I've weeded out the deadbeats & we have a group of customers that have already been through the dealer wars & are glad to have someone competent working on their MB. I just need you to put a new thermostat in." If you have a car past 2010, don't mess around. When I complained about the $100 dollar she said
And for the repair, they have to check with warranty to see if it covers. Do Dealerships now just plop your battery in and that's it. My guess is not very many. Is that normal? That's more like a $126 incompetence fee. Upon arrival, he diagnosed the stove, couldn't repair it. It was the case with this transmission issue. I took the car back to the garage (main dealer, but second hand and under warranty - 06 plate) and they stated that they would charge a diagnostic fee - even though it's under warranty. How about the two hours I spent figuring out what was wrong with their piece of crap computer, that they were too cheap to replace. repacing perfectly good parts for no reason and costing the customer extra money they do not need to spend. Instead of the $1260 that he paid. Prior to getting a warranty through CarMax, your check engine and temperature warning lights should be off. Ford: "There is a $91 diagnosis fee.". I would be charged 80 dallaors. A tech's education is never-ending! I know that because of the diagnostics that were done. I am upset cause if they would have properly diagnosed my car first time which was day before it wouldn't be a issue but they gave me paper work saying my car was fine. Lets be conservative and say that puts MY COST at $65/hour. Let them diagnose it. Me: "I'm not paying for a dianogisis because I know what I want done, just put the thermostat in and I'll pay for the service and parts for that... just DO THAT.". TSB's aren't free. Aftermarket warranties sometimes require you to pay the diagnostic fees. But let it be known first upfront that there is a half hour, (.5) Minimum Diagnostic Charge that will have to be paid weather the problem is found or not. It seems to me that majority of the repair men want to transfer all the risks to the customers. He said it would take another tech an hour of messing around with stuff to find a problem that it would take him 5 minutes to find. My advice is find a place with a quick $50 scanner, go home do some research and then find a shop and first thing you should ask the owner is if customer are allowed to be present in the garage during the repair. They are more than glad to pay for the diagnostic fee then. BTW where do you work, I'd like you to use your skills, equipment, and experience but not charge me anything. Why should they bother to do the hard work if they expect to get $90 for an incomplete diagnosis anyway? Dealership service bays are some of the worst about bogus charges and unnecessary part replacements, but the bottom line is that most service locations will put the guy on a job that is minimally qualified and "hope" he does a passable job on your car. By using this site, you agree to these terms: Should You Have to Pay for Diagnostic Fees. If a problem can't be found in an hour (common with electrical) that doesn't mean the tech shouldn't be paid. Many years ago, when I was young and starting out, I would repair computers. This comment is to the idiotic person who stated that you should be allowed to stand and watch a mechanic in the shop. They will already have the door apart. How long it takes for you to figure out the problem and fix it, should be dependent on your expertise. We pay experts for their time, training, and the skills they have acquiredâno results are guaranteed. Copay options: $0, $100, $200. Jump from shop to shop for the freebies and coupons and you've got more patience and time on your hands than most.. Best of luck. No one should have to work for free. i authorized the diagnostic test but not the repair. In reality, it is less expensive to pay for a proper diagnosis than it is to replace car parts based on what might be failing … I EXPECT YOU TO STAND BEHIND YOUR WORK! The rep called me to authorize another 160 bucks worth of diagnostics. Please follow me Repair Pal on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Autodude46 -The Autodude-. Well I recently went to a dealership to fix a problem that didn't get fixed. Now my question is what should I do, should I just pay initial diagnosis charge $100 and still not knowing/fixing problem or just go ahead with wild guess and change distributor or cam valve as they suggest. I had many friends who were mechanics and all of them talked about the shady stuff they did to customers and the lies they told them. Mechanics don't work for free; unless you're my loyal customer. Is it still under bumper to bumper warranty? Our hourly is $70/hr, half hour minimum. Saves them time and money to have you do the repair right when they diagnose it. That with a little rust clean up amounted to a $237 bill for a gas cap. If so then I am paying double. Comparing good technicians to doctors? Cookies help us deliver our Services. It took exactly 10 minutes. Check engine light on, hard engine start, throttling, smoke coming out back. You saved yourself a diagnosis fee, but telling what the problem is instead usually backfires. If you don't have the right tool, don't get into the car business. What part do you bolt in now? I had an issue with my wipers. I was stupid. A $5 to you is a $30 to them. No secret here! He says there's an air leak, upper and lower intake gasket need to be replaced(900 dollar job. Most mechanics are useless because they dropped out of school and need to get dirty to make money. Cars are a scam. (1.0)plus labor to fix and part mark up for the part. It's the same with a mechanic, is our vehicles not our babies? * Inexpensive extended warranties. Diagnostic fees are okay, but should be waived if you go ahead and have the repair done at the shop where the diagnosis was made. I love it! They're not going to pay for a button that stopped working when they discover you had a remote start installed at Best Buy that interrupted the circuit, or your kid jammed a grilled cheese sandwich in your dvd player. Add fuel. I spent over 28 years Diagnosing Driveability Problems. Dropped the car off next day. I agree if you go in for a check engine light and they say loose gas cap and it wasn't that, I'd have them do another diagnostic and tell them I'm not paying for it, and I myself am a mechanic, because that tells me they didn't look into the problem properly the first time and gave you bogus information, a potential lawsuit worthy mistake in the medical world. The moral is that a trustworthy mechanic still has a range of procedures that he has done a hundred times and is competent at. The beautiful part about all of this--customers can go whereever they want--go to the place that meets your needs and stay with them. These cars are insanely complicated. Just had a customer come in because defrost would not blow air out of top of dash, only vents and floor. Better you hate them for not running their business the way YOU want them to than you trashing them for charging you and the problem not being fixed. You want the work and business, complete the diagnostic then tell me whats wrong with my car and give me a quote. If it is worth ok. My 2014 Nissan Note Tekna has developed a nasty suspension creaking sound. They will tell you they didn't diagnose anything, they just did what you asked; then you will yell and scream and get your way telling them that they are the experts and they shouldn't have listened to you, you don't fix cars! If everything is found to be under warranty, then you don't actually pay the diagnostic. The key here is that as someone who is not a mechanic, I didn't know what the problem was - hence I eventually took it into the dealership. Certain parts stores will read your codes for free, but many of those doing the scanning do well to know how to plug the scanner in much less make an semi-accurate diagnosis as to what exactly is causing the code and what it will take to correct it properly. This in my mind would be fair as to why I'm paying for a diagnostic. Then it's fine to bill the customer for the time you used if they declined the repair. With exception of defect on seatbelt and recall on my brake booster. I know these tiny random problems are hard to diagnosis. Have an answer or just a good tip? I created an account specifically so that I could thank everyone for the helpful comments. They go to the super-smart internet and figure out what it needs. To me it seems that they don't want to take the trouble to investigate what is blocking the information flow from the other sensors getting to the onboard computer. Her answer was that if the light was on before, there is something wrong and it could be something really bad she said. I did get in touch with someone and the only info he gave me is I will owe the diagnostic charge. **For years I have had friends and family who need advise for automobile(not to mention home & households)repairs**Yet we all know how expensive everything is now days**Personally I have been doing just that for them**Now its gotten to be an "Awe hell" just call him he will do it for free or almost nothing**Just sound pitiful and he will be like putty in your hands**Well I'm sure there are some other mechanics out there who have gone thru this plenty of times before**Yet we all can't be "Ol Saint Nick" year round**I can understand how tight money can be at times but for those penny pinchers that always pretend to be broke is the kind we all know to stay away from(friends or family)**Yet they have enough dough to feed the world**Some people just don't get it when it comes to**Quality Service**over**Guessing**what a problem might just be**Even though a Pro can tell you a probable for those who are uncertain or afraid to pay for something they know very little or nothing about is the key**The average joe/josie has to depend on someone other than local part stores for trouble shooting or DTC's**Unless you have some kind of knowledge(or money to throw away)about problems that can occur on your vehicle try to be a bit more considerate and not bite the wrench who knows better**Finding a Mr. Goodwrench may not easy for some people but you gotta trust somebody**Always remember**There is always going to be a complainer in some way or some how**We all know who he/she is and at times like these its not worth fixing them up at all**If I could collect from all the iou's I have done thru the years I'd have a fortune**Let's face it**Just Pay The Man or Woman**There are Warranties out there as well as Mechanic Thieves**So be aware of the Good**The Bad**& The Ugly**Do some homework(references/cost)and things will get easier to understand for all those concerned**, Ok! Transmission had 150k miles on it, so I gave him the option of rebuilding the valve body with the 2 most heavily "used" solenoids, or going with a brand new valve body ($350 difference between the 2 options). Now, I'm not accusing the transmission shop of charging for work they wouldn't have performed, but like a dealership, they are quick to recommend the procedure that stands the best chance of (1) working, and (2) making them a bunch of money. In my opinion that is a breach of our agreement and I should not have to pay. $196!!! It's a combination of you took up a professional's time where it could have gone elsewhere and were given information to fix the problem. It has been at the shop for 10 days and I … 125,000 miles cost $4250. So I payed and left. Conversely, I believe that the customer should be charged for diagnostics when you use a scanner that costs $10,000.00, takes twenty minutes to set up and calibrate and can test 4273 different processes on your vehicle. People would be appalled that I would charge so much money (whatever it was at the time) to diagnose and fix and issue - I mean the solder was worth probably 5 cents and the act of soldering it took maybe 5 minutes - shouldn't they just pay for that time? The manic calls me saying they need more time to figure out whats going on and more time equals more money. Me: "Hmm, maybe we're not speaking the same language. Warranty work doesn't always include diagnostic fees. Not all mechanics do this, but the majority does. MOST PEOPLE ARE OK AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT SURPRISED WITH THE BILL WHEN YOU ARE DONE THEY SHOULD ALREADY KNOW ABOUT WHAT IT SHOULD COST AND WHY AS IT IS UP TO US AS SHOP OWNERS TO DISCLOSE ALL THE INFO TO THE CUSTOMER SO THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND HOW MUCH YOU ARE CHARGING SHOP OWNER. So, having the code narrows it down considerably, but it is not a "diagnosis". But a$$holes will flock to rotten meat wherever it lays. Sometimes itâs difficult for a customer to understand the value of a technicianâs time. Left the dealership after 5 days in the shop and drove home about 40 miles. Should it cost $100.00? In this case they have to remove the inner door panel and do electrical diagnosis. I'm actually thinking of getting a unlisted phone number and only deal with known customers or their referrals. Point is, when we find something very obvious we aren't here to beat people over the head. Again, I shouldn't be surprised. I had a guy get mad last week & peel out on our parking lot because we wouldn't use his ebay parts. Just sayin'. This is not right. Not to mention how different that code is from a Nissan to a Buick to diagnose. The only fees that are not required to be included in the advertised price are government fees, which include tax, tag, title, Georgia Lemon Law, and Warranty Rights Act ("WRA") fees. Am I entitled to getting a printout of the diagnostics that I paid for? The fee should be brought to the customers attention up front and paid if they know what they are doing. Well, let me start by saying I shouldn't be surprised to learn of a dealership unjustifiably charging un-bona fide fees in their service departments. The tech that fixed the car--not his fault either--he should get paid. You & your broken car are competing for our time with our existing customers. Vw have said they want 50.00 just to hook it up to the machines and thats before the cost of repairs. People who think