I own a 2007 Super V8. I have the Select Edition Warranty. The airbag light was on at all times and my driver's side headrest was not functioning properly. I brought the car into the the dealer hoping that both items would be covered by the warranty. Well, the headrest issue was covered by the warranty and a new motor was installed to resolve the problem. The airbag issue, however, was not covered by the warranty. I wound up spending $897.79 that I did not expect to have to spend.
I was charged a $145.00 diagnostic fee (even though I already knew it was the clock spring and that code 19 had been flashing).
I was charged $235.00 for the clockspring (cassette cancellation module).
And I was charged $219.00 for labor.
Thus, I spent $599.00 on just the airbag issue. I know some have replaced the clockspring themselves. I was going to go that route but I could not remove the steering wheel cover, let on the steering wheel itself.

Dealer also said they found many low voltage codes and determined that I needed a new battery to resolve the issue. The new battery plus labor was $264.

So, two very simple repairs ended up costing me nearly $900.00. Really I understand the cost, but it seems once I agreed to the repair the diagnostic fee should have been absorbed. I know the airbag code 19 didn't take an hour to diagnosis. Heck I figured it out within 20 minutes on my own. Is it normal for a dealer not to absorb the diagnostic cost once a customer agrees to the repair?

 

The dealer here only charges a diag fee if the work is declined, which is understandable. The battery should have been about $150 installed if you went to Interstate who carries factory batteries from Spain.

 

It is an Interstate battery. It was 264 installed. The battery/part was only 89. I too thought that the diag. Fee was only charged if the work was declined.

 

The dealer here charges 1 hour labor to install the battery plus shops supplies, misc & taxes so that price, at the dealer, is probably not too far off. The fact that you question the cost here makes me wonder why you didn't just go directly to Interstate and get free installation.

If it makes you feel better though, now if you have any additional battery issues, you can take it back to the dealer and they have to take care of it at no charge.

As far as the diag fee, that should be discussed up front, as they do here, if not, they should not be entitled to anything you did not agree to pay prior to their starting the work order.

 

Normally I'd install something as simple as a battery myself. But it was already there for the airbag issue so I just let them do the battery too. I just don't think they should've charged for diag. once I authorized the airbag work. But you're right, they will have to take care of it if any issue with the battery arises. By the way, where are you (city, state). I'm in Plano, TX.

 

Was it listed on your invoice as 'Diagnostic Fee' or as a labour charge ?

I had a suspension fault in 2010, and there was a 30 minutes labour charge for diagnosis. Last year I had a gearbox fault and this time one hour was charged for diagnosis. Labour charges for parts fitment and transmission reflash were separate.

FWIW $145 = £91, which is within the kind of sums the main agents charge for labour. My local main agent has a special discount scheme for cars over 3 years old. Do any US dealers do this ?

Main agents in the UK at least, are obliged to follow Jaguar times for repair and replacement work, so I suppose they have to charge for everything the mechanic does to make a living. Hope I don't sound too forgiving of them !

 

Just to clarify a point, Interstate does warranty the battery thru the Jaguar dealer however the labor is not covered. The question regarding the battery cost, I think they charge the dealers $129.77 for the battery plus an $18.00 core charge.