the Cost of General Auto Repair

I took my car in for a checkup after it started running rough the day after a tuneup. It had a cracked intake manifold, and it had to be replaced. This was the total amount for diagnosis, labor, and parts.

I was overall very pleased with the service I got from my dealership. I called to say that the very day I had my car tuned up, it began to run roughly; the person on the other end said that diagnosis would be free. I thanked him, and we scheduled the service; they didn't have an opening until Monday, but I planned to leave on a trip on Sunday, so he told me to drop it off Thursday night, and they'd fit it in by Saturday. Friday morning, they called and said I had a cracked intake manifold. I agreed with them that they couldn't have done that during the tuneup, but they still made diagnosis free. They had my car ready Friday afternoon and it purred like a kitten all the way from here to Missouri and back. I was very pleased!

Always make sure to point out any mitigating factors that might reduce the charge. It saved me a hundred dollars or more here. Also, go back to businesses that you think made an initial mistake; often they are pleased to have the chance to salvage their reputation by making it right and you happy. That was certainly the case here, even though the problem was unrelated to anything they did.