Was I overcharged for my diagnosis and replacement of Evap Leak?

[LtdJuice]

My dad went to a mechanic to have the engine light checked and possibly fixed. We have a Ford explorer 2013, with about 201974 miles on it. Do you guys think he overpaid for these service? They did test it and run a "smoke test". So maybe it wasn't just the replacement that was charged but the smoke test? I don't know to much about cars to be honest. This is the invoice. They also quoted 2800 to replace the catalytic converter - does that seem high? Thank you in advance!

Edit:

This is an independent shop with tons of good reviews. My dad didn’t have much time to shop around and needed it finished quickly so he can do a smog test. Lesson learned - auto zone does free code checks, and the valve replacement was a simple fix.

 

[mguy13sport]

The problem with that invoice is its missing the quantity of hours worked and the hourly rate. They just simply charged $525 for "labor" but how did they come up with that number? The ford IDS software has the estimated time to repair per part. For example, the water pump is rated at 10.5 hours to remove and replace.

 

[Motorhogman]

OUCH ! I'd find an independent repair shop for future needs. I agree with the invoice lacking info to.. $2800.00 to replace a cat.. I'd shop around.

 

[joney]

My dad went to a mechanic to have the engine light checked and possibly fixed. We have a Ford explorer 2013, with about 201974 miles on it. Do you guys think he overpaid for these service? They did test it and run a "smoke test". So maybe it wasn't just the replacement that was charged but the smoke test? I don't know to much about cars to be honest. This is the invoice. They also quoted 2800 to replace the catalytic converter - does that seem high? Thank you in advance!


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You are in a very pricey area! If that was 2+ hours, possibly legit. Did you ask the hourly rate? And the CA cats have to me OEM I believe. (check me on that) Would be worth taking a trip to a less expensive area IF you could find a reliable shop. Even out here labor rates are $90 - $100, at independent shops, never have priced work at a dealership.

 

[410Fortune]

smoke test is not cheap that is for sure
if it was $800 I would say too much, if it was $250 I would say good deal, $590 is on the high side for sure
It likely took them about 20 minutes to fix the purge valve but its a dealer soo......its $100 just to drive it into the shop and scan it

 

[peterk9]

OUCH ! I'd find an independent repair shop for future needs. I agree with the invoice lacking info to.. $2800.00 to replace a cat.. I'd shop around.

smoke test is not cheap that is for sure
if it was $800 I would say too much, if it was $250 I would say good deal, $590 is on the high side for sure
It likely took them about 20 minutes to fix the purge valve but its a dealer soo......its $100 just to drive it into the shop and scan it

As stated, the work was done at an independent garage.

Peter

 

[Motorhogman]

As stated, the work was done at an independent garage.

Peter

oooops... Dunno why I thought "dealer".. Maybe the prices..

 

[mmorey79]

This is one of those hard to say situations, if they actually did what's on the invoice, that's probably a reasonable charge. Now was it an intelligent choice, probably not. At least if you know these cars well you know evap purge valve is a common failure, and the valve is dirt cheap, it's one of the few parts where I suggest people just throw a part at it and hope it goes away it's so cheap compared to any other diagnostics/repairs of the system.