Reporting an overcharging mechanic

My knowledge of cars is minimal, but a series of recent events has caused me to question the integrity of my mechanic. Going through recent service receipts, I am shocked – horrified in fact – about the prices I have been charged for certain replacement parts, parts that I was advised my car required. I am questioning other items on my receipts such as labour and parts supplied, when the mark-up is already up to 200 percent on certain items! In short, even with my limited knowledge, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that I have been outrageously ripped off. I have lost faith in these people. Is there a regulatory authority for motor mechanics in Victoria? Internet searches have consistently directed me to Consumer Affairs Victoria, but I was wondering if you could possibly suggest another avenue that was more specialized to the motoring industry please?

If you have anyone, a family member or friend, who has more knowledge than you have them go through the receipts to determine if you have been ripped off. It's easy to check the prices of the parts you have been supplied by going to a parts supplier and getting their prices for the same parts. To check the hourly rate you could phone around other mechanical workshops and ask what they charge per hour. You could go to the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, the industry body that licenses many workshops in Victoria.

 

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Comments

Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.