Mechanic Quoted Me $X — Is It Fair? Online Quote Check for $1

• Get it in writing: the Federal Trade Commission advises asking for a written estimate that identifies the condition to be repaired, the parts needed and the expected labor charge, and getting a signed copy.
• Approval before extra work: the FTC says the estimate should state that the shop will contact you before doing work beyond a set amount of time or money. Some state laws require this.
• Ask for your old parts: the FTC recommends asking for all replaced parts back, and notes state law may require shops to return them.
• Labor is often a flat rate: many shops bill labor from a published estimate of the time a job takes, so compare the quoted hours with that standard time.
• Your warranty survives an independent shop: under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a company can’t void your warranty just because you used another shop or another company’s part, though it can deny coverage for damage that work caused (FTC).

Auto repair is one of the few industries where the person diagnosing the problem is also the person selling the fix. This creates a structural conflict of interest that affects pricing, scope, and urgency. Independent studies consistently show that 30 to 50% of auto repair recommendations include work that is either unnecessary or significantly overpriced.

The problem is: most car owners have no way to evaluate a quote. You do not know if replacing the entire strut assembly is necessary when only the strut mount is worn. You do not know if the dealer’s $250-per-hour labor rate is standard or premium. You do not know if the "recommended additional work" is genuine maintenance or manufactured urgency.

Mike Cooper has no shop, no parts inventory, and no financial interest in whether you approve the repair. His only job is to look at the quote and tell you: is this diagnosis accurate, is the scope appropriate, and is the price fair for your vehicle and market?

Diagnosis accuracy: Is the identified problem actually the likely cause of your symptom? Mike checks whether the diagnostic logic makes sense — a shop recommending catalytic converter replacement for a check engine light without first testing the upstream oxygen sensor may be skipping the cheaper fix.

Scope appropriateness: Does the recommended work match the problem? Replacing an entire assembly when only one component failed, "while we’re in there" add-ons that are not actually needed, or preventive replacements of parts that still have useful life — Mike flags these.

Price fairness: Mike compares the quoted parts prices against wholesale/retail pricing and the labor hours against standard flat-rate guides. A 3-hour labor charge for a job that flat-rate guides list at 1.5 hours is a red flag.

What is missing: Sometimes quotes are too low because the shop is missing something. Mike identifies when a quote does not include parts or labor that will likely be needed once the work starts, preventing surprise cost escalation mid-repair.

Start a chat and share the quote — a photo of the written estimate is best, or type out the line items with prices. Include your vehicle year, make, model, and mileage. Describe the original symptom that brought you to the shop.

Mike reviews and responds in 10 to 15 minutes with: whether the diagnosis looks right, whether the price is fair or overpriced (with the fair price range for comparison), and whether any line items should be questioned or removed. $1 flat. No subscription. Money-back guarantee.

For the full pricing reference on common repairs, see the car symptom diagnostic guide cost section.