my plugs at 54k, replaced with laser iridium, $13 bucks at local autoparts

 

my 2000 was serviced yesterday, all the usual checks, of note the mechanic mentioned the air filter was filthy dirty and the new one could make a slight improvement in fuel consumption (old filter was black in the middle) OEM plugs were checked and appear half way through their life, current mileage is 31k I wonder how many garages simply change the plugs even if they don't need to be...?

 

You paid for the labor of a plug change, and received only a report of how your plugs were doing. If you paid a little more just for parts, no additional labor, you could be running new plugs.

So to some people it seems better just to change them, if they are out anyway and most of the way used, than to put the old ones back in.

It seems your mechanic knows which you prefer, so his decision to just put the old ones back in was a good one.

 

A family friend for over 20 years, he makes motoring 'affordable' He once did the timing belt on a previous car...the car was an Mr2 turbo, nothing particularly exotic I know but Toyota insisted it be an 'engine out job' and the bill for this??? It would have paid for a holiday.....My mechanic charged £92 all he did was remove the intercooler to allow access.....makes you wonder.....