At the Mechanic
Use these phrases to explain car trouble, get a cost estimate, and agree on repair times with a mechanic.
Key Phrases
Bilen min lager en ganske rar lyd hver gang jeg prøver å bremse.
neutralMy car makes a pretty weird noise every time I try to brake.
A very standard way to describe a recurring issue to a mechanic.
Motorlampen lyser, og jeg er usikker på hva som egentlig er galt.
casualThe engine light is on, and I am unsure about what is actually wrong.
Use 'egentlig' (actually/really) to sound more natural when expressing uncertainty.
Kan dere se på den og finne ut nøyaktig hva problemet er?
neutralCan you look at it and find out exactly what the problem is?
Uses the common phrasal verb 'finne ut' (find out).
Jeg lurte på om dere kanskje har tid til å ta en kikk i dag.
politeI was wondering if you perhaps have time to take a look today.
Starting with 'Jeg lurte på om' softens the request significantly.
Hvor lang tid vil det ta å reparere den hvis delene er på lager?
neutralHow long will it take to repair it if the parts are in stock?
A practical question when you need your car back quickly.
Når tror du at den er ferdig og klar til å hentes?
casualWhen do you think it will be finished and ready to be picked up?
Uses the passive form 'hentes' (be picked up).
Kan du gi meg et prisoverslag før dere begynner å skru på bilen?
neutralCan you give me a price estimate before you start working on the car?
'Å skru på' (literally 'to screw on') is the casual, idiomatic way to say 'work on a car'.
Er det mulig å få vite omtrent hva det vil koste på forhånd?
politeIs it possible to know roughly what it will cost in advance?
A polite way to ensure you aren't surprised by the final bill.
Må dere bestille inn nye deler, eller har dere det som trengs på lager?
neutralDo you need to order new parts, or do you have what is needed in stock?
Good to ask since ordering parts can delay the repair by days.
Fint om du ringer meg så snart dere har funnet ut hva feilen er.
neutralIt would be great if you call me as soon as you have found out what the fault is.
A polite but direct expectation of a status update.
Bare send meg en melding når dere vet mer om hva som må gjøres.
casualJust send me a message when you know more about what must be done.
Uses the s-passive 'gjøres' (be done), common in spoken Norwegian.
Kan du forklare meg litt nærmere hva som ble reparert på motoren?
politeCan you explain to me a little more closely what was repaired on the engine?
Useful when going over the invoice at pickup.
Hva var det egentlig som var galt med bilen da dere sjekket den?
casualWhat was actually wrong with the car when you checked it?
A very natural, slightly informal way to ask for the diagnosis.
Når passer det best at jeg kommer innom for å hente bilen min?
neutralWhen is it best that I drop by to pick up my car?
'Å komme innom' means to drop by or swing by.
Hvor mye blir det totalt for både deler og arbeidet som er gjort?
neutralHow much will it be in total for both parts and the work that has been done?
Essential phrase for settling the final bill.