Average Car Repair Costs: Why Mechanics Will Fight Tooth And Nail To Dictate Car Repair Prices

From time to time, some pesky mechanics or shop owners complain that RepairTrust can’t provide accurate auto repair estimates. They go on to say that we don’t know what we’re talking about… that we’re idiots… and many other colorful words.

What follows is one of those discussions about car repair costs. It is highlighted here to illustrate the auto repair industry’s resistance and defiance of anyone suggesting a fair auto repair price, even an average, other than the repair facility itself.

The owner of this particular store writes via email (edited for this article):

I would like to be informed about “how much” I should charge for a certain repair without you knowing anything about my business, my guarantee, my employee benefits, my services or general expenses. Explain clearly how you can predetermine the cost of doing business from one place to another.

I would really be surprised if someone responded to this request. Advice with cost Come on guys…let’s find a smart answer here…

RepairTrust responded immediately:

Hello,

Thank you for contacting RepairTrust. We greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Your question is an excellent one and has already been asked by other auto repair professionals in the industry.

Just to be clear, you’d like to know how we can fairly price a job.
without ever seeing it or knowing the particular configuration of a store (salary, general expenses… etc.)

This question, again, while good, always surprises me.

I have been estimating repairs on automobiles of all makes and models, both domestic and foreign, for over twenty years. I suspect that as a repair shop owner, you also provide estimates to your customers on a daily basis. Most of the time this is done while the vehicle is in your possession. Other times, clients would like me to tell them how much certain repairs will cost before they come, correct…?

Letting customers know how much repairs will cost in advance is just one of the many services RepairTrust provides.

How we do it is simple:

The labor rate is the labor rate (we use the customer’s shop labor rate).

Labor times are determined from well-established and fair industry pricing standards (discussed at length in our books).

Part prices are part prices (MSRP anyway, minus the matrix). This is also extensively discussed in our materials.

Premium aftermarket parts are surprisingly similar in cost across the country. Miscellaneous charges, fixed fees, store supplies, hazardous waste, disposal charges…etc, also follow a similar pattern.

We even factor in local taxes, labor rates, and unforeseen circumstances (rust, corrosion…all the things a technician runs into during a repair).

As a store owner, when you provide a quote, am I correct in assuming that you would add “barring unforeseen circumstances” to any price you quoted?

An auto repair quote from RepairTrust is detailed, accurate, and fair to both the auto repair customer and the repair facility. Our main goal is FAIR.

When it comes to charging to provide a fair, accurate and unbiased auto repair estimate, we know the value of our service, as do our customers.

The fact is that 98% of all repair shops charge excessive prices due to the repair, and the consumer has no recourse. This statistic is supported by all government consumer agencies, including Alaska, major and independent news sources, as well as a variety of consumer advocacy groups.

The problem of excessive auto repair prices is not just a national one; it is intercontinental. Australia recently found that auto repair shops ranked fourth on its list of the top 10 consumer complaints.

I hope this answers at least some of your questions.

Thanks again for your comments, and please keep the professional lines of
Open communication.

To be honest,

-Ted Olson

Founder, RepairTrust.com