What to check on a mechanic's quote
Parts type, labour hours, and unexplained fees — the details on a repair quote that decide whether the price makes sense.
Parts and labour, and what kind of parts
Repair quotes often arrive as a single total with little breakdown, which makes it hard to judge whether a labour-hour estimate is reasonable or whether the parts cost is doing most of the work. Where the total is more than a small job, ask for the split — and separately, ask whether the parts quoted are genuine/OEM, aftermarket, or reconditioned, since that's one of the biggest drivers of both cost and how long the fix lasts.
- Are parts itemised separately from labour, or one combined figure?
- Are the parts genuine/OEM, aftermarket, or reconditioned — and does the quote say?
- Roughly how many labour hours is the quote based on?
Unexplained fees and warranty
A flat "shop supplies", "diagnostic", or "disposal" fee with no explanation is common but worth asking about — it's not automatically unfair, but you're entitled to know what it covers. Also confirm what warranty applies to both the parts fitted and the labour itself, and get a firmer collection time than "a day or two" if that's all the quote gives you.
- What does any flat shop/diagnostic fee actually cover?
- What warranty applies to the parts fitted, and separately to the labour?
- Is there a firmer collection time than a vague estimate?
This is general information to help you read a quote, not legal or financial advice — it doesn't assess your specific situation and makes no guarantee about any outcome.
Check your mechanic's quote — free