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Old 02-06-2021, 01:00 PM   #1
Top_Ghia
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Bossxr8 View Post
Why would any car in this day and age even need the tappets adjusted?



Do they expect it to need a valve regrind too?



That sort of thing went out decades ago.


Not on all cars. Quite a few are either adjustable or shim type. Land cruiser is shims. Isuzu Ute is adjustable up until 2021. A lot of Mitsubishi are adjustable. Just because it’s not the latest tech doesn’t mean it’s still not used.

Oh what a feeling like to charge you for valve clearances on their services. But most dealers don’t stock shims. They’ll tell you they order them as needed but that’s complete rubbish.
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Old 02-06-2021, 02:23 PM   #2
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Top_Ghia View Post
Not on all cars. Quite a few are either adjustable or shim type. Land cruiser is shims. Isuzu Ute is adjustable up until 2021. A lot of Mitsubishi are adjustable. Just because it’s not the latest tech doesn’t mean it’s still not used.

Oh what a feeling like to charge you for valve clearances on their services. But most dealers don’t stock shims. They’ll tell you they order them as needed but that’s complete rubbish.
Landcruiser and latest tech. Pick one.
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Old 02-06-2021, 08:42 PM   #3
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Bossxr8 View Post
Why would any car in this day and age even need the tappets adjusted?

Do they expect it to need a valve regrind too?

That sort of thing went out decades ago.
Your Right there Boss...it wasnt the tappet adjustment itself that concerned me, it was the principal of it, they wanted to charge for something they diddnt do.

Why Suzuki says they need that is unto themselves..perhaps the older technology is more reliable?.

Nevertheless we shouldn't be charged for something that isn't done.

This is straight out of the Shop Manual:

If valve clearance is out of specification, record valve clearance and adjust it to specification.
Valve clearance specification
When cold (ECT: 15 - 25 degrees C (59 - 77 degrees F)):
^Intake: 0.16 - 0.24 mm (0.0063 - 0.0094 in.)^Exhaust: 0.31 - 0.39 mm (0.0123 - 0.0153 in.)Adjustment1) Remove tappet to be replaced.
2) Select proper size of tappet as follows.a) Using micrometer, measure the thickness of the removed tappet (1).
b) Calculate the thickness of new tappet by formula below.NOTE:
If the number at second places of decimal point A is odd number, use (A - 0.01) tappet.Intake side:
A= B + C - 0.20 mm (0.0079 in.)
Exhaust side:
A= B + C - 0.35 mm (0.0138 in.)
A: Thickness "" of new tappet
B: Thickness "" of removed tappet
C: Measured valve clearance
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Old 17-06-2021, 07:59 AM   #4
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz View Post
It's no wonder so many things have become disposable, and cars are following.

Less and less consumers know or care about how their car works. But at the same time they are becoming more consumer-savvy and more forthright.

Now this SHOULD compel dealers, parts-retailers, recyclers (wreckers), and repairers, to become better communicators, more responsive, and more transparent, but instead they all seem to have run in the opposite direction.

Even companies which hold themselves out to be specialists, seem to be only interested in performing over-priced oil-changes.
There's issues in the automotive repair industry over information access, in Australia a independent repairer has no access to service/repair information like they do by law in the USA.

Ricky Muir was making great strides in rectifying this, then the double dissolution election happened and our man in parliament got shafted

https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/repair#draft

There's discussions about 'right of repair' happening at the government level at the moment.

I'll touch base on more of my experiences as someone who works in this industry
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Old 17-06-2021, 10:38 AM   #5
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo View Post
There's issues in the automotive repair industry over information access, in Australia a independent repairer has no access to service/repair information like they do by law in the USA.

Ricky Muir was making great strides in rectifying this, then the double dissolution election happened and our man in parliament got shafted

https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/repair#draft

There's discussions about 'right of repair' happening at the government level at the moment.

