Why are air conditioning repairs for my Nissan Note so expensive?

Can you tell me why some motor spares cost so much? My four-year-old Nissan Note has air-con trouble. It needs a compressor, a pipe and two hoses. Quotes vary, but typical is £975 for the compressor and £610 for the rest. Plus VAT and labour of course. I'm grateful to Nissan for offering half the cost of the parts, and their dealer has been excellent, as always. But if I want my air conditioning back I must still find £1100. I could buy two or three deep-freezers for that!

Asked on 10 September 2011 by RJ, St. Bees, Cambs

Answered by Honest John
Often the only fault with an air-conditioning compressor is the clutch. In Thailand they are available separately and when one went on our Toyota we had it replaced for about £50. Translate that to about £150 for the UK, not £975 for an entirely new compressor.
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