Diagnostic cost reference

Know the bill before
you pick up a wrench.

Click any part on the car below to see the part's average price, the shop's flat-rate labor time, and the total professional bill — calculated live against a $140/hr national labor benchmark.

$140Avg. labor rate / hr
4Vehicles modeled
7Repair zones
The Car Explorer

Select a model, then click a part.

Live diagnostic view 7 hotspots active

Tap or click a dashed zone above — try Brakes, Alternator, or Engine Oil first.

Readout Ford F-150
Select a hotspot to see DIY vs. shop cost
Where to start

Three ways to use this site

Beginner-friendly

Gateway DIY Repairs

Step-by-step microguides for the three repairs almost anyone can do safely with basic tools: oil changes, mirror swaps, and wiper blades.

View guides →
Safety critical

Tire Safety Academy

A roadside-readable flat-tire checklist, plus a full breakdown of what every number on your tire's sidewall actually means.

Open academy →
Decision-making

Repair Economics

Why flat-rate labor works the way it does, what tools actually cost to get started, and an honest pros/cons breakdown.

Read the breakdown →