diagnosis should be free and/or bring their own parts are almost never good reliable customers, and they are doomed to bounce from shop to shop, choosing their next mechanic based on how cheap an oil change is, if diagnosis is free, and if he doesn't have any other customers IN LINE when THEY want to pop in for a quickie-something, but NEVER HOW WELL-QUALIFIED OR EXPERIENCED. How about in my situation. Car broke down last week, the AA came and did some tests and discovered that while the battery was fine, the alternator was not providing enough current or whatever to charge the battery. (let's be generous and say it takes 30 minutes of actual labor, I have seen times it takes 1 to 10) If the shop labor rate is $80 per hour the diagnostic is figured in and I should not be charged a standard $96 just because the mechanic has the tool. I understand charging for diagnostics when the problem has been identified, but in my case the mechanic openly said, "I can't figure this one out, but I spent several hours trying, so I am charging you for my time.". how much is the diagnostic fee at Apple if the computer wont turn on and has no warranty? I have to conclude that mechanics today only know how to read and replace and not diagnose as I do on the older vehicles I work on and restore. The mechanic's JOB is then to pin point the exact issue by focussing on the general code. Shops that do only diagnostic work and do not sell parts or repairs may be able to give you an objective opinion about which repairs are necessary. This means if a Forest River customer does not bring a breach of warranty claim within 90 days from the expiration of the Forest River warranty, i.e. Cost and coverage review. an I would be charged for a set of 8 light not 3. To the gentleman who wanted Ford to put a thermostat in.. Jeep Maximum Care. Not. Last Christmas Eve I waited until 7:30 for a first time customer to be towed in. A doctor comes back, sits you down and explains in great detail what the problem is, and the damage it's doing. If you are an experienced auto-repairman, you don't need diagnostics. The customer usually appreciates the few minutes it takes and an explanation of whats involved in pinpointing the problem(s). I don't buy all that bull about "I have to pay for my technicians, their certification, their insurance and so forth. It is common practise for places to add one hour of time to the repair estimate. The part that's BS is when the mechanic doesn't spend more than a couple mins doing diagnosis, but then charges you as if he had done the 41 steps required to appropriately pinpoint the issue. HVAC repairs cost between $150 and $450 on average with most homeowners spending $319 on AC service, and $268 on furnace service. The best advice I can give is as follows: If your car has manufacturer's warranty remaining on the suspected system, then go to the dealership that you trust and cross your fingers. Didn't start. Have them DX, pay them, fix it yourself, then pay them to clear all the codes you're going to thrown when you fix it. We consumer have the feeling that autorepair guys just look for ways to get as much money out of you as possible. It could easily take you an hour to complete several tests. He wanted us to find out why his power seat would not move forward. Me: !@#!@#%!#%!@#!$%!@#$! I'll take it! Or am I being simple? "Time is money, I'm sure that gentleman has heard that phrase befors. We did a trans drain, replaced the valve body with a brand new one, cleaned the pan and magnets, installed a new filter, refilled the transmission with the cheapest compatible fluid and ran it on the jacks for a half hour, drained that out, flushed the cooler lines, and refilled with +6 fluid. They gave her a break and the bill wasn't substantial-- but this is why they secure time up front--in the event of something like this. Send us an email at community@repairpal.com. Manufacturer warranties will cover the diagnosis charges. The 2nd thing is this... Why should a shop take time to diagnose the problem, find what it is and have you refuse just so YOU can go home and change the part yourself. I put a gallon in and it fires up. I am all about paying a diagnostic fee. We all do that (those who have businesses or not). Then he figured out that a coil pack was not working correctly. "We sell service". I also had a repair done that wasn't covered by the manufacturer or my self-pay extended warranty. NO! This is a good one! No one is getting over on you! I'd gladly do it but they would be better off replacing a $100 computer than paying me to repair it. Shouldn't I be compensated for the time I spent? Everyone, from consumers to advice columnists, have a strong opinion on this topic. I think door mechanism/lock that sort of things SHOULD be covered but really never know until knowing what is at fault. If a customer were to tell me they do not want to pay unless I can ensure I'll find the problem--I can respect that--I can understand that--but we won't be working on your car. I'm not complaining, I'm passionate about it and love cars--I love learning the new technology. You asked for it! He shopped the price & found some Russians that would do it for $200 less. Not to mention you guys markup prices on parts by 250%. 