I'll touch base on more of my experiences as someone who works in this industry
The same issues cross over into the Earthmoving, Agriculture& transport Too..

The OEM's are incredibly possessive of THEIR intellectual Property..

I sincerely hope We end with right to repair Laws like the U.S.A.
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Old 17-06-2021, 12:31 PM   #6
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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I sincerely hope We end with right to repair Laws like the U.S.A.
It would be nice; good for the economy, education, employment. But frankly, the way our governments treat us they are more likely to support a large organisation prosecuting the “Everyman” for accessing and possessing/distributing information that the corporation will claim is their sole right within Australia.
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Old 17-06-2021, 10:37 PM   #7
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by hayseed View Post
The same issues cross over into the Earthmoving, Agriculture& transport Too..

The OEM's are incredibly possessive of THEIR intellectual Property..

I sincerely hope We end with right to repair Laws like the U.S.A.
They try block it at every turn, independents have absolutely no chance against the dealership network and the car manufacturers protecting their turf, you just don't have access to the information, hell even trying to buy a manufacturers diagnostic tool is a hassle.

Aftermarket diagnostic tools, you can't just buy one and it works with everything, some models do certain brands better than others, then if you have a car like a Falcon which is electrically an orphan in the Ford family, no one really does it too well compared to stuff from Ford Europe because of its limited market, these companies don't invest too much into catering for those models.

I was friendly with a couple of local workshops so we all bought different brands, so we could borrow each others diagnostic scanners if our own one wouldn't cut the mustard.

This all has ongoing costs, not just the up front costs but the access to the updates, its usually included in the purchase price for 1-2 years, then afterwards its four figures per year for the updates depending on which one you have.

The genuine Ford one is reasonably priced, I think the buy price was only $3800 USD + $660 USD/year for the updates.

We used to have Mercedes STAR diagnostic system we shared between us and our Sydney branch where I did my apprenticeship, they'd freight it down to us to do the programming of Mercedes Sprinter PSM

It was $20K per YEAR.

The thing with the automotive industry its a 'sunset' industry, there's not much difference between workshop pricing and someone here walking in and buying over the counter, more and more people provide their own parts, hell I still have 30 day accounts with a dealership and a major auto electrical supplier, so I also source my own parts and supply them.

You can't get repair information on cars out of manufacturers in Australia, they have no obligations to supply it, there is no 'right of repair' legislation either, when I was an apprentice, the TAFE I went to, did the training for Nissan technicians for their EV course, but it wasn't open to any other kids, was just for Nissan

Add in the costs of your ever increasing overheads unless you own the building you're in, the lack of support if you need it, the low margins, the low wages and now there's a shortage of LV mechanics and auto electricians because of the pandemic closing off 457 visas, that's why you get people who just want to do oil and filter as its an easy in/out.

Kids don't really want to work in the industry, there's also a push at a high school level for kids to go into university instead of trades. The kids who do go into trades go into construction trades - thats where the money is, a 240V electrician or a plumber has a Thailand Special and a tool trailer with a couple thousand bucks worth of tools, they don't need diagnostic scanners with yearly updates that cost 4 figures or specialist tools for this and that car to do particular jobs etc.

Also the way the industry is, company cars being serviced at dealerships, new cars financed and accessory fitment handled by the dealership so its all on one invoice etc the independent is losing out.

The guys who work at dealerships wake up wondering how many major services they're going to do today, on the same cars, day in day out.

Nugget Garage did a good video recently on getting out of the general mechanical and accessory fitment side and focusing just on tuning, he mentioned a lot of what I've covered as well.

To a degree I get people whinging about $165 inc GST hourly labour rate at work, so I take them on a tour of our production facility, point out the $300,000/year in rent, 2x $250,000 CNC machines, introduce them to the bloke who operates them, take them by the 10 people who do the assembly work, the warehouse, show them our stock on the shelves.

Plus the other 20 people they don't see who are in interstate branches.

