What things cost, what shops are actually doing, and how to tell a fair quote from a padded one — written by mechanics and former shop owners.
Failed the NCT? You have 21 days to book a retest and 30 to complete it. Here's what to do, what it costs, and how to get repairs done fast.
Your manufacturer's warranty generally can't be made conditional on having routine servicing or non-warranty repairs done at a main dealer. Here's what you need to know to keep your warranty safe when using an independent garage.
We pulled 14,000 quotes from shops across 180 metros. The spread between the cheapest and priciest quote on the same job averages 41% — here is what a fair number looks like for your car.
Four things worth doing before you book anything — one of them is free and solves it more often than you would guess.
Parts, labor hours, shop supplies, "misc". Which line items are legitimate, which are padding, and the two questions that settle it.
Not every quote needs a second look — but a few specific situations make it worth the extra day of waiting.
Most shops that ask for a deposit are completely legitimate. A short checklist protects you on the rare occasion one isn't.
We asked a dozen shop owners what one thing they'd change about how drivers approach a repair. Their answers were surprisingly consistent.