There's no general price list for vehicle repairs, as the cost will come down to labour and parts. Generally, the average hourly charge for mechanic labour is $100. On top of that, you'll have the costs of any parts used. 

How much is a service?
The AA reports that the average service cost is between $150 and $250, which will vary based on the make of your car. A basic service is available for around $50 from VTNZ.

For repairs, get a quote first and ask the right questions:

• ​Disagreements over price will arise when a mechanic and customer failed to agree on a cost before the work is done.
• Requesting a quote detailing the cost of a job will minimise the chances of any nasty billing surprises. Such a quote will formally set out the cost of a job so that you know what to expect. 

Whatever the issue with your car, when organising a quote, we suggest asking:

1. What is the estimate of the total cost to fix the problem(s)?
2. ​Is GST included? 15% adds up, so make sure the final price you hear and agree to is GST-inclusive. For example, $300 becomes $345 with GST included.
3. What is the guarantee period? You want a solution, not a short-term fix, so ask to make sure that the proposed solution offered is final.

In the age of internet reviews, this is much less common, but it still happens. According to the Consumer Guarantees Act, motorists are not liable to pay for any unauthorised work performed on cars - as long as they have been clear about the service's limits.
For example:

1. If you drop off your car at a garage and say "fix whatever is wrong with it", you will be required to pay the full amount for any work performed.
2. Alternatively, if you drop it in and ask for the mechanics to find out what's wrong with it, but they undertake repairs that are more than a minor 'fix', you are not liable to pay the bill without raising a dispute.
3. To ensure no disputes arise, it's always best to get a quote upfront.

​Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Lower Hutt. We have selected these mechanics based on their history of longstanding service within Lower Hutt, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.

No mechanic has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with any company appearing below.

Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with any of the mechanics listed on this page. Quotes and final bills for individual vehicle repairs vary, and our pricing guide is for guidance purposes only. 

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• Best Car Finance
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