Charge to diagnose fault on a KA following MOT

[susie c]

Hi

I'm new to this forum and know nothing about cars (found it via google).

My 2002 KA 1.3 has just failed it's MOT due to steering probs, as a ford dealership. They wanted £50 + VAT to diagnose the problem - is this normal? They've phoned back and said it'll be about £200 all in as it needed a new steering arm (?). It doesn't sound too pricey but I've never paid to have a fault diagnosed before! Any advice would be great.

[stef123]

Hi

I'm new to this forum and know nothing about cars (found it via google).

My 2002 KA 1.3 has just failed it's MOT due to steering probs, as a ford dealership. They wanted £50 + VAT to diagnose the problem - is this normal? They've phoned back and said it'll be about £200 all in as it needed a new steering arm (?). It doesn't sound too pricey but I've never paid to have a fault diagnosed before! Any advice would be great.

personally unless its for warranty reasons i wouldnt take your car to the dealer. i would use a good independant garage. £50 to diagnose sounds about right for a dealer tbh. dealers are always dearer, they have bigger overheads to cover receptionists etc..

£200 is probably a reasonable price at a dealers, bearing in mind all parts used will be genuine :)

[SierraYankee99]

Hi

I'm new to this forum and know nothing about cars (found it via google).

My 2002 KA 1.3 has just failed it's MOT due to steering probs, as a ford dealership. They wanted £50 + VAT to diagnose the problem - is this normal? They've phoned back and said it'll be about £200 all in as it needed a new steering arm (?). It doesn't sound too pricey but I've never paid to have a fault diagnosed before! Any advice would be great.

Most dealers charge approx 1 hours labour for fault diagnosis (£50+VAT would be about right for most). However, if subsequently you allow them to do the work found, if any, most will not charge for the diagnosis.