In a recent Royalty Auto Service YouTube video episode, the host acknowledges that there is often confusion with car repair customers over whether or not they should have been charged for the use of a scan tool or other diagnostic measure to help a mechanic track down a problem their car may or may not have.
This is especially confusing when some garages might charge you for a diagnosis as part of their service, but another voids the charge if you agree to it and are billed for a repair.
In fact, one video comment from another mechanic points out that sometimes diagnostic recommendations are just another way for a garage to scam a customer.
But is this the case regarding whether garages charge or not charge for a diagnosis?
The Truth About Proper Automotive Diagnostics
"Is paying for diagnostics a scam? We're going to find out―we did a very similar video on TikTok, and we got tons of comments that paying for diagnostics is a scam and you shouldn't pay for diagnostics…and so we're going into this video to go over what I believe are the four types of shops that we deal with when it comes to diagnostics," states the Royalty Auto Service host.
In other words, is there a difference between a garage that does not charge for making a diagnosis and one that offers a "free diagnosis" in case something is wrong with your car? You bet there is. And it is not a simple situation for car owners.
Follow along with the host as he explains:
- The difference between a free diagnosis and a "free diagnosis" offer you might encounter at a garage.
- Why are some diagnoses free, whereas others are not?
- What is the real rip-off when your car has a problem and needs diagnosing?
- Why you should want to pay for a diagnosis.
If you prefer, a summary of the video's key points you need to know is provided immediately below the video.
Is Paying For Diagnostics On Your Vehicle A Scam?!
Important Points Video Summary
- There is a distinction between needing a diagnosis for a problem your car has and being offered a diagnosis just in case your car could be developing a problem.
- Some garages do not charge for a diagnosis to market themselves and build a repeat-visit clientele. Other garages do it to fish for a repair and try to convince a car owner that their car needs some repair or service to reputedly avoid a future problem.
- Some garages that do not charge for a diagnosis do so because they do not pay their mechanic for making a diagnosis but only for the actual repair per a flat-rate type of employment agreement. In the real world of auto repair, diagnosing often takes significantly longer than doing many repairs, and the mechanic suffers for it when he is not paid for the time spent diagnosing the problem.
- "Free Diagnoses" are sometimes a scam by the garage surreptitiously padding the repair cost to make up for the "free" diagnosis.
- In the host's experience, the fear that garages connect a scan tool to a car and automatically charge for it to inflate the repair costs does not exist. Problems have to be properly diagnosed to ensure the correct solution is reached.
- Plugging in a dongle and reading codes is not a diagnosis.
- Proper diagnoses require not just one simple tool but, more often, multiple specific scan tools depending on the car and the problem.
- The cost of a scan tool goes beyond the tool itself with updates and licensing agreements for its use.
- Mechanics must be constantly trained to use scan tool equipment, which is expensive for both garages and mechanics.
- Paying for a diagnosis ensures that the garage is doing its best to solve your car's problem and that the correct repair is being made. If a repair does not fix the problem, the onus is on the garage to make it right without costing you extra for more parts thrown at the repair until something works. In other words, paying for a diagnosis protects a car owner from a garage charging you for additional parts and repairs until a solution is found.
- Mechanics―like doctors―should be paid for diagnostic work. It takes an investment of money, time, training, and tools to ensure that your car is diagnosed correctly and running well after a problem occurs and you expect a repair to fix it.
For additional articles related to car repairs, check out these recommended articles:
- Probably The Costliest Mistake of My Life — Long Story Short, I Tried Replacing Spark Plugs Myself
- I Just Bought a Used Car. After About 50 Miles, The Check Emissions Light Came On. I Checked It Out At a Car Lot That Had a Scanner That Can Tell If Was Reset. And Sure Enough It Was Reset Shortly Before I Bought It
- My daughter just got a quote from our local Midas to replace both rear brake calipers, rotors, and pads (all aftermarket) for $1500. Mechanic told me that most of it was going towards parts and $200 for labor –This father-daughter team paid only 20%
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos