Estimated for an MOT + full service - does this sound like a rip off, or reasonable?

Nabinium

Nabinium

Nabinium

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57
Location
Bedfordshire, UK
Hi all,

Just had a quote from a local independent garage for an MOT and full service, and wanted people's thoughts on whether the cost sounds reasonable, or a rip off?

For context, the car is a 2014 Kia Rio 1.4L petrol, with 110,821 miles on the clock currently. I have driven almost 15,000 miles so far since the previous MOT + service, which was almost 12 months ago now. Different garage did last year's service, which included pollen filter change, air filter change, oil and oil filter change.

They briefly mentioned on the phone what would be included, but I asked for a written list, which they have sent over an estimate to me via email now. The estimate as follows:

  • 3.7L of 5W30 C3 Shell Helix Ultra Fully Synthetic Engine Oil - £43.20
  • 1 Mahle Oil Filter - £13.53
  • 1 Mahle Air Filter - £23.34
  • 1 Mahle Pollen/Cabin Filter - £16.86
  • 4 NGK Spark Plugs - £93.92
  • Anti-freeze, screen wash, tyre pressures, etc. - £0
  • 1 Sump Plug & Washer Kit - £5.61
  • Brake Fluid Change - £35.00
  • MOT - £54.85

  • Goods total - £286.31
  • Labour - £85.00
  • VAT - £63.29
  • TOTAL - £434.60
 
Get your MOT done elsewhere don't think I've ever paid more than £35 for one. Other than that looks reasonable for parts and probably an hour/hour and a half labour
 
Glanza said:
Looks fine and them giving you a breakdown before the works done is better than most garages will do.
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Tbf, I did have to ask for them to give a breakdown. They only briefly mentioned the things that would be included over the phone, but I wanted a written list, in the off chance I get shafted...

They were happy to provide one though, so no issues. And yeah, agreed, better than most garages.
 
tom_e said:
Get your MOT done elsewhere don't think I've ever paid more than £35 for one. Other than that looks reasonable for parts and probably an hour/hour and a half labour
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Diddums x said:
As @tom_e says, if you can be arsed, take it elsewhere for the MOT, but honestly the amount you'll save will quickly be outdone by the additional faff required.

Those prices are very reasonable, I'd go for it tbh.
Click to expand...

Thanks re the MOT, last place that did my service was Mr Clutch last year, who also charged full price for the MOT test. I could probably find somebody that doesn't though.

And thanks everyone, I'll likely go for it at this local garage.
 
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TBH they're having your pants down on the parts pricing

4L of that oil is <£40
Filters are £20 less in total
Plugs are between 45-60 depending on source

Guarantee you they purchase at trade prices so less than the prices I've found
 
Resident said:
Plugs are between 45-60 depending on source
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brendy said:
Id tell them to forget the spark plugs for now, thats a diy job unless hidden under superchargers etc which isnt in this case. Plugs are maybe a tenner each x 4.
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hornetstinger said:
£100 for spark plugs? Having a laugh I recall they're about £20
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Not saying they aren't (as there is also a cheaper NGK listed at Euro Car Parts), but if that's what their suppliers system lists, then that what they will sell - it's unlikely they are trying to get rich off some spark plugs.

1752065937696.png
 
hornetstinger said:
£100 for spark plugs? Having a laugh I recall they're about £20
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Looking up the parts, I did find the same NGK Spark Plugs they've listed, but for around £75 for 4 of them at Euro Car Parts.

This garage quoted for 4 of them for £93.92, so definitely more here
 
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Nabinium said:
  • 1 Mahle Oil Filter - £13.53
  • 1 Mahle Air Filter - £23.34
  • 1 Mahle Pollen/Cabin Filter - £16.86
  • 4 NGK Spark Plugs - £93.92
Click to expand...

Mahle are an overpriced brand for filters, other brands are half that price for products you could not tell apart quality wise.

4 NGK spark plugs £94 is another rip off, its £15 for 4 Bosch branded ones for my car and it is a 1.4 petrol like your one.
 
dave28 said:
Mahle are an overpriced brand for filters, other brands are half that price for products you could not tell apart quality wise.

4 NGK spark plugs £94 is another rip off, its £15 for 4 Bosch branded ones for my car and it is a 1.4 petrol like your one.
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Strange why huge variance in price, from £2.50 for £25 each
 
Armageus said:
Not saying they aren't (as there is also a cheaper NGK listed at Euro Car Parts), but if that's what their suppliers system lists, then that what they will sell - it's unlikely they are trying to get rich off some spark plugs.

1752065937696.png
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Green spark plug all the way, they are usually very competitive. £6.79 each for Kia rio 1.4 spec (garnered model number from autodoc (which has a multitude of models but their delivery is awful so always discount them from my realistic searches)
www.gsparkplug.com

NGK LZKR6B-10E 1578 Spark Plug Copper Core LZKR6B10E

LZKR6B-10E NGK Spark Plugs
www.gsparkplug.com www.gsparkplug.com

Ana a tenner for a multi socket plug wrench offa the amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/iVX6p5w
 
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dave28 said:
Mahle are an overpriced brand for filters, other brands are half that price for products you could not tell apart quality wise.

4 NGK spark plugs £94 is another rip off, its £15 for 4 Bosch branded ones for my car and it is a 1.4 petrol like your one.
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Yeah, I think the main issue is that this garage seems to use the expensive brands for parts.

Wonder if it's worth asking whether I could buy cheaper branded filters myself and ask them to use those instead, or is that not a done thing?
 
brendy said:
Green spark plug all the way, they are usually very competitive. £6.79 each for Kia rio 1.4 spec (garnered model number from autodoc (which has a multitude of models but their delivery is awful so always discount them from my realistic searches)
www.gsparkplug.com

NGK LZKR6B-10E 1578 Spark Plug Copper Core LZKR6B10E

LZKR6B-10E NGK Spark Plugs
www.gsparkplug.com www.gsparkplug.com
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Yep those ones are £7.19 on Eurocarparts

NGK Nickel - LZKR6B-10E | Euro Car Parts

NGK Nickel - LZKR6B-10E at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.eurocarparts.com www.eurocarparts.com

The difference is these are Nickel vs the £18.59 ones which are Iridium.

Whether Iridium spark plugs are required on a basic 1.4 Kia Rio is another matter - but again no harm in querying with the OP's garage.

Overall the quote didn't look to bad, and I wouldn't begrudge the garage a couple of quid here or there on parts.
 
Armageus said:
Yep those ones are £7.19 on Eurocarparts

NGK Nickel - LZKR6B-10E | Euro Car Parts

NGK Nickel - LZKR6B-10E at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.eurocarparts.com www.eurocarparts.com

The difference is these are Nickel vs the £18.59 ones which are Iridium.

Whether Iridium spark plugs are required on a basic 1.4 Kia Rio is another matter - but again no harm in querying with the OP's garage.

Overall the quote didn't look to bad, and I wouldn't begrudge the garage a couple of quid here or there on parts.
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Id say on a tuned japanese turbo car like my old impreza yea they may help but on a bog standard 1.4, unlikely. Same for the oil, Im sure there is cheaper out there but Id doubt the mechanic would be happy only charging labour at 85 if you supplied all the parts.
 
They also insist on a full service for new customers/vehicles that haven't been serviced by them before.

I did actually have my oil and oil filter changed last month by a different garage, IIRC was different oil and filter than the ones quoted in the OP.

Would it be reasonable to ask them to take the oil and oil filter off the quote, considering it's been changed only a few weeks ago? I guess then it wouldn't be considered a "full service" in their eyes.
 
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