Maintenance Tips
More than 85% of all National Parts Inventory is less than 6 month old
The National Average during the last 3 months shows that 85% of all Dealer Parts Inventory is aged less than 6 months. On average, 7% of all Dealer Parts Inventory is aged between 7 – 12 months, 4% is aged 13 – 24 months and 4% is aged more than 25 months.
(Click graph to enlarge)
Parts Age by Category
(All Makes / All States / All Age Categories)
Average Customer Labour Sales on the Increase
The National Average Labour Dollar spend per Customer Repair Order increased by over $12.00 in July, and has continued to increase in August.
Ford now has the highest Average Labour Dollar spend per Customer Repair Order of the top 5 selling makes, edging in front of Holden… Both are significantly higher than the National Average benchmark. Mazda’s increase in July was less than Hyundai’s, both are now just above the National Average. Toyota have consistently remained under the National Average, recording a decreasing trend over the last 12 months, and clearly have the lowest Average Labour Dollar spend per Customer Repair Order of the top 5 selling makes. Click to enlarge
Customer Labour Sales per Repair Order
(Ford / Holden / Hyundai / Mazda / Toyota)
Service Sales diminishing however some Brands are faring better than others
Average sales value per repair order continues to diminish, dropping by $66 or 17% over last 5 weeks trading.
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Upon investigation of the decline in average sales value, $43 of the reduction is in parts sales per repair order. Parts sold per repair order have dropped from $128 in March 2009 to $85 in early May 2009 trading being a 33% decline.
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How To Avoid Repair Rip-offs
Let’s face it, not everyone is as honest as we would like. What’s more, those individuals who are in a position to have trust them blindly are often the ones to lie to us so boldly. Now, this isn’t to say that everyone is a liar and a thief, but it pays to be cautious.
When it comes to car repairs, many new drivers or those inexperienced in dealing with garages will find the entire process frustrating and even confusing. Mechanics will often assume that drivers will know the components of their cars and how it all goes together. Doctors are often guilty of this as well. In most cases, the mechanic is not attempting to rip the vehicle owner off, to them it is common knowledge and sometimes they do forget that not everyone is as well versed as they are.
However, there a hand full of unscrupulous repair shops that uses such talk to their advantage. When you place your car in the care of a repair shop you have no choice but to take their word as gospel concerning your car. After all, they are in a position of authority and are trained in car repair. Knowing this shady mechanics will use fast talk and technical terms to their advantage to charge you for items that you either did not need or that simply do not exist.
That is why having even a rudimentary knowledge about your car is so important. Many automobile types will have common ailments which you can easily search for online. Other car repairs are common for all types and are usually the result of the same problem. This way you can, hopefully, spot when an unscrupulous mechanic is trying to take you for a ride.
Home Maintenance Tips: What Should You Do To Keep Your Car In Working Order
It is surprising how many car owners allow their vehicles to fall into disrepair even though the car is their only mode of transportation, as well as a huge purchase. Being neglectful of the car causes some rather large problems and often times results in the purchase of a new one as repairs can get far too costly. Keeping the car, not just in working order, but in good working order, is just plain smart and healthy for all parties involved.
The thing is, a car that runs well is just a smart idea. The potential for accidents, breakdowns, and major mechanical failure is drastically reduced when the car is in good condition. Not only is this so, but a car in good condition easy on the eyes, ears, and the passengers. Simply put, a car that is sputtering and vibrating is far less desirable than one with a smooth ride and a quiet purr. The task of maintaining the car in good working order may seem a daunting one, but most of it is just common sense and practical steps that any owner should implement.
The first step is done even before the car is in your possession. Buy a car that has a record for reliability and dependability. Understand that all cars are not created equal and if you have specialized needs and performance requirements, purchase a car that can meet or exceed these. Research and ask questions before putting down the money for that car. A car with a good record will pretty much guarantee, but not all the time, that few repairs will be needed as long as the car is kept tuned and in check which brings us to another way to keep the car running well.
Service the car as often as required or as needed. Whenever a problem does arise do not hesitate in taking care of the problem. Some issues can be addressed by the owner while some, unfortunately, need the attention of a mechanic. The Owner’s Manual is a great resource that allows you to know when and what needs to be replaced or looked at.