Does £360 for handbrake cable repairs on an older car sound fair?

[cuberoot]

Looking for perspectives as I have no understanding whatsoever about car parts.

The handbrake of my car (a 14 year old small city car) suddenly broke with a clear noise and I took it to the local garage. The mechanics there are usually lovely and honest - they have never tried to rob me despite me being a woman with a heavy foreign accent and a face that screams "I don't have a clue what the hell you are talking about". Last year someone broke my wing mirror and they even said "Get it off ebay and bring it to us".

But two cables and 2-3 hours of work, £360, does it sound right? My family abroad are horrified but I thought it might as well be totally normal over here, I just wanted to check. For reference I'm in a cheap area of the North West.

What do you reckon?

Knock off the vat and it £300. My local garage charge £65/hour, so 2 cables about £100 depending on the car that could be about right. Dr. Google will give you a price for replacement cables. In my experience it's main dealers who rip people off, as most of the bills are going to leasing companies, who have already factored in being ripped off into their lease charges.

I don't know about 'fair' but it's what I'd expect to pay.

OOI where are your family to expect it done much more cheaply?

Seems about right. Labour is normally about £70 - 80 per hour plus parts. I would expect to pay £300 to £350 for this including Vat.

This reassures me, thank you.
My dad (Southern Europe) is adamant that would be the hourly rate of a heart surgeon but down there it's a totally different ball game, I know.
ChatGPT said it expected £200-£250 so it's good to hear from real people.

Mine went last week and I paid £316

And genuine manufacturer parts are pricey.

In fairness to your dad, £60/hr IS the hourly rate of a heart surgeon…. 😂

I asked a petrol head

Price sounds about right

Parts, plus £80 per hour labour

I had the same issue last year and was charged £350. I trust my mechanic, been with them for years and have never felt ripped off by them.

ChatGPT sounds about right to me. What you have paid does sound pricy.