Guide
How to Read a Car Repair Estimate
A repair estimate should list the parts, the labor and any fees on separate lines, with a total. Read each line, ask what any fee is for, and ask whether a diagnostic charge counts toward the repair if you go ahead. Compare two estimates line by line, not by the total.
- A general guide for any shop or mechanic
- All makes and models
- Nephi to Ogden, including Eagle Mountain and Heber
What is on a car repair estimate?
- Parts. Each part, with a price. Ask whether the part is new, remanufactured or used, and whether it is made by the vehicle maker or another company.
- Labor. The charge for the work. It may be an hourly rate times a number of hours, or a set price for the job. Ask which.
- Fees. Charges that are not parts or labor, such as a travel fee, a disposal fee or a diagnostic fee.
- Shop supplies. A line for small items used on the job, like cleaners, rags or fluids. Ask what it covers and how it is figured.
- Tax and total. The total should match the lines above it.
What is a diagnostic fee, and does it come off the repair?
A diagnostic fee is a charge for looking for the cause of a problem. Some places credit it toward the repair if you go ahead, and some keep it either way. Ask which before you agree to it.
As one example, the diagnostic visit here is $125 on every job, and it pays for the time spent looking for the cause. If you go ahead with the repair, the $125 is credited toward it. If you decide not to, the $125 is not refunded.
What should I ask before I approve a repair?
- What is wrong, and how do you know? You should get a cause, not only a part name. Ask what was tested.
- What happens if I wait? Some repairs are urgent and some are not. Ask which this is, and why.
- Which parts, and from where? New or reused, and who makes them.
- Is this price firm, or can it change? Ask what would make the total go up, and whether you will be asked before it does.
- What comes with the parts and the labor? Get any terms in writing, and ask what they cover and for how long.
- Can I keep the old parts? Asking to see or keep them is a normal request.
How do I compare two estimates?
Compare like with like. Check that both cover the same repair and the same kind of part, and that both include or exclude the same fees. A lower total that leaves out a fee, or uses a cheaper part, is not the same offer. Line the two up by parts, labor and fees before you decide.
Questions
Questions about repair estimates
What are shop supplies on a repair bill?
They are a charge for small items used on the job, such as cleaners, rags and bits of hardware. It is a normal line on some bills. Ask what it covers and how it is calculated.
Is a diagnostic fee normal?
Yes, many places charge one. Ask whether it is credited if you go ahead with the repair, whether it covers one problem or several, and what happens to it if you decline.
Can a repair cost more than the estimate?
It can, if something else is found once the work starts. Ask before the work begins whether you will be contacted and asked to approve any change to the total.
Can I keep the old parts from my repair?
Yes, it is a normal request, so ask before the work starts. Some parts, like batteries and alternators, carry a core charge that is refunded only if the old part is returned, so ask about that too.
Should I get a second opinion on a repair?
For a large repair, it is reasonable. Ask both places for the cause and an itemized estimate, so you can compare parts, labor and fees line by line.
Describe the problem
Call or text and say what the car is doing and where it is parked.