Garage Overcharging for clutch/gear box?

Hi,

The clutch went on my car, and the garage says that the gear box was damaged when the clutch broke and had to be replaced as well. They want €1,100 for the replacements and labour - Is it just me or is that a huge sum - you could get a used car for that! They're insisting on being paid in cash as well which seems dodgy to me - they say that their credit card machine is broken. Any thoughts?

is the car old?
Is it a dealership or back street garage?
what type of car?

if you think it is expensive get a second and third quote. i doubt the gear box was damaged. they should have the manual credit card machine there as well. HMMMM

Depends on the car, I paid €450 for clutch in mine, excluding labour.....dunno about it damaging gearbox though

Hi Nediaa, my knowledge isn't great with garages, how can I get a second and third quote when the car is not mobile and in their garage? It happened last Saturday so although the gear box has yet to be replaced I think some work has been done already. It broke down in a town about an hour and a half away from me so it's difficult for me to get to.

It's a 2005 Kalos, the garage is backstreet I guess (only mention on the web is the phone number listing on eircom) - the Quinn Insurance breakdown recovery contractor guy brought the car there so I trusted his opinion (until now!)

Ask them exactly what parts they are intending to replace, then get prices for those parts yourself, either new or from breakers yards.
As a ballpark, here is a clutch kit for the Kalos, not sure if its the right one but you can see what it costs:

ClassRed said:

the Quinn Insurance breakdown recovery contractor guy brought the car there so I trusted his opinion (until now!)

Click to expand...

I wouldve thought they'd bring it to a garage of your choice within X mile radius.....

i got the clutch done in my honda accord 2001 the week before last. i rang around a few places. honda dealers wanted 1200 (incl vat) for the job. some other places wanted 600-800. found a chap is Drumcondra who specialises in clutches and gearbox. he did it for €400(incl vat). dropped it in at 8am. he rang me at 4 to come and collect it. lovely chap and exclellent job

does pay to ring around.

Ahem - never mind I re-read one of the other posts from OP

I have to say, that is the best 1 iv heard yet!!.. your clutch went and we had to replace your gearbox!!. NOT POSSIBLE!!.. as a bell housing seperates the clutch from the mechaics of the gearbox. Most parts are available to purchase for your gearbox anyway so they wouldnt have had to replace your whole box.. Ask for your old gearbox, my guess is they didnt change it atall and will be unable to give you your old box because its still in the car, If they do give it to you, take the gearbox and get it checked.. would have been alot cheaper to have your old box reconditioned than to buy a new one anyway.. good luck,

Hi ClassRed

Right we will need some more information from you:

1. What make, model and year of the car do you have
2. Did you hear any specific noices from the car prior to the clutch going
3. What exactly did you mechanic say about the gearbox
4. Petrol or diesel

There is a number of possibilities here and I need to clarify if it is just a clutch or if there was problem with the gearbox itself which caused the clutch to fail. Depending on the car you could pick up a cheap gearbox rather than new or rebuild at a scrap yard they might have a gearbox for €100 depending on the car.

I don't want to dispute what your garage says without the info.