TheaterFire

Is it normal for car garages to charge a diagnostic fee?

Posted by InsurancePurple4630@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

I'm taking my car to the corsa dealership, my stereo is not working. They said there is a £144 just for a diagnostic check. Is this normal?

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17 Comments

Witchy_Inked_One@reddit

Yes, they will hook the vehicle to a diagnostic machine and it in theory tell you the issue
View on Reddit #24863687

TheCarrot007@reddit

Yes it's pitty there are no technicians any more and we have to ask ther computer to diagnose the problem and then have no comback when they were wrong and it need more work (also see pretty much any work on boilers/electrics and pretty much most things).
View on Reddit #24865210

Witchy_Inked_One@reddit

There are still technicians it’s that the new cars coming out are so computerised and manufactures have standards on how cars are looked at…I walked into a workshop the other day and there was a car on a ramp, 4 contraptions on wheels and loads of lasers checking the alignments, all very modern. I wonder if apprentices are shown the ‘old’ way of checking alignments?
View on Reddit #24868059

Vertigo_uk123@reddit

Yes it’s normal. What is the issue with the stereo. Have you checked the fuses.
View on Reddit #24865707

InsurancePurple4630@reddit (OP)

I don't know how to do that. Going to check YouTube video
View on Reddit #24867953

blackthornjohn@reddit

Unlikely, but they have made a post about people charging for any work they do.
View on Reddit #24867275

Huge-Celebration5192@reddit

Yes is about £100 for a merc They will tell you the issue, if you want a 2nd opinion it is £100 at another garage then Is a massive scam
View on Reddit #24865015

Corsodylfresh@reddit

Why's it a scam?
View on Reddit #24866272

more_beans_mrtaggart@reddit

£220 at Marshalls Mercedes, name and shame. I had to pay that because the front light bulb needed replacing and they decided to check the system.
View on Reddit #24865684

BritishBlitz87@reddit

£144 is a rip off but yes, diagnostic fees are normal. Otherwise you'd get an epidemic of wannabe mechanics such as myself taking cars to be diagnosed for free (usually the hardest part) and then doing it themselves 
View on Reddit #24865652

TC_FPV@reddit

A lot of times, diagnosing the issue is the vast majority of the work required to fix it.
View on Reddit #24865161

chicaneuk@reddit

A diagnostic charge is normal but that is a fucking insane charge, especially on a Corsa.
View on Reddit #24863955

BigRedTone@reddit

My indie garage doesn’t charge me, but I’d expect it at a main dealer
View on Reddit #24863897

Large-Sign-900@reddit

Also these machines cost a fortune to keep updated so they're entitled to charge for it , not to mention the time involved.
View on Reddit #24863766

TheMightyGrimm@reddit

Yes. Same as if you pay for a boiler service you get charged even if no actual adjustments are made because you’re paying to make sure it works.
View on Reddit #24863601

zephyrmox@reddit

Don't go to a main dealer. But yes, there will be a fee because it requires work to find out why something is broken.
View on Reddit #24863394

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