Please help a London newbie not get ripped off!

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Please help a London newbie not get ripped off!

Joined
May 27, 2016
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Hi!
I'm new here. I absolutely love my 2010 Fiat 500 and have for 4 years. She's just become quite expensive though. I took her to her annual service (costs £168). They recommended a brake service (which I was surprised is no longer included in the service), some unimportant bits and also...to replace the cambelt due to age rather than mileage (which is quite low). The cambelt change was quoted at £1500! I don't know much about cars, but I would've thought it would cost less than half that. Can anyone recommend a good garage in London (preferably East/Central London) that will cost me less? (probably everywhere, since the total cost for their suggestions is nearly £3000). Thanks muchly for helping a newbie :)
 
Hi!
I'm new here. I absolutely love my 2010 Fiat 500 and have for 4 years. She's just become quite expensive though. I took her to her annual service (costs £168). They recommended a brake service (which I was surprised is no longer included in the service), some unimportant bits and also...to replace the cambelt due to age rather than mileage (which is quite low). The cambelt change was quoted at £1500! I don't know much about cars, but I would've thought it would cost less than half that. Can anyone recommend a good garage in London (preferably East/Central London) that will cost me less? (probably everywhere, since the total cost for their suggestions is nearly £3000). Thanks muchly for helping a newbie :)

Hi, and welcome, :)

the Cambelt is normally changed as a kit;
bearing. belt and waterpump, so 3 x parts = @£100

and an hours labour, in London = @£100

+VAT of course.

- brakes go to quik-fit type places, as their hourly labour rate is @50% cheaper, and there is NOTHING special about a 500's brakes,

Member dave, had a recommendation of a place on the Essex borders.

Charlie - Oxford
 
Thanks so much! :) That's super helpful. dave (I haven't found out how to tag someone in the forum yet) - what's your recommended garage? It was Glyn Hopkin Chadwell Heath who quoted me over a grand to replace the cam belt.
 
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