How much does a mechanic cost in the UK?

What you get for that

Servicing, brakes, batteries, diagnostics and repairs for cars, vans and motorbikes.

Typical jobs and what they go for

What changes the price for mechanics

• Parts. On most repairs the parts are half the bill or more. Genuine manufacturer parts cost noticeably more than good aftermarket equivalents, so ask which the quote assumes.
• The make and model. The same job can take twice as long on a different car. Rear brakes with an electronic handbrake need a diagnostic tool to release, and some engines have to come half apart to reach a part that takes minutes on another.
• Diagnosis first. A warning light is a symptom, not a job. Expect a diagnostic charge before a fixed quote, often taken off the bill if you go ahead with the repair.
• Where the car is parked. A mobile mechanic needs a flat, safe space to work. A driveway is ideal. A busy street, or a car park whose rules ban repairs, can rule some jobs out.

What is usually included

• Labour and the mechanic's own tools
• Taking away old oil, filters and parts
• Checking the repair works before they leave

And what is usually not

• Parts, unless the quote says they are included
• MOT tests, which only a DVSA-approved test centre can carry out
• Jobs that need a ramp or a workshop, such as most clutches and exhausts
• Air conditioning regas, which needs refrigerant handling certification

The one thing that saves the most money

Ask for the old parts back. It is the simplest proof the work was done, and the invoice that goes with it belongs in the service history, which is worth real money when you sell the car.