One of our competitors closed up shop recently, they have a 100+ year history, they were sitting on over $20M worth of land - manufacturing business or sell their property and capitalise on the gains from the land?

From the perspective of an automotive workshop its a hard business to 'scale up' too.

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Old 20-06-2021, 01:48 PM   #8
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo View Post
They try block it at every turn, independents have absolutely no chance against the dealership network and the car manufacturers protecting their turf, you just don't have access to the information, hell even trying to buy a manufacturers diagnostic tool is a hassle.

Aftermarket diagnostic tools, you can't just buy one and it works with everything, some models do certain brands better than others, then if you have a car like a Falcon which is electrically an orphan in the Ford family, no one really does it too well compared to stuff from Ford Europe because of its limited market, these companies don't invest too much into catering for those models.

I was friendly with a couple of local workshops so we all bought different brands, so we could borrow each others diagnostic scanners if our own one wouldn't cut the mustard.

This all has ongoing costs, not just the up front costs but the access to the updates, its usually included in the purchase price for 1-2 years, then afterwards its four figures per year for the updates depending on which one you have.

The genuine Ford one is reasonably priced, I think the buy price was only $3800 USD + $660 USD/year for the updates.

We used to have Mercedes STAR diagnostic system we shared between us and our Sydney branch where I did my apprenticeship, they'd freight it down to us to do the programming of Mercedes Sprinter PSM

It was $20K per YEAR.

The thing with the automotive industry its a 'sunset' industry, there's not much difference between workshop pricing and someone here walking in and buying over the counter, more and more people provide their own parts, hell I still have 30 day accounts with a dealership and a major auto electrical supplier, so I also source my own parts and supply them.

You can't get repair information on cars out of manufacturers in Australia, they have no obligations to supply it, there is no 'right of repair' legislation either, when I was an apprentice, the TAFE I went to, did the training for Nissan technicians for their EV course, but it wasn't open to any other kids, was just for Nissan

Add in the costs of your ever increasing overheads unless you own the building you're in, the lack of support if you need it, the low margins, the low wages and now there's a shortage of LV mechanics and auto electricians because of the pandemic closing off 457 visas, that's why you get people who just want to do oil and filter as its an easy in/out.

Kids don't really want to work in the industry, there's also a push at a high school level for kids to go into university instead of trades. The kids who do go into trades go into construction trades - thats where the money is, a 240V electrician or a plumber has a Thailand Special and a tool trailer with a couple thousand bucks worth of tools, they don't need diagnostic scanners with yearly updates that cost 4 figures or specialist tools for this and that car to do particular jobs etc.

Also the way the industry is, company cars being serviced at dealerships, new cars financed and accessory fitment handled by the dealership so its all on one invoice etc the independent is losing out.

The guys who work at dealerships wake up wondering how many major services they're going to do today, on the same cars, day in day out.

Nugget Garage did a good video recently on getting out of the general mechanical and accessory fitment side and focusing just on tuning, he mentioned a lot of what I've covered as well.

To a degree I get people whinging about $165 inc GST hourly labour rate at work, so I take them on a tour of our production facility, point out the $300,000/year in rent, 2x $250,000 CNC machines, introduce them to the bloke who operates them, take them by the 10 people who do the assembly work, the warehouse, show them our stock on the shelves.

Plus the other 20 people they don't see who are in interstate branches.

One of our competitors closed up shop recently, they have a 100+ year history, they were sitting on over $20M worth of land - manufacturing business or sell their property and capitalise on the gains from the land?

