So, you have put off your car service for as long as possible during lockdown and now those car repairs cannot be ignored any longer.
Chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) Dewald Ranft explains that essentially a quote is determining the exact monetary cost of selling, repairing and servicing a vehicle when the car has certain pre-defined services and repairs.
An estimate, on the other hand, is determining the possible cost when unknown factors are evident, probably due to a hidden or unseen environment such as the internal components of an engine. Importantly, an estimate should always be followed by a quote – a final document determining the cost to the car owner.
“It’s important to realise that in some cases it is very difficult or near impossible for a mechanic to look at a vehicle and know exactly what the problem is, how much it will cost to repair, and how long the process will take,” said Ranft.
“For example, when a non-starting vehicle is towed into the workshop and the car owner needs to get the vehicle running again the first thing the workshop will do is give you a quote on the non-starting problem.”
While these concepts may appear simple, Ranft says misunderstandings can result in heated arguments.
“Once a quotation is given, no matter what may transpire thereafter, the consumer has every right to hold the mechanic to the quoted amount. Any additional work remotely related to the repair will be accepted as being part and parcel of the quotation.
“It’s therefore very important that details of the quote are clear at the inception and time is taken to explain the quote in detail and make note of the ‘might happen’ scenario so that the car owner is well aware of the details,” he says.
He believes it is essential to get all parties to sign the quote ahead of any repair work being done.
“Should any additional work be required, the mechanic should contact the car owner, make a note of the time of contact and get a corroborating signature from a member of staff in the case of a telephonic conversation.”
MIWA is an associate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation.
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