Ed China on EV potential rip off

[Dustydog]

This article is self explanatory.
Is it true or just scaremongering?

Former Wheeler Dealers star Edd China has admitted UK electric carowners could be overcharged by garages dealing with a common EV issue. The ex-host of the classic car restoration show and top mechanicsuggested that a welded contactor has the potential to even “write off” models in a serious blow.

A welded contactor means a vital EV component has been fused shut due to extreme current or heat. According to Edd, contactors are located “deep” underneath the vehicle, with garages likely to replace the whole batteryinstead of fixing the affected part. It could see road users end up paying up to £10,000 to fix the issue instead of just a couple of hundred pounds.

 

[Tobes]

IMHO it's neither true nor scaremongering. Garages will garage. There are those that will charge you for a new set of pads, disks and tyres when one tyre repair will suffice and there are those who will do what's right for the customer.

Now - having the right expertise to correctly diagnose and fix a problem is a different issue, and one that _could_ end up with this situation.

An example of the good guys. My son now owns my old 2016 Volvo V60 D6 PHEV. He was living in London in a flat an able to charge at home. Earlier this year on a trip to us we discovered that the AC mains charging no longer worked. We took the car to a tiny local independent garage who is a member of HEVRA (Hybrid and Electric Vehicle repair alliance). They diagnosed a faulty OBC (on board charger).

As he was planning to move house to a place where he can charge we decided it was worth getting fixed. The replacement new part from Volvo was an eyewatering £1000, plus labour + a trip to Volvo to have the part coded to the car - all in over £2500. At that price it was not worth it. However, with the local garage we found a company who could refurbish the origional part in 48 hours and have it back. The garage removed the unit, packed it up and sent it off, and refitted it 2 days later on its return. Net result £750, and a fully working charging unit, with a 2 year warranty.

The garage _could_ have recommended all sorts of work, but didn't, and the result was good.

 

[otherclive]

IMHO it's neither true nor scaremongering. Garages will garage. There are those that will charge you for a new set of pads, disks and tyres when one tyre repair will suffice and there are those who will do what's right for the customer.

Now - having the right expertise to correctly diagnose and fix a problem is a different issue, and one that _could_ end up with this situation.

An example of the good guys. My son now owns my old 2016 Volvo V60 D6 PHEV. He was living in London in a flat an able to charge at home. Earlier this year on a trip to us we discovered that the AC mains charging no longer worked. We took the car to a tiny local independent garage who is a member of HEVRA (Hybrid and Electric Vehicle repair alliance). They diagnosed a faulty OBC (on board charger).

As he was planning to move house to a place where he can charge we decided it was worth getting fixed. The replacement new part from Volvo was an eyewatering £1000, plus labour + a trip to Volvo to have the part coded to the car - all in over £2500. At that price it was not worth it. However, with the local garage we found a company who could refurbish the origional part in 48 hours and have it back. The garage removed the unit, packed it up and sent it off, and refitted it 2 days later on its return. Net result £750, and a fully working charging unit, with a 2 year warranty.

The garage _could_ have recommended all sorts of work, but didn't, and the result was good.

I’ve said on previous discussions on EVs that as they become more mainstream the motor industry will adapt to service and maintain them. There will be “indies” who know their stuff and have the right equipment. Also spare parts will become easier to obtain, non OEM, dismantlers, and as per your Volvo there will be companies that can refurbish parts. The thing these various suppliers need are sufficient parts, and work, to make their business viable. I suspect that at present most owners of EVs tend to use main dealers but just as with ICE market conditions will change to offer owners alternatives.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This article is self explanatory.
Is it true or just scaremongering?

Former Wheeler Dealers star Edd China has admitted UK electric carowners could be overcharged by garages dealing with a common EV issue. The ex-host of the classic car restoration show and top mechanicsuggested that a welded contactor has the potential to even “write off” models in a serious blow.

A welded contactor means a vital EV component has been fused shut due to extreme current or heat. According to Edd, contactors are located “deep” underneath the vehicle, with garages likely to replace the whole batteryinstead of fixing the affected part. It could see road users end up paying up to £10,000 to fix the issue instead of just a couple of hundred pounds.

Another click bait subject.

 

[Buckman]

Just like it cost thousands to repair a Jag if the oil seal between the gear box and engine failed. The seal only cost about £1, but labour was extensive.

 

[toad a caravan]

They may have taken a leaf out of the costs of caravan charges