Auto Repair Estimates And Car Repair Prices - The Real Information To Avoid Car Repair Scams

Worrying whether or not you were overcharged forLabor is billed in tenths. So 1.0 equals 1 hour. 1.5 equals
your car repair is an awful feeling. There's tons ofan hour and a half.
advice on how to avoid getting ripped-off, but fewLabor rates range from $60 to $100 per hour at local
discuss the actual car repair prices. We really need torepair shops and $80 to $140 per hour at the dealer
look at the charges on a car repair estimate or autolevel. Labor times are based off established industry
repair invoice to determine if we're paying too much.guidelines, which are frequently abused.
The focus needs to shift from giving outdated andIf you don't see the shop's labor rate posted on the
ineffective advice to addressing the "actual" andcar repair invoice, ask your service center for the
"specific" charges. Are they legitimate charges? Canrate. Repair shops can manipulate the labor rate
they be justified by industry guidelines?(among other things) with a labor matrix. Matrix
Now car repair estimates can be confusing. So let'spricing is a complicated and ethically questionable
break it down to get a better idea if your auto repairpractice discussed at length in RepairTrust literature.
shop is billing you appropriately.What you need to know is that you can pay as high
First, a glossary of terms is in order, as the autoas $150 per hour rather than the posted labor rate of
industry has a language of its own...$105 per hour.
Aftermarket Parts: parts not made by theTo ensure that you're being charged properly, you'll
manufacturer.want to multiply the number of hours billed (which is
MSRP: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Pricealso often not posted) by the shop's labor rate.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. ManufacturerMost labor descriptions are poorly written and difficult
approved parts designed specifically for your vehicle.to understand. So ask questions.
TSBs: Technical Service Bulletins. Notes andHere's a "clear" labor description for a 30,000 mile
instructions provided by the manufacturer for knownservice on a Toyota Camry.
and specific concerns(they are not recalls).Performed 30,000 mile service per customer request,
Flat Fees: services such as alignments that don't getand in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
broken down into parts, tax, laborChanged oil and filter, installed new air filter, cabin
Miscellaneous Charges: these can include, but are notfilter and performed all necessary tests, checks, and
limited to shop supplies - rags, chemicals, hazardousprocedures, including road test (miles 30,123 - 30,125).
waste disposal fees, waste oil ...etc.Performed lubrication services and confirmed proper
Labor Rate: a repair center's hourly charge to servicevehicle operation. Set tire pressures, and checked
your vehiclefluids, belts and hoses. Note: vehicle is pulling slightly
Labor Time: the amount of time or hours determinedleft. Needs alignment
that it will take to fix your vehicleMiscellaneous Charges
Labor Description: the step-by-step written details ofThe bulk of your car repair invoice will be parts and
repairs and/or serviceslabor, but we can't forget about Miscellaneous
Ok, let's look at the Anatomy of an Auto RepairCharges. These charges can include, but are not
Estimate:limited to, shop supplies - rags, chemicals, hazardous
There are six basic components to a car repairwaste, disposal fees, waste oil ...etc. The latter of
estimatethese may be billed out separately in a summary at
1) Customer/Vehicle Informationthe bottom of your repair invoice.
2) PartsVery few of these "extras" are actually used during
3) Laborregular repairs. Miscellaneous charges are calculated
4) Miscellaneous Chargesoff the amount of labor hours billed, not the amount
5) Flat Feesof miscellaneous items used.
6) Summary of ChargesFlat Fees
Customer and Vehicle InformationFlat fees can be another very tricky area. Flat fees
Using a generic "top down" style estimate, the topare services, such as an alignment, which don't get
portion simply contains your personal information andbroken down into parts, tax and labor. This makes it
your vehicle's specifics: year, make, model,difficult to determine the real and fair price. On the
mileage...etc, as well as your request or concern.plus side, most flat fees are competitively priced.
We also want find the shop's labor rate. The laborBe warned however, another term for Flat Fee is
rate is critical in determining if you paid too much.called Menu Selling. In other words, you might see
Most repair centers don't list the labor rate. We'llTune Up: $99.99 or Transmission Flush: $89.99. Follow
discuss why shortly.your manufacturer's recommendations only, not a
Auto Partsdealer's or repair shop's menu.
Parts are listed usually with a brief description, as wellSummary of Charges
as the quantity, and the price. There are three typesThe last part of an auto repair estimate is the
of parts: OEM (parts made by or for a manufacturer).summary of charges. It's usually found in the bottom
These are the parts installed by a dealer, althoughright hand corner of the invoice. Check it against the
many local shops use OEM parts too.charges above to ensure that it all adds up
Aftermarket parts are non OEM parts, and there aremathematically, as well as logically.
various degrees of quality, depending on the brandThis basic estimate outline may differ from your
and where they're made - China versus USA, forparticular invoice, which may have other categories
example.such as "Sublet" or "HazMat."
Then there are Used parts purchased from a salvageA sublet charge is added when your auto repair shop
yard.uses another vender to fix or repair your car, such
To determine if you paid too much for parts, firstas a glass company that replaces your windshield.
find out what type of parts are being used. WithA HazMat charge may include waste oil or other
OEM parts, you don't want to pay more than MSRP,disposal fees. Just make sure that the charges are
although most people do without realizing it. Premiumwarranted, as again, they too are often calculated
aftermarket parts are similarly priced across brands,off the labor time rather than actual need.
although beware not to pay more than MSRP, whichIn sum, understanding the "actual" charges, asking the
again, many folks do. Used part prices are all overright questions, and breaking down your auto repair
the place, so pick the price in the middle.costs is the best way to avoid paying excessive car
Auto Repair Laborrepair prices.