How much does an hour at an auto repair shop cost?

In 2025, the cost of having your car serviced at an auto repair shop will vary greatly depending on the type of work to be carried out, the make and model of the car, and the choice of repair shop. Many garages often operate with fixed prices for certain services, such as EU inspections, servicing, tire changes and the like. For repairs, there can be big price differences between auto repair shops, depending on what kind of parts you need, whether original or non-original parts are used, and the auto repair shop’s general price level. 

Authorized branded repair shops often have higher prices due to their expertise in specific car brands and use of original spare parts, while independent auto repair shops may offer lower prices but with varying part quality. The hourly rate of different auto repair shops is often determined based on a number of different factors such as the auto repair shop’s experience, expertise, reputation, location and access to customers. This means that there can be big differences in the hourly rate from one auto repair shop to another. The hourly rate among car repair shops usually varies from around NOK 1.200 to NOK 2.900 per hour. 

• Low hourly rate: from approximately NOK 1,200 to NOK 1,700 
• Normal hourly rate: from around NOK 1.800 to NOK 2.300 
• High hourly rate: from approx. NOK 2.400 to NOK 2.900 

To control costs, it is recommended to request a detailed price estimate before starting work. The estimate should show a clear overview of the necessary repairs, with specified costs for labor and parts. 

What affects the price of an auto repair shop? 

There are many factors that affect the price of different garages. It’s important to know what these factors are, so you can understand the final total cost that you as a car owner will face when your car needs service or repair. 

Here are some key factors that affect the price: 

• Type of auto repair shop: Branded workshops will often have higher prices due to their specific expertise on specific car makes and models. 
• Choice of spare parts: Using original OEM parts is associated with higher costs. Auto repair shops that use non-original parts can offer parts at more competitive prices. 
• Scope of repair or service: Simple services such as EU checks, tire changes and oil changes are usually carried out at competitive prices regardless of which auto repair shop you choose. On the other hand, if you have a car problem that requires a lot of work, plus time spent troubleshooting and identifying the problem, the total cost could increase significantly.  
• The workshop’s reputation: An auto repair shop with a good reputation, extensive experience and good feedback from previous customers has the ability to set higher prices based on their service quality and customer satisfaction.  
• Geographical location: Operating costs and local competition can influence pricing.  
• Labor costs: The hourly rate of different auto repair shops is often determined based on all of the above factors. For example, if you choose a branded workshop with extensive experience, good feedback, skilled mechanics and that uses original parts, you should expect an hourly rate in the upper price range. 

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Some price examples: 

Prices vary greatly from repair shop to repair shop, but here is an overview of average prices for various workshop services: 

• EU inspection price: from approx. NOK 800 to NOK 1.500 
• Small service passenger car: from approx. NOK 2.000 to NOK 4.000 
• Large service passenger car: from approx. NOK 5.000 to NOK 9.000 
• Wheel/tire change: from approx. NOK 450 to NOK 800 
• Rebalancing of tires: from approx. NOK 200 to NOK 300 per tire 
• Replacing the car battery: from approx. NOK 500 to NOK 5,000 
• Replacing light bulbs: from approx. NOK 500 to NOK 8,000 
• New exhaust system: from approx. NOK 5.000 to NOK 15.000 
• Change brake fluid: from approx. NOK 600 to NOK 1.500 
• Four-wheel control: from approx. NOK 1.500 to NOK 2.500 
• Full oiling of car: from approx. NOK 18.000 to NOK 35.000 
• Full paintwork of car: from approx. NOK 40.000 to NOK 100.000 
• Hourly rate: from approx. NOK 1.200 to NOK 2.900 
• Replacing the timing belt: from approx. NOK 5.000 to NOK 16.000 
• Replacing all brake pads: from approx. NOK 3.000 to NOK 7.000 

Some tips for saving money at the garage: 

Depending on your expertise and access to tools, there are several simple things you as a car owner can do on your own to save money on car maintenance. For example, you can change the wipers yourself, wash your car regularly to preserve the paintwork and avoid rust, and choose a driving style that preserves the tires as long as possible. But sometimes your car needs to go to an auto repair shop. Here are some tips to save money on car repairs: 

• Choose independent auto repair shops: Authorized branded auto repair shops can be more expensive than independent repair shops. Independent auto repair shops often offer equivalent quality at a lower price. 
• Choose non-original parts: When replacing a part, you will be able to get parts from different suppliers and of different quality, and there can be big price differences. Generally speaking, there is a lot of money to be saved by choosing non-original parts.  
• Follow the car manufacturer’s service intervals: Having your car serviced is expensive, but it can be significantly more expensive if you don’t follow the recommended service intervals. Small problems that can be easily fixed can develop into major, complicated and expensive repairs. It’s better to address problems before this happens.  
• Fixed price: It can make sense to ask for a fixed price quote from the auto repair shop, so that you as a customer have predictability when it comes to costs.  
• Compare prices: Obtaining quotes from multiple auto repair shops can be crucial to getting the best possible price. 

Can you haggle at a car repair shop? 

It’s not the most common thing to haggle on price at a garage, but it’s not impossible either. It’s often the case that the price is negotiable, especially if you’re a regular customer, need a larger job done, or if you’ve already received a quote from another auto repair shop and can use this as a bargaining chip. If you’re haggling and want to increase your chances of success in the process, it’s important to be polite and understanding so as not to undermine the workshop’s expertise and quality. 

What’s the difference between an expensive and a cheap auto repair shop? 

At a more expensive auto repair shop, you may be paying for brand specialists with access to genuine parts and specialized diagnostic equipment, which can be essential for newer or more complex car models. Expensive repair shops may also offer better customer service, longer warranties on labor and parts, and a more comprehensive inspection and repair process. Cheaper auto repair shops can cut costs by using non-original parts and having mechanics with broader but less specialized expertise, which may be sufficient for simpler maintenance needs. However, an expensive auto repair shop does not equate to higher quality. There are also cheaper auto repair shops that can offer exactly the same quality as an expensive auto repair shop, at more competitive prices. 

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