From the perspective of an automotive workshop its a hard business to 'scale up' too.
My wife got stung $270 from Plummer to unblock a drain, it took 20min for 2 blokes to do.
I am a Contractor Tiler and if I can make $300 a day I am having a good day. other days I may of worked 10hr day and earn nothing at all, just getting f ed over by incompetent builders who don't give a rats if you are making money or not.
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Old 02-06-2021, 12:55 PM   #9
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

I had one notable dishonesty (ive had a couple minor dishonesties) many years ago. I got rear ended so put the car into the panel beaters insurance said to go to. It was just a replacement rear bumper so new bar and some paint on it. Go to pick up the car and i noticed half the front bar had also been resprayed and my wind screen was smashed. The panel beater tried the excuse of the front was probably a repair from the past owner and tried the excuse of the car was sitting in the sun and that smashed the windscreen. What a load of ****. The *** kissing instantly started when i said i am the past owner. Well, sorta, my mum bought the car brand new and it had never been in an accident before, before i got rear ended. So yeah, they crashed my car and tried to hide it. They did replace my windscreen for free, and so they should. But still, its a smash repairer, but appart from moving the car around the car park or in the shop, they should have no reason to drive the car on the streets. Mechanics doing a test drive to test their work, yes. Panel beaters no. Paint has nothing to do with how a car runs.
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Old 09-06-2021, 06:08 PM   #10
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Found this gem on a local workshop's website:
Quote:
Checking engine oil level and coolant level are two prime factors that Mechanical Workshop Perth takes care of on a priority basis. To check engine oil you have to locate the oil dipstick, pull it out and wipe it clean. By pushing it back and pulling it out you can check the oil level. For coolant level, you can check the low and high markings outside the reservoir. You can experience how the technicians do not take the radiator cap off to check coolant levels, because hot coolant system is still under pressure and the pressure release might burn.
Supports my conclusion that the human race is indeed getting stupider.
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Old 09-06-2021, 06:46 PM   #11
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

More stupid, post below
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Old 09-06-2021, 06:47 PM   #12
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz View Post
Found this gem on a local workshop's website:


Supports my conclusion that the human race is indeed getting stupider.
More Stupid
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Old 09-06-2021, 11:30 PM   #13
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Certainly not an easy task as a workshop or as a customer..

I tend to do most servicing and smaller tasks myself, but there are times where the hoist really makes it more economical to pass the job over to a shop.

Like most people here, I don't need the cheapest price.. but I want honest work completed. I don't want to be overcharged, sold parts I don't need, or have dodgy work completed.

If something else needs fixing and it makes sense labour wise to do it, let's talk and make it happen.

I've found the better workshops certainly have a delay.. sometimes several weeks before they can fit you in.. and the one I've been using has been great in having an actual mechanic behind the counter, meaning when you call to discuss a job they actually know what's involved. Can talk the talk, and still gets on the tools as well.
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Old 10-06-2021, 03:44 PM   #14
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Read most of these posts and agree in summary a good mechanic is hard to find, but strangly enough my old 2001 forester i owned until recently I took to Subaru for minor to major fixes and even my 2006 impreza that when the clutch decided to fail in sydney but still drivable if you know how to use a car without a throw out bearing lol quoated a job 300 dollars less then local guy that specialises in gearboxes only...

I used to go to Repco franchised shop in Dubbo Forro maybe cause we and the owner (Forro) were friendly and he was a down to earth bloke, he'd charge book prices on most and couple of bucks jobs on others
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Old 15-06-2021, 08:10 PM   #15
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

No names, no pack drill on this one!
25 or so years ago, or so, I had the displeasure of agreeing to do a bit of work for a guy who imported trucks of a certain make into Australia.
He was a shonk, scammer, wheeler dealer without any morals, ethics or conscience!

One day he asked me to do a certain job on a steering arm on a 10 cubic metre tipper, he had done a certain conversion to change it from one model to another, he gave me 2 different steering arms, with 2 different female splines and said, " here cut these 2 and make 1 out of both with tha same splines "....I said to him I couldn't do it?...he said why not, I said cos its bloody illegal, he said so what, no one will know, I said I would and I am not doing it full stop!

