BMW G80 M3 Competition NKZ917 with carbon fibre lip and BBS wheels outside EuroLab workshop in East Tamaki Auckland” />By Leo, Lead Technician – EuroLab Ltd, Auckland
Diagnosing issues with vehicles can be quite tricky for most mechanics as it is the most critical part of the job. Unfortunately, this is not a quality that one can teach, as it requires patience, determination, and knowledge in a particular system with the fault.
At times, some mechanics are accused of being dishonest. We disagree — it’s simply lack of knowledge.
The Misdiagnosis Trap
Surely you have been in a situation where your car had broken down; you took it to the mechanic, they diagnose it, quote you X amount of dollars, you authorise the work, only for them to call you back and say something else is faulty, and it’s going to cost you more. Usually, you are left upset and possibly thinking that the mechanic is trying to skim you for more money.
The truth is the mechanic had misdiagnosed your vehicle, bought a part based on that incorrect diagnosis.
The computer scan would have identified the affected part — however, that may have been the effect rather than the cause of the fault.
Now the mechanic is at a loss and does not know what to do, so he starts throwing parts at the problem and taking best guesses. Unfortunately, someone has to pay for that mistake and that someone is YOU!!
Our Approach: Cause and Effect
We flat out do not agree with this method nor approach on repairs.
While we do have the latest diagnostics equipment and computer scanners, we go through the following process:
Mercedes Xentry Diagnosis software showing fault codes inside vehicle” />- We read the faults on your vehicle
- We verify the faults via reading values at the time of fault and current values at diagnosis
- We evaluate the data to determine the cause and the effect of the fault
- Values are verified at the suspected faulty part with the help of further diagnostic tools
- Only then is a diagnosis completed, and we would be comfortable quoting the client
What Happens After Diagnosis
We acquire estimates on original parts — we don’t use substitutes or lower-grade replacement parts.
Then we communicate to the customer a quote for parts and labour times. Only when the customer agrees is the repair completed. The vehicle is tested to verify that the fault has been rectified and, only then, when the customer is completely satisfied with the repair, we complete the job.
Stuck in a Loop?
If your vehicle has been to 2–3 different mechanics and they cannot resolve the issue, or you have paid thousands and are still no better off — give the team at EuroLab a call. We enjoy and love these jobs.
