Car repairs
Is my garage quote too high?
A repair quote is mostly two numbers: parts and labour hours. If the garage has told you which parts they are fitting and how long the job is booked for, you can sanity-check both. Prices differ enormously between vehicles — brake discs for a performance model can cost several times those for a small hatchback — so a quote that looks high for 'brakes' may be entirely normal for your car.
Why prices vary
Hourly labour rates range widely across the UK, and franchised dealers usually charge more than independents.
Parts pricing depends on whether the garage fits manufacturer (OEM), OE-equivalent or budget aftermarket components.
Published labour times differ by make, model, engine and even trim, because access and dismantling differ.
Some jobs need diagnostics, coding or calibration afterwards — common on newer cars with driver-assistance systems.
Consumables such as fluids, seals, clips and cleaners are genuinely consumed on many jobs.
What affects the price
- Exact vehicle
- Make, model, year, engine and variant. This is the single biggest reason two quotes for 'the same' repair differ.
- Parts choice
- OEM, OE-equivalent or aftermarket. Ask which is quoted and what warranty comes with it.
- Labour time
- Hours booked × hourly rate. Ask for both figures rather than a single labour total.
- Diagnostics
- Fault-finding time, and whether it is credited against the repair if you go ahead.
- Specialist equipment
- Calibration of cameras and sensors, hybrid or EV high-voltage work, air-conditioning handling.
- Consumables and sundries
- Fluids, seals, bolts and shop supplies, sometimes shown as a percentage.
- VAT
- Most garages are VAT registered; confirm whether quoted figures include it.
- Related work
- Items found while the car is apart, which should be quoted separately before they are done.
What a proper quote should include
- Your vehicle's registration or make, model, year and engine
- A clear description of the fault or the work requested
- Parts listed individually, with brand or type and quantity
- Labour hours and the hourly rate, not just a lump sum
- Any diagnostic charge and whether it is refundable against the repair
- Consumables and sundries shown as a line, not hidden
- VAT shown separately
- Warranty on parts and labour
- Whether old parts can be returned to you
Common warning signs
- A total with no split between parts and labour
- Additional work authorised without a fresh price
- Refusal to say which parts brand is being fitted
- Diagnostic fee that keeps growing without a written finding
- Pressure to approve immediately because the car is 'unsafe to move'
- No written quote at all, only a phone figure
How to compare quotes
- Give each garage the same vehicle details and the same described fault.
- Compare parts and labour separately — a cheaper total with budget parts is not the same job.
- Check the labour hours quoted against each other; a large gap usually signals a different method.
- Ask whether the price includes the post-repair checks or calibration your car needs.
- Confirm VAT treatment on every quote before comparing.
When a higher price may be justified
- Manufacturer parts on a vehicle where aftermarket options are limited
- Performance, hybrid or electric models with higher-specification components
- Jobs requiring subframe removal, engine-out access or long dismantling times
- Post-repair calibration of cameras, radar or steering angle sensors
- A dealer warranty requirement that specific parts and procedures are used
When a low price may be a warning sign
- Budget parts fitted to safety-critical systems without you being told
- Labour time that looks far shorter than the published guide time
- No mention of the calibration or coding your vehicle needs
- Fluids or consumables omitted from a job that clearly requires them
- No warranty offered on parts or labour
Example quote scenario
Illustrative example — front discs and pads, fictional figures
- Vehicle
- 2020 hatchback, 2.0 petrol (fictional)
- Quoted total (inc. VAT)
- £720
- Parts (brand not stated)
- £410
- Labour (no hours shown)
- £250
- Sundries
- £20
- VAT
- Included
The two open questions here are the parts brand and the labour hours. On a performance variant this figure could be entirely normal; on a standard model with aftermarket parts it may look high. The quote cannot be judged properly until both are known — which is exactly why QuoteCheck asks for make, model, year and engine.
Frequently asked questions
Why do garage quotes differ so much for the same repair?
Because parts choice, labour rate, booked hours and your exact vehicle all differ. A quote is only comparable when those four things are known.
Should I pay a diagnostic fee?
A diagnostic charge for genuine fault-finding time is normal. Ask up front what it covers, what you receive in writing, and whether it is credited if you proceed with the repair.
Are aftermarket parts acceptable?
Often yes, and quality varies by brand. What matters is that you are told what is being fitted and what warranty applies, especially on braking, steering and suspension.
Does QuoteCheck look up my registration?
No. We do not hold or query vehicle records. Registration is optional and analysis uses the make, model, year and engine you enter.
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.
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