This guy would not let up, I said just buy a new one, he said I can't, he said he would have to change the steering box and he didn't have time to find one, I said if this breaks with 10 tonne of load its gonna be an outta control missile?
And they will trace it to you, then me as the welder and you would deny you ordered me to do it!
He just smiled and said he would be on a plane to America before it got to him, I told him to shove his job "where a duck couldn't stick its beak" and packed my tools and left.

I saw the truck on the road a few times and always wondered if he did the steering arm repair/fix, but I wasn't game to ask the owner driver, he was the Chapter President of a very well known OMG, I often wonder who they got after me, whoever it was they had to be good at their job, but pretty thick on the common sense scale!



Cheers King Billy
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Old 15-06-2021, 09:44 PM   #16
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Hi guys,
I cant mention any names but i heard this story and the guy that told me was working in the Motor Industry and i know he was telling the truth when he told me.

It was a Dealer Ship and the Mechanic was doing a service on a car and had drained the oil when he was called away to do another job by the Service Manager.

When he go back to the car that he had drained the oil out of he took it down on the hoist and started up the engine. The engine temp when right up and he shut the car down and told the service manager " he forgot to put the new oil in and also told him about the engine temp.

He was told by the service manager " let the engine cool down put the new oil in and dont tell the customer".

"Glad it wasn't my car"
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Old 16-06-2021, 12:02 AM   #17
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Quote:
Originally Posted by slowsnake View Post
No names, no pack drill on this one!

25 or so years ago, or so, I had the displeasure of agreeing to do a bit of work for a guy who imported trucks of a certain make into Australia.

He was a shonk, scammer, wheeler dealer without any morals, ethics or conscience!



One day he asked me to do a certain job on a steering arm on a 10 cubic metre tipper, he had done a certain conversion to change it from one model to another, he gave me 2 different steering arms, with 2 different female splines and said, " here cut these 2 and make 1 out of both with tha same splines "....I said to him I couldn't do it?...he said why not, I said cos its bloody illegal, he said so what, no one will know, I said I would and I am not doing it full stop!



This guy would not let up, I said just buy a new one, he said I can't, he said he would have to change the steering box and he didn't have time to find one, I said if this breaks with 10 tonne of load its gonna be an outta control missile?

And they will trace it to you, then me as the welder and you would deny you ordered me to do it!

He just smiled and said he would be on a plane to America before it got to him, I told him to shove his job "where a duck couldn't stick its beak" and packed my tools and left.



I saw the truck on the road a few times and always wondered if he did the steering arm repair/fix, but I wasn't game to ask the owner driver, he was the Chapter President of a very well known OMG, I often wonder who they got after me, whoever it was they had to be good at their job, but pretty thick on the common sense scale!







Cheers King Billy


It does happen. Years ago someone did a dodgy repair on a truck axle. 10 years later that axle broke and the wheel came off and killed a roadside worker.
VicRoads traced the repair back 10 years and prosecuted the repairer and they did jail time.
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Old 20-06-2021, 12:42 PM   #18
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

legislation has been passed to rectify this situation
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Old 20-06-2021, 12:50 PM   #19
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Sorry ratter, but I was looking for a link?


Cheers King Billy
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Old 20-06-2021, 07:32 PM   #20
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

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legislation has been passed to rectify this situation
It literally only passed three days ago:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary...sult?bId=r6695

Its not like its going to be fixed tomorrow morning though, you can just now buy information from the manufacturer

Quote:
Mr SUKKAR (Deakin—Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing) (09:46): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This bill establishes a mandatory scheme to promote competition in the Australian automotive sector by requiring all motor vehicle service and repair information be made available for purchase by independent repairers at a fair market price.

Motor vehicle servicing and repair is a $23 billion industry in Australia with nearly 35,000 businesses employing over 106,000 Australians.

Currently, around one in 10 motor vehicles taken to repair workshops are affected by a lack of access to service and repair information.

When this is the case, it results in higher service costs for consumers. This is because there is little choice as to where a vehicle, particularly newer models, can be repaired safely and efficiently.

