It’s plainly (and occasionally painfully) obvious that the cost of parts will vary depending on brand, model and age of your vehicle.
Authorised dealerships will charge you a recommended retail price on genuine parts and, under their agreement with their manufacturer, can only fit genuine parts.
Independent repairers can choose to fit either genuine or aftermarket parts, and a good repairer will weigh up the best options for the car and the driver’s budget.
The good news for many drivers is that more brands, including prestige marques Mercedes-Benz and BMW, are sharpening their pencils when it comes to genuine parts pricing for consumables like filters.
Here’s an example for a 2016 Ford Ranger, 60K service:
The manufacturer’s schedule for the Ranger includes an oil and filter change, fuel filter and cabin (pollen) filter.
Based on Ford’s capped-price servicing website, this service at a Ford dealer would cost $570. Using the same genuine parts, we’ve calculated the service at an independent workshop is around $500.
Using aftermarket Ryco branded parts (one of the leaders in aftermarket filters and widely used in the automotive trade), the same service would finish up costing $495. Hardly a huge difference.
You will be able to source aftermarket parts that are more affordable than those from the well-respected Ryco brand, but beware of cheap knock-offs that may look like the real deal. There comes a point where finding the cheapest price at all costs is a false economy...
Are there differences in parts pricing depending on the country of origin of my vehicle?
Basic laws of supply and demand are at play here. If you drive a vehicle which is common on the road in Australia, then you’re likely to pay less for key service and repair parts and they will be more readily available.
Choose an obscure car that sells in the tens rather than the thousands each month, and you’re more likely to need manufacturer-sourced parts, so components will be priced higher overall. You may even need to wait for parts to arrive from overseas, as they are less likely to be kept in Australia.
Many customers worry that they're being taken for a ride by their mechanics, but in many cases there's a reason why the quote for your parts or service is higher than expected. If you're worried that the cost of your parts is excessive, obtain another quote and compare notes.
Declaration: in addition to being a contributor to carsales, the author of this advice guide is the co-owner and operator of an independent repair workshop.