|
As an independent adviser to the automotive repair industry, we believe
that repair shops are entitled to charge for the time spent diagnosing
vehicle malfunctions and discrepancies and in preparing an estimate to
effect necessary repairs. Many car owners are unable to technically
describe the complaint to a service technician; the technician must sometimes make a road
test to determine the exact problem. Such a diagnosis and estimation requires time,
experience, and in many cases the use of expensive testing equipment.
The following listed operations
and times are given by Mitchell as average recommendations of diagnostic and estimation
times.
Diagnostic Menu
Subject or Complaint
- Air Conditioning Time, hr. 1.0
Includes: Check refrigeration system with manifold gauges and leak detector. Check
compressor clutch, compressor and drive belts. Test temperature at A/C outlets.
- Cooling System / Overheating Time, hr .4
Includes: Pressure test for external coolant leaks or head gasket leak. Inspect belts
and hoses. Test radiator cap. Add additional time if necessary to test thermostat.
- Charging System Time, hr .6
Includes: Test and inspect alternator, regulator, battery, cables and drive belt.
- Emission Test / Smog Test Time, hr .7
Includes: Test engine exhaust on qualified equipment for compliance with federal and/or
state emission standards.
- Hard Cold Start, Stall Time, hr 1.0
Includes: Inspect fuel management system and related linkage for binding or
accumulation of foreign deposits. Check on scope as necessary.
- No Start, Towed In Time, hr 1.0 (to 2.0)
Includes: Run diagnostic checks as per repair manual recommendations.
- Check Engine Light On Time, hr 1.0 (to 2.0)
Includes: Run diagnostic checks as per repair manual recommendations.
* Please note that many of our clients charge a flat diagnostic fee rather than quote
labor hours when diagnosing computer/run-ability/smog check failure related problems.
|
|
Below
is a sample form that can be used to take your Diagnostic Labor Survey of the competitors
in your trade area to see if your charges are competitive and adequate. |
Diagnostic Labor Survey
Date: ________________________
Repair Facility: Service Station / Tire Store / New Car Dealership
Independent Garage / Specialty Shop / Mass Merchandiser
Company Name:_____________________________________________
Company Address: Phone: ____________________________________
Number of times phone rang before answering: ___________________
Did person answer phone stating Company Name & his/her name? Yes No
Person Spoken To: Title: _____________________________________
Complaint/Problem: _________________________________________
Diagnostic Charge: $ Charged Credited if Repaired? Yes / No
Labor Rate: $ Minimum Labor Fee: $ __________________________
Did the person you talked to ask you to bring your car in? Yes / No
Did the person have good mechanical or product knowledge? Yes / No
If you were really in the need for the above service would you have brought your car in
based on their knowledge and sales effort? Yes / No
Comments: ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
|
Printer friendly version
