Jt89

Any service worth paying for they should be also doing a once over inspection for condition and function - brake pads, wipers, air filter condition etc. Labour costs are a small way to make money, selling parts is much more reliable. The markup on oils, filters etc is staggering, never mind other parts. I can source quality engine oil and genuine filters for a suzuki escudo at cost price and it's only about $75 - retail that would be nearly double. Any mechanic worth using to do a service should not only be checking for ways to make himself a little extra but giving the customer a list of things he's had a look at for their piece of mind. A little effort taken to whip the wheels off and grease your brake caliper slides looks like going the extra mile on an invoice for 4 hours of labour plus a service kit.

I've serviced my own cars, and I've paid for servicing for multiple cars. If I sent a vehicle in for a service and all they did was splash oil and spin a filter I'd never pay a cent - that takes 15 minutes in my driveway with a set of ramps and every mechanic has a hoist, even faster for them. The way I see it, I'm paying you to do a decent job because I don't have the time.

"Brake caliper slides" thats a great detail as no oone really does this. If I do ustilise a mechanic I get someone who knows the cars I have eg older Jap. A good mechanic is worth gold, esp if they pay attenetion to all those small service details.