Car repairs
How to check a garage quote
Start by confirming the garage has quoted for your exact vehicle — make, model, year and engine. Then split the quote into parts, labour hours, diagnostics, consumables and VAT. Once those five numbers are visible, a repair quote becomes far easier to judge, and any question you ask will be a specific one.
Why prices vary
Hourly rates differ between independents, specialists and franchised dealers.
Parts can be manufacturer, OE-equivalent or budget aftermarket, at very different prices.
Published labour times vary by vehicle, not just by job.
Newer vehicles often need coding or calibration that older ones do not.
What affects the price
- Vehicle identity
- Make, model, year, engine and variant drive both parts price and labour time.
- Parts specification
- Ask for the brand and whether a warranty is included.
- Hours and rate
- Two separate numbers you are entitled to ask for.
- Diagnostics
- Whether fault-finding is charged separately and if it is credited.
- Calibration
- Cameras, radar, steering angle and tyre pressure systems after certain repairs.
- Consumables
- Fluids, seals, fixings and shop supplies.
- VAT
- Confirm inclusion before comparing with another garage.
What a proper quote should include
- Vehicle details and mileage
- Description of the fault and the proposed remedy
- Each part listed with quantity and type
- Labour hours and hourly rate
- Diagnostic charge, if any
- Consumables line
- VAT shown separately
- Warranty terms on parts and labour
- Total including VAT
Common warning signs
- Parts and labour merged into one figure
- Work carried out beyond the quote without approval
- No written record of the diagnosis
- Quote that changes significantly when you ask for a breakdown
- Refusal to return replaced parts
How to compare quotes
- Send the same vehicle details and written fault description to each garage.
- Ask every garage for hours and rate separately.
- Note which parts brand each has quoted before comparing totals.
- Check whether post-repair calibration is included or extra.
- Compare the warranty, not just the price.
When a higher price may be justified
- Manufacturer parts where quality alternatives are limited
- Long dismantling times documented in published guide times
- Specialist equipment or high-voltage training required
- Calibration and road test included
When a low price may be a warning sign
- Very cheap parts on braking, steering or suspension
- Hours well below the published guide time
- No fluids or seals included on a job that consumes them
- No warranty at all
Example quote scenario
Illustrative example — clutch replacement, fictional figures
- Vehicle
- 2017 diesel hatchback (fictional)
- Parts — clutch kit
- £310
- Parts — dual mass flywheel
- £420
- Labour — 6.5 hours @ £78
- £507
- Consumables
- £35
- VAT
- £254.40
- Total
- £1,526.40
A fictional but well-formed quote: every line can be questioned individually. The useful question here is whether the flywheel is genuinely being replaced or only inspected, because that single line moves the total considerably.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask a garage to use cheaper parts?
Yes, and many will offer options. Ask what the difference is in brand, warranty and expected life before deciding, particularly for safety-critical components.
What if the garage finds extra work?
They should contact you with a separate price before proceeding. Make it clear in writing that no additional work is authorised without your approval.
Do I need the registration number to use QuoteCheck?
No. Registration is optional and we do not look up vehicle records. Make, model, year and engine are enough for the analysis.
Already have a quote?
Upload it or enter the details yourself. Based on the information provided, QuoteCheck breaks down the costs and gives you an independent second opinion — an estimate, not a guarantee.
Check my quote — £9.99One-off payment · No subscription