Dont call me tool every buisness has overheads water insurance bla bla like i said im my example how come a engine repair shop is cheaper do they not have machines lathes and the like you must either own a garages or work in one to feel the way you do main dealers are even worst some take 125 plus vat an hour they only have to worry about tool for thier own
Yes I run a garage, Its a family business and I have seen it grow from the back of a van to a decent size place so I know very well the costs involved. A machine shop doesnt have anywhere near the level of costs of a garage. The motor trade is one of the most regulated industries out there and we have all sorts of fees to pay, machine shops dont. We have hazardous materials licenses to pay, machine shops dont. We have waste to pay, machine shops dont. There are so many costs beyond what you realise in this trade, stupid costs, expensive costs.
Not only that but an engine shop is an engineering shop, a totally different part of the trade, they dont have half the amount of tooling we need. My yearly costs on tools alone is well over £12K, thats a ****ing lot and it goes up every year!!
I will give you an example, newer VW diesels engines are a slightly different design that dont allow conventional diesel compression testers work so you need to get a new kit, that alone is £500+ and that will be used a few times a year.
And then theres the big tools, we have had a new class 7 ramp added, thats over £10K alone!!
The expenses are there, there isnt a national conspiracy to rip people off, im not living a life of luxury and lording it up an neither are most garage owners, infact there has been a steady decline in the amount of garages dues to spiriling costs, its a cut throat world right now and its gets no better when we constantly have people slating the independent garages.
Yes I agree main dealers are over priced, BMW are at £180 in some places but thats because people are willing to pay it when they actually belive that they have to go to main dealers for warranty vehicles, thats a lie spilt by dealerships which breaks some very major laws, they shouldnt do it but they do, they have told me before that if I buy I have to go to them for work whilst in warranty!!
I woill opologise for the insult but this really gets my goat, people have no idea on the overheads of a motor garage, they are muchmuch higher than most businesses!!