Get what you pay for

BILLS: UNDERSTAND YOUR SERVICE INVOICE TO KEEP YOUR CAR IN TOP SHAPE

Filters, brake pads, wiper blades and oil are not general consumable items.

After taking your car in for a service, have you ever looked at the invoice and wondered what all the line items are?

Motor Industry Workshop Association (Miwa) chairman Dewald Ranft says it’s important to understand what you are paying for.

Certain items used when servicing a vehicle fall within a general consumables charge.

“Items that would typically fall within this category are bought in bulk and used during the repair process, such as rags, grease, cable ties, silicone sprays etc. The reason these are grouped into one charge is because to name each individual item would be impractical and invoices would be several pages long,” he says.

However, he points out that other items such as filters, brake pads, wiper blades, oil etc must be specified as separate items on your bill.

“These items do not fall within the general consumables charge and should be itemised so you can see exactly what you are being charged for.

“You should also see a line item specifying a labour rate and a charge for the repair work conducted.”

Ranft says it is within the vehicle owner’s right to query any item on the invoice.

“A reputable mechanic will be transparent and easily be able to answer your questions. I highly recommend using a Miwa-accredited workshop because if there are any discrepancies on the bill you can raise the issue with Miwa and an investigation will follow. It’s good to have a fail-safe in place,” he says.

The invoice should correlate with the quote given ahead of the service, within reason.

“Obviously, once a mechanic has been able to take a good look at the vehicle after the initial quote, there are sometimes additional things that need fixing. The mechanic, however, needs to inform you, before doing the work, of any substantial charges that may be over and above the initial quote and authorisation needs to be given by the vehicle owner.

“Once again, if this is not the case, it is important that the vehicle owner reports the workshop to Miwa for investigation.”

With most people watching their expenses these days, Ranft believes it’s important to get educated on car maintenance costs.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your car maintenance and the most cost-effective way of keeping your vehicle in tip-top condition.

“Remember that regular maintenance will extend the life of your vehicle and save you money in the long run,” he concludes.