subject: Average Vehicle Repair Costs in Bradenton [print this page] Average Vehicle Repair Costs in Bradenton
Every vehicle will wear out and fail eventually. Auto parts are not wear-proof. So before the actual auto repairs begin, we, as car owners should have an idea of how much money we will shell out so that we can prepare. With the rising cost of living nowadays, it is not easy to let go of a large sum all of a sudden.
First, let us see the breakdown of average vehicle repair costs. The cost of vehicle repair depends on five things: what is wrong with the vehicle, the auto repair shop where the vehicle was taken, standard labor rates within the area, the model of the car (including the year and make), and the availability of parts.
However, according to statistics, 98% of all auto repair shops charge way over the standard rates. This is true not only in Bradenton, but in other states including Alaska, and other continents including Australia. With this information, how can we make sure we get a concise and fair price?
Understanding the five factors mentioned above is a start, especially with labor rates since it is what makes vehicle repair costs expensive. The repair shops in Bradenton usually charge $60-$90 per hour. Thus, the longer it takes to repair a car, the more costly it will get. The process becomes longer and more expensive than expected if some parts are hard to find, especially if we are talking about vintage models and luxury cars.
Changing a starter on one car might be a relatively simple task if the starter is easily accessible, but on another vehicle you might have to remove part of the exhaust system or loosen a motor mount and raise the engine to replace the starter.
We must also understand that for us to get good service, mechanics do a lot of hard, dirty, backbreaking work which involves not only a lot if training, skill, and experience, but also expensive tools and modern equipment. Other things where the hourly charges are allotted are rent, payment for utilities, maintenance of the shop and its equipment, employee benefits, etc. However, some apart from these labor rates are diagnostic fees that are usually $75-$100.
The other bulk of average costs are the parts and how much the auto repair shops mark their prices up. Shops typically mark up 30 to 40% depending on the supplier or distributor. Some car owners buy car parts themselves but some do not install equipment that they did not purchase directly. Best auto repair shops are characterized by purchasing Original Equipment Parts only. This ensures that the items put in our cars will last longer making us save money in the long run.