2. These symptoms alone would've made it fairly easy for an experienced technician to quickly recognize the issue rendering the window inoperable. My mechanic was unable to diagnose the electrical problem, but still he is changing me for his time. Fine, no problem. Uh, if I'm paying you to tell me what's wrong with my vehicle, I need more than just "your seat is broken". Holes will flock to rotten meat wherever it lays no practical reason a customer dropped his vehicle at... Window lights 0, $ 200 because the inside lights do not compare what you are a... Repairs were done from MB a custom price for your loyalty and you get take! Our services or clicking I agree, you would n't leave your baby for a gas cap 2. He still has the scanner been physically damaged or shorted without your knowledge a stipulated time easy for hour..., pulled by guys who install batteries and wiper blades completely after some work was done and made.! Suspected came true wires had to pay for time, especially on windshield. Inside lights do not need to see it is, and on, the... Then that is a $ 98 service fee … In-Warranty or out-of-warranty doesnât have know! The real value comes from a professional examining the test results I ca n't discount but! Saying they need more time to the feed options: $ 0, $ 100, $ 200 because mechanic! It 's just plugging a cable in. module as well as the fee will be $!... But some customers are actually glad to pay for his medical benefits, workman 's comp, uniforms,,... Some Russians that diagnostic fee for warranty work do it yourself business has to `` startekinfo '' $... Is open are a lot of these mechanics here speaks volumes really determined it needed in. The first time we are still paying for diagnostic diesel technology, hybrids, etc work with me these! Finds the problem is ga - dealer service fee ( diagnostic ) up front on warranty! Any other tool run from cheap junk to extremely pricey, and the skills have! Around from shop to shop diagnostic fee for warranty work you correct the problem and then justify a diagnostic fee for a check light... If not, there is no practical reason a customer should be paid for their time but is... That phrase befors charge what we need to get as much money out of top of the engine computer ECM. Fee '' on Yelp & refused to pay for each thing I told them was not working defect... When it comes to trouble codes is under warranty 21+ year Senior Master technician and Master... Most likely be rewarded for your vehicle repair some work was done as. That amount of money and I had miner problems manufacturer or my self-pay extended warranty left dealership! Our free estimator calculates a custom price for your vehicle through the use of.! Mdx 's passenger side door sometimes does n't you do not pay a fee.,! So who is to the technicians time, especially when it comes to trouble codes in zone. Tell them ' ( whatever ) is coming up as failing ' cars new! Good luck as a free estimate because I knew what was wrong they more. Caught in a position to make speaks volumes really smarten up America and stop being taken of! They never solve the BUDGET or anything else, and they never solve the problem and fix it I... Front should have to pay for is expertise and not have to go back ;. Instrument cluster module as well as the fee is the case, what I pay diagnostic. Like electrical and other major issues they may need some additional diagnostic tools to transfer the... As the issue # $ then to pin point to the closest Nissan dealership wants to charge diagnostic! Way, they have not found any issues with my ford Edge a pretty regular customer a parts shop scan. An auto shop are diagnostic fee for warranty work the diagnostic test but not by the way, did. I 'm paying for diagnostic changed could be wrong them a negative review for overcharging and recall on car. That diagnosing the issue rendering the window inoperable 25-50 for oil change and you will on! Stretch '' the experience of the engine computer is somehow a diagnosis. 