2 hrs labor for battery replacement?

[Anonymous]

I recently had a battery replaced and the bill listed two hours of labor, plus the battery cost. Should replacing a battery take two hours? That seems like a lot to me, but I want to check before I contest. Not sure if it makes a difference, but it’s a Volkswagen, non-hybrid (are their batteries extra complicated or something?).

[Anonymous]

It should take 0.5 hours at most.

[Anonymous]

I’d call them on it

[Anonymous]

What was the labor charge for each hour? If it was $10/hour, then no problem. If it was $100/hour then yes, a problem.

Also, where is your battery? Is it under the hood of the car or is it in the back seat of the car or somewhere else?

Why don't you call the mechanic and ask him why he charged you 2 hours? I don't understand why you would pay a bill that you don't understand when the person that did the work would be right there, as opposed to coming home, looking at the bill and then writing to a bunch of internet strangers.

[Anonymous]

They might have be a minimum charge

[Anonymous]

The last couple of times I’ve needed a battery replaced, AAA came and replaced it. Took like 5 minutes.

[Anonymous]

I can replace my own battery in 5 minutes and the dealer might have a minimum of 15 or 30 minutes. Of course, my Dodge had the battery mounted under some AC plumbing, behind the front bumper. Replacing it required putting the car on the lift and removing the wheel and fender liner. Even then, 2 hours would be too much.

Call them and see what's the story.

[Anonymous]

OP whats the year make and model. I 'll check the repair blue book and see what it says time wise

had a chevy where it took an hour to replace a headlight bulb. designers, architects and engineers never have to work on the products they build. if they did, things would end up looking quite a bit different

[Anonymous]

AAA has replaced mine in my driveway in under 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP whats the year make and model. I 'll check the repair blue book and see what it says time wise

had a chevy where it took an hour to replace a headlight bulb. designers, architects and engineers never have to work on the products they build. if they did, things would end up looking quite a bit different

+1 DH is a motorhead, and he was complaining that modern cars are more complicated to do even a simple thing like replace the bulbs.

DH thinks they did this on purpose so that people can't DIY on simple tasks anymore. It's a money making scheme.

Back in the early 90s, even I used to replace the bulbs on my own car. Lot more complicated today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP whats the year make and model. I 'll check the repair blue book and see what it says time wise

had a chevy where it took an hour to replace a headlight bulb. designers, architects and engineers never have to work on the products they build. if they did, things would end up looking quite a bit different

+1 DH is a motorhead, and he was complaining that modern cars are more complicated to do even a simple thing like replace the bulbs.

DH thinks they did this on purpose so that people can't DIY on simple tasks anymore. It's a money making scheme.

Back in the early 90s, even I used to replace the bulbs on my own car. Lot more complicated today.

That's why I'm holding on to my nearly 15 year old Saab, super easy to access all areas, easy to maintain, parts still readily available (minus body panels).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They might have be a minimum charge

This was my first thought, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently had a battery replaced and the bill listed two hours of labor, plus the battery cost. Should replacing a battery take two hours? That seems like a lot to me, but I want to check before I contest. Not sure if it makes a difference, but it’s a Volkswagen, non-hybrid (are their batteries extra complicated or something?).

Most VWs use the 1.6T, 1.8T or 2.0T engine, in which case the battery is easily accessible either on top right or bottom right (driver side) of the engine compartment, so replacing a battery should take less than 15 mins, and perhaps 15 mins to prep or fill the battery etc, so 30 mins max.

[Anonymous]

When I bought my replacement battery at autozone the guy insisted on coming from behind the counter and putting it in my car.

[Anonymous]

Depends where it’s located. Some are buried under stuff, not all are under the hood.