The 2017 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) market study into the sector found that a lack of access to service and repair information was causing delays and detriment to consumers.

The ACCC's market study also found that independent repairers were not often given fair access to the information they need to do their job safely and effectively.

The scheme will mandate that all service and repair information that car manufacturers share with their dealership networks must also be made available to all independent repairers and registered trading organisations to purchase.

The objectives of the scheme, as set out in the bill, are to:

promote competition between Australian repairers of passenger and light goods motor vehicles and establish a fair playing field by mandating access to diagnostic, repair and servicing information on fair and reasonable commercial terms;

enable consumers to have those vehicles diagnosed, repaired, serviced, modified or dismantled safely and efficiently by a repairer of their choice;

encourage the provision of accessible and affordable information to repairers and registered training organisations;

protect safety and security information about those vehicles to ensure the safety and security of consumers, information users and the general public; and

provide for the low-cost resolution of disputes that could occur under the scheme.

To promote competition and ensure the provision of accessible and affordable information, scheme information must be offered at a price that does not exceed fair market value. Fair market value allows for cost recovery and a reasonable profit margin.

'Fair market value' is a recognised concept in both Australian law and an international context. When undertaking regulatory action, it is established practice to ascertain fair market value by using an objective test.

The factors to be taken into account in setting fair market value include the price charged to other repairers, reasonable recovery of costs, and the prices for information in overseas markets.

To support consumer choice of repairer, the majority of vehicles on Australian roads will be captured by this scheme, including passenger and light-goods vehicles manufactured from 2002. Again, this approach is consistent with similar arrangements in overseas jurisdictions.

As you would expect, widespread access to safety and security information would create unacceptable risks to vehicle safety and security. Therefore, information related to safety and security will be available only to individuals who have the appropriate qualifications. This will of course protect consumers, repairers, and, again, the general public.

Further information on the requirements for individuals accessing this information will be set out in scheme rules, which will be consulted on shortly.

The government has been working closely with industry to develop technical aspects of the scheme's design, and we've consulted extensively throughout the duration of the development of the scheme to ensure that it is effective, fair and safe.

Ongoing industry cooperation will be crucial to the scheme's success. Therefore, a statutory adviser will be established and will have a key role in the day-to-day operation of the scheme. Importantly, the adviser will play a key role in assisting with the mediation of disputes and reporting to the government on the operation of the scheme.

The government intends for the adviser position to be conferred on a joint-industry led organisation that will have the technical expertise, experience and relationships within the automotive industry to support the scheme.

Based on successful arrangements in the United States, industry representatives have advised me that this joint-industry led organisation will run an online portal to facilitate easy access to and supply of information for those that wish to participate. The government will provide a $250,000 grant to facilitate online access to service and repair information.

This bill also provides a strong incentive to comply with these new obligations, with a maximum penalty of $10 million to apply in circumstances where data providers fail to comply with the scheme. The ACCC will be responsible for monitoring compliance and taking any action where necessary.

This bill includes significant reforms to the service and repair industry that has been made possible only through a strong partnership with industry, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the five signatories to the existing voluntary agreement for the work and engagement they have undertaken to date and thank them in advance for the work that will be done to ensure this scheme's success.

Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

Debate adjourned.
https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo...651d%2F0014%22

It took FIVE YEARS from being on the radar, to legislation passing both houses in parliament:

https://www.caradvice.com.au/457672/...e-of-practice/

Its a step in the right direction and I hope it makes things a bit easier for independent repairers.

