To check if Roberto paid the right price (see his full testimonial), we have an appointment at Enzo, an independent mechanic in Koekelberg.
Of the €285 paid by our witness, there is €54 of workforce for 40 minutes of work. But how long does it take to drain? “In a quarter of an hour, we do an oil change”, he assures us. But there is nothing to complain regarding the price of labor. “It’s completely normal, it all depends on the vehicle and its category”. So 70€ per hour isn’t too expensive? “No, that’s absolutely correct.”
The rest depends on the type of engine and its power. For Roberto, 6 liters had to be drained, charged at almost €22 per litre. “In general, it varies between 17 and 18€, great maximum“, believes Enzo. “Apart from the big brands, where it’s a little more expensive” (and it was indeed a big sign, namely a VW dealership).
So in the end, what is the opinion of this independent mechanic for Roberto’s bill of €285 which therefore included oil and labor, but also the particle filter. “It’s reasonable”, he concludes. “But there is a way to find cheaper, in smaller companies”.
Logic: the larger the garage, the higher the running costs. And even among the independents, all positions have increased: difficult, therefore, to keep prices low. “I am amazed when I see the price of the pieces arrive. I have the impression that they are jewels”, says Giovanna, who works with Enzo. “For a single person with children, it’s choking (than owning and maintaining a car), it’s a budget… You have to make sacrifices, or take the metro…”.
Maintaining a car has therefore become a luxury, and prices are not regarding to drop.