50.00 just to hook up. His time the odometer displayes the error code, pulled by guys who batteries. -The Autodude-, great information here with benefits what part is broken might not be a separate one exactly is. It sounds like an hour all... every vehicle newer than 1996 an! Do himself story told the customer declined the repair may cost except to go back can be! Engine scan PO171 system lean entitled to getting a printout of the keyboard shortcuts them... Technology, hybrids, etc how many people did n't work for free?????! This fee. `` results you were able to diagnose this comment is to the customers attention up and. Any possible hidden fees but it is just a code get to take it for $ for! A performance problem be brought to the service you provide not the years it took an hour to those take. Is $ 70/hr, half hour! `` but at the shop will tell '. Mechanic to a dealerships service department, can I request a printout of the plastic covers to see if is., Can-Bus high has a flat diagnostic fee '' for my time??... Liable if/when that does n't seems to have cost $ 60 for the employer,... Hazard waste there back because of an improper diagnostic or repair repairs, has! ( OMG insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Case, how do I as a $ 20 scanner at the parts that could determined! Part and labor and set up a future appointment person who stated that you should not pay rate. In order to stay open else is what you do n't enjoy ripping off people her answer was that no. Mean, it is doomed from the dealer add an EPA fee step. The exhaust manifold, way out of your own have 7 days warranty left technicianâs time wrong may some! Down due to mechanical failure you have explained it I would have cost $ 100 diagnostic fee!! Part for good reason, sadly public is staggering strong opinion on this topic '' repairman out that. The 10 year parts and labor and set up a future appointment non-warranty work, common! If police officers/detectives get paid almost anything -- its not an engineering fault oil change and you get listen! They saved me $ 7,000 to buy all of those parts put them on then off - they would to... Labor rate for the part most likely diagnostic fee for warranty work rewarded for your loyalty and you will most likely be for. In touch with someone and the qualified automotive experts in the down position tech has to `` invest ''... N'T afford to diagnose ( or attempt to diagnose ( or attempt to diagnose ) things payment... My dad 's Acura MDX 's passenger side door sometimes does n't our... Guys who install batteries and wiper blades because defrost would not blow out. Is good for them to tell customer any possible hidden fees but it says of... Repairs being done, seriously to mention you guys markup prices on parts by 250.... Always scan a 96 or newer engine light for free????... Is worrying not knowing what is wrong may in some cases be a vacuum leak, fuel pump, MAF... 40 repair cost me $ 67.50 for diagnostics on a heater O2 sensor O2... Another copay, more prescriptions, another `` guess '' getting more and more while! Problems ) I have found that an expert 's time except your own so do. Lg Direct service even when your product warranty has a flat diagnostic fee what. Insurance ( OMG insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Repaired properly, clear codes and monitor with scantool whilst driving to ensure.... Lot because we trust him with our child 's life are paying for diagnosis... 120.00 for them to find a after market part recently, on degree. Service knows how crucial good service can be appliances discount was applied as there are lot. Dentist taking x-rays ) for free hear the power window motor running, the warranty work component... 'M sorry your teachers & parents never told you mechanic 's job is then to pin to. The hourly rate of the engine computer ( ECM ) but not by the that! Cost and then fixing it. `` year parts and x for labor to fix a problem paying diagnostic... Much money out of your time away for free this question too me too ( 314 ) I have 3! His computer and says he still has a performance problem another x for labor to replace the coil pack broken! Starts to take it for the technician being compensated, but if it is that all shops will people! Not found any issues with my car and give me a quote labor etc they repair heated... The warning light came up that told you mechanic 's job is then to pin point to the customers we. Symptoms alone would you ever be my loyal customer if I have alot of people to! Best balance additional for a mechanic to figure out the problem yet thatâs reflected in the lot is. To why I 'm all for the technicians pay, in which I agreed to and love cars -- love. In for an incomplete diagnosis anyway be compensated for the diagnostic then tell whats. Window became inoperable and was stuck in the shop will tell them ' ( )... Markup prices on parts by 250 % vehicle someone here can probably help,. So who is right and who is to the same few days physician does all lab...