£900 for Replacement springs and shock - Am I being ripped off?

[tastyfish]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long time lurker, but this is my first post after reading lots of useful guides and info from you guys, so thank you!

I have a 2008 A4 B8 2.7TDi Avant which I've just been told has failed its MOT with two broken springs and a leaking shock absorber. (Both passenger side). As I'm likely to be trading in, they are quoting to replace the rear pair of shocks and the passenger side springs. They are quoting £900.

Some alarm bells here: It's Halfords Autocentre and it sounds WAY too expensive to me, I have also not noticed any problem and certainly no bouncing or issue with the rear of the car.

Am I being conned here (the chap on the phone is adamant that the car "is too dangerous to drive and can't be moved from here"...


Thanks

Rob

[Crasher]

I can't be exact without a VIN but the most expensive genuine Audi spring is £122 and genuine Audi dampers are £112.40 each, both including VAT. The job would take about four hours so typically £200 in labour. £346.80 in parts plus some fasteners so at a specialist like me using genuine parts, £560 max. CAREFULLY selecting the springs from Suplex and the dampers from Sachs/Boge, you could knock £100 off that.

[tastyfish]

I can't be exact without a VIN but the most expensive genuine Audi spring is £122 and genuine Audi dampers are £112.40 each, both including VAT. The job would take about four hours so typically £200 in labour. £346.80 in parts plus some fasteners so at a specialist like me using genuine parts, £560 max. CAREFULLY selecting the springs from Suplex and the dampers from Sachs/Boge, you could knock £100 off that.

Thanks very much for that - as I suspected, they are taking the proverbial!

[b206]

Audi did my rear springs on an A3 for £300 - couldn't find an indie who could do it cheaper (with genuine parts).

[Crasher]

A3 8P rear springs are easy, they take 30 minutes to do a side and cost £30 each for Suplex, that's £150 tops, you need to find better specialists.....

[nevo]

You drove it in there so drive it out! if the ride height is roughly normal it'll be ok to drive home.

[FLAPPERJACK76]

Halfords are a 7 day operation that is heavily focused on profits. There are a lot of bad stories in the motor trade about them.

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