Last edited by Franco Cozzo; 20-06-2021 at 07:41 PM.
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Old 20-06-2021, 09:14 PM   #21
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Yeah will interesting to see if the stat write off rules change.The rules were brought about by the manufacturers get in some pollies ear and convincing said pollie that any damaged car was a hazard if allowed back on the road irregardless of the extent of the damage.Small bend in a chassis rail,stat write off fresh water up to the sill panel,stat write off,just a couple of examples of stupidity.Ins Co,s hated it because the value of slightly damaged cars fell through the floor
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Old 20-06-2021, 09:22 PM   #22
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I think now the insurers like the laws. There are less repairs they have to warrant, and the replacement cars people buy are likely to come with a larger premium for insurance. It’s just a modern Australian thing, really - most European manufacturers detail the steps for significant fixes including full rail replacement, rear floors up to the back seat, complete pillars and a large variety of sectional repairs. Ford even covered this for the Falcons and Territories.
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Old 20-06-2021, 09:29 PM   #23
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I think now the insurers like the laws. There are less repairs they have to warrant, and the replacement cars people buy are likely to come with a larger premium for insurance. It’s just a modern Australian thing, really - most European manufacturers detail the steps for significant fixes including full rail replacement, rear floors up to the back seat, complete pillars and a large variety of sectional repairs. Ford even covered this for the Falcons and Territories.
Haven’t been in the motor industry for a few years now,but major repair sections were always available including fully panelled body shells for a few different makes,but with the stat write off rules,you couldn’t even rebuild using a new body
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Old 21-06-2021, 12:21 PM   #24
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

After reading the post about the overheads owning a mechanic workshop, I understand why there's a shortage. Add in Gen Y / Z who seen to be still falling for the "I need a university degree for a career" that's no wonder there's a trade shortage!!

Plumbers. They do charge extortion type prices. Yeah I know that they have overheads and tools.... But how many experienced plumbers live in a 2 bedroom unit driving a ute that's okay than 5 years lol.

Sprinkler fitters do really well. Friends son is 26 and has 2 properties nearly paid off and he's building his first masion now.

BIL drives tankers. $140k plus. Horrible hours though.
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Old 21-06-2021, 12:39 PM   #25
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

In any trade there is always a few dumb spuds. Ive seen a lot come and go when i was on the tools. Things ranging from customer complaints due to taking too long, not doing their job properly, replacing expensive parts without consulting the customer, lack of general customer service, all that sort of thing. A lot of these potatoes are just good at job interviews, but not their jobs. Its the times when they either lose a customer, or customers specifically ask for said person not to be sent next time is what puts nails in coffins.
For me, just in lamens terms (clients dont typically care about the technical stuff) explaining why the issue arouse etc, would bring positive feedback to my then office. Plus it wasnt too uncommon for if say the clients office was having a catered staff lunch being asked to stick around. Cant complain about a free lunch.
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Old 21-06-2021, 05:36 PM   #26
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You blokes just reminded me Im yet to receive my bill from my plumber.....he unblocked my drains easily 4 weeks ago.
Theyre not all about the moneygrab.
I recall this guy sorting me out on Australia Day one year. Wife was 8months preggo and knowing that was at my place in 20 minutes...charged me standard rate while i knocked back a few beers with hottest100 cranked.

Ive just sent him a txt to remind him about the missing invoice
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Old 21-06-2021, 06:45 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by ford71V8 View Post
You blokes just reminded me Im yet to receive my bill from my plumber.....he unblocked my drains easily 4 weeks ago.
Theyre not all about the moneygrab.
I recall this guy sorting me out on Australia Day one year. Wife was 8months preggo and knowing that was at my place in 20 minutes...charged me standard rate while i knocked back a few beers with hottest100 cranked.

Ive just sent him a txt to remind him about the missing invoice
Boy or Girl...???
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Old 22-06-2021, 09:57 AM   #28
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Boy or Girl...???
Boy. Last of 5, hes got an older bro and 3 big sisters
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Old 21-06-2021, 07:58 PM   #29
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Default Re: Psychos in the Auto-Repair Business

Considering plumbers touch s*^t for a living, I’m happy to pay whatever they want.
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Old 21-06-2021, 08:08 PM   #30
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Considering plumbers touch s*^t for a living, I’m happy to pay whatever they want.


Could be fun?
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