Did I get ripped off?

I took my car for inspection last Tuesday.I knew my horn was bad and it needed to be replaced,and my high beam was not too strong.The guy called me back next day and said that my brake lights do not work,and my tie rods needed to be replaced.All that for 400 bucks.What do you think?I haven't even notice any difference with the new tie rods.Did I get ripped off?

Well most dealers charge around $50-$75 per hour. Your tie rods were around $10 -$20 each. Did they align your front end after installing the tie rod? If they did add the alignment too. $400 wouldn't be that bad.

Joe
Yes they did align the front end.
Thanks for the reply.

Lambros:

As part of the safety inspection, the tech checks for "wiggle" in the steering parts; ball joints or link pins, tie-rod ends and so forth. If they detect any kind of play at all (and YOU may not feel it while driving) then they generally replace what's worn, typically (on VW front ends) one or more tie-rod ends (and they may replace the rod if the threaded ends are really rusted). I honestly haven't ever seen a VW ball joint wear out, since the front end is so light, but I'm sure a few of them do now and then if they're never lubed.

I agree with Joe - My wife's Honda dealer charges $82/hr labor alone (I almost fainted and am now fixing her Honda myself) so fixing all that stuff AND doing a front-end alignment for $400 ain't all that bad.

What caused me to almost faint was the 60,000 mile service bill from Honda (warranty ran out at 50,000 miles ) for a mere $910. (!?!?!?!)

Lambros,

You did VERY well getting all that work for $400.00! Around here local shops are all getting $65 per hour with $100. minimum labor for any work performed, except for oil changes and tire mounting/patching.

Two of my local VW guys with small private shops each quoted around $400 to replace my tie rod ends, ball joints and spindles, etc... not counting parts. Sounds like you paid a fair price.

Tony