Car Servicing

Car service costs in South Australia are the highest in the nation, a survey has revealed.

Over 80 per cent of car owners are wary of paying for unnecessary work when getting their car serviced, a survey conducted by research firm Canstar Blue has found.Among the 1000 motorists surveyed, 60 per cent said they had paid for repairs or maintenance items they were not expecting.While some people were convinced they were bring ripped off, most simply part with their money begrudginglyThe survey also found that having a regular mechanic is still common, with nearly 70 per cent of respondents reporting they have their car serviced at the same place every time. Only 40 per cent of respondents say they shop around to find the cheapest price.Head of Canstar Blue, Megan Doyle, said that while some people were convinced they were bring ripped off, most simply part with their money begrudgingly."We found 52 per cent of motorists delay servicing for as long as they can and 38 per cent often skip services if their vehicle appears in good health," she said."That fear of unexpected costs will no doubt be one of the reasons why."However, the survey only looked at people who reported having their car serviced at an independent mechanic and not those who had their car serviced at a dealership.The role of capped price servicing schemes, which are becoming increasingly common and have also come into the focus of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), was also not considered.As ever, the advice to car owners is to get a second opinion if they're unsure."If you’re confronted by a bill you were not expecting and have doubts about it, get a second opinion. Find a mechanic that someone you trust, trusts," Doyle said.

Next month the six-month service comes up on my Suzuki Jimny, but instead of the assumed 10,000km I have only done 3000. Extrapolating this the car will have been serviced 10 times by the time it has 30,000km on the clock, whereas the assumed mileage is 100,000km. Sounds like overkill to me. What do you recommend in my situation?

The balance shaft on my 2006 M272 engine has gone after only 89,000 km. This is a known issue and costs about $6000 to fix. Do I have any come back with Mercedes Australia? Even if I pay for labour only, not parts?

In common with other readers, I have experienced "profiteering" through capped-price servicing. On the past two occasions my Mitsubishi ASX has been serviced I've been told that the pollen filter/air purifier needs replacing. On both occasions I have said no to the exorbitant cost of $82, removed the filter at home and vacuumed it. It will need replacing at some stage, but this item is $34 at an auto parts outlet. Also, at the most recent service it was suggested that the tyres be rotated to ensure even wear, but this would incur an additional cost as the rotation wasn't covered under the capped servicing.

Someone broke the fuel cap off my son's Hyundai i30 so we went to a dealership and were told there is not a part in Australia and, because of the storms in Sydney, they can't order a part for at least six weeks. Do you think this is ridiculous? My son works night shift at a supermarket and I don't like the idea that anyone could tamper with the fuel.

I've a problem with my 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel blowing headlights — at least four times. I haven't taken it to Hyundai yet fearing they will charge me for a new headlight globe and won't solve the problem. The vehicle is still under warranty. What should I do?

Don't you think this fixed-priced servicing is just a big con? In 2013 I bought a new Holden Calais V with fixed-price servicing at $180 a service. The 1500km service no problem, 15,000km service no major problems. At the 30,000km service they tried to flog me a wheel alignment and an injector service, both declined. At 45,000km service they tried to flog me an injector service and new wiper blades. I agreed to the wiper blades, even though I had no problems, but when I was told that they would cost $100, I declined as well.

My Mini Cooper has a faulty timing chain. I made this point when I took my car in for servicing in November and nothing was done. Within a week or so my car began to stall, it was checked again and I was told needed a solenoid replaced. In March, the engine light came on — I was told the timing chain was loose — which I'd pointed out four months earlier.

My 2011 Ford Mondeo diesel has been diagnosed with a blocked particulate filter, and I have been quoted $5000 to replace it! Are there any aftermarket filters on the market, or will everyone who buys or owns a late model diesel with high kilometres be hit with the same slug as me?