kwik-fit shock absorber price, £350 for 1!!!

[Guest]

Hi, I've just been quoted £350 by kwik-fit to have my nearside rear shock absorber replaced!
They want £120 for the part and the rest is for 4 hours labour.
Has anyone else in the UK had a shock absorber replaced, how much did you pay??
I think the mazda dealer will charge about the same.
So, I need to know if it should be this expensive or if its a rip off. Any help appreciated.

[MikeUK]

OMG £230, 4Hrs, thats no Kwik-fit. Your being rinsed, It dosent take that long to change a shock. Tell them to go fly a kite.
There was a report a few months back about overcharging garages, Kwick-Fit was one of the top ones, private garages scored best.
Id go find a good private garage. Pref one that knows Jap cars.
Were do you live mate?

[Mr Mx]

Jesus! £350. Tell them where to shove that. Mike is right find a little back street garage somewhere. Proball do it for at least half that price.

[Jeremy UK]

I could change it in less than a hour, and thats using the jack that comes with the car! With a car ramp it should take no more than 30 mins. Where do you live Rich, if you want I could give you a hand to change it.

Jeremy

[Guest]

Thanks for the quick replies, my MOT runs out today, Im gonna take the car to a private garage who hasn't quoted me the labour price yet.
But they also want £120 for the shock absorber alone!
I think they are just ordering the part direct from the Liverpool Mazda dealer because its hard to find, thank god I only need one!

[MikeUK]

Thats prob the right price for the shock, Garages dont bother finding the cheepest one, they normally go straight to the main dealer.
Good luck finding a garage, let us know how much it costs.

[Guest]

£160 in the end from private garage, MOT'd up for another 12 months.
I think I went to a dodgy Kwik-Fit branch, I thought 4 hours seemed a bit much.

[MikeUK]

Was that £160 for the lot??
You cant get sh*tter than a slow fit fitter.

[paul ukmx3]

this may sound daft but if you get one side changed shouldnt you also change the other?