Our 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan was due this month for it's yearly State safety and emissions inspection. Given I was short on time I made an appointment at our local Dodge dealer's quick service dept.
Awhile back I had done a tire rotation on the van at home and did a visual on the brakes. All looked very well. Fast forward to inspection day, they failed it on worn rear brakes. The dealer wanted ~$430 for rear pads and rotors. Gasping at the price, I asked the service adviser if they could bring the cost down by using aftermarket parts. He said sure! I'll call Napa... That came back a whole $1.20 cheaper for the whole job. LOL!
I had them button the van back up, paid the $21 for a failed NY State inspection and I headed home. Again being pressed for time and wanted to get this done, I thought I try the busy mom and pop tire/repair shop up the road that I've used many times. They were able to get me in that afternoon. Sure enough. Failed. The mechanic brought me in one of the almost worn to the metal rear brake pads (inside pads were shot). Long story short, not wanting to go through a 3rd inspection, I had them replace the rear pads and rotors to the tune of $350 so I could get the new NYS inspection sticker put on the darn van. In almost 30yrs of vehicle ownership, I've always done brakes myself and I'm pretty sure I'll stay on top of that better from now on. I could have done all 4 brakes myself for less than that.
Surprisingly, the gap does seem to be shrinking between dealer service cost and independent shop cost.
Awhile back I had done a tire rotation on the van at home and did a visual on the brakes. All looked very well. Fast forward to inspection day, they failed it on worn rear brakes. The dealer wanted ~$430 for rear pads and rotors. Gasping at the price, I asked the service adviser if they could bring the cost down by using aftermarket parts. He said sure! I'll call Napa... That came back a whole $1.20 cheaper for the whole job. LOL!
I had them button the van back up, paid the $21 for a failed NY State inspection and I headed home. Again being pressed for time and wanted to get this done, I thought I try the busy mom and pop tire/repair shop up the road that I've used many times. They were able to get me in that afternoon. Sure enough. Failed. The mechanic brought me in one of the almost worn to the metal rear brake pads (inside pads were shot). Long story short, not wanting to go through a 3rd inspection, I had them replace the rear pads and rotors to the tune of $350 so I could get the new NYS inspection sticker put on the darn van. In almost 30yrs of vehicle ownership, I've always done brakes myself and I'm pretty sure I'll stay on top of that better from now on. I could have done all 4 brakes myself for less than that.
Surprisingly, the gap does seem to be shrinking between dealer service cost and independent shop cost.