Process

• Sometimes, before work can be performed on a car, a mechanic will need to inspect the vehicle to diagnose what is wrong. This is similar to when a doctor performs tests on a sick person to determine the patient's ailment and the best course of treatment. Some of the diagnoses that a mechanic may wish to do may be complex or time-consuming enough that they merit compensation. However, this is not always the case.
  
  

Free Estimates

• Often estimates will be simple enough that the person will not be asked to pay for them. However, some problems may require extensive amounts of time or the use of expensive diagnostic tools. In such a cases, paying for an estimate is appropriate.
  
  

Estimates of Estimates

• If a mechanic wishes to charge you for an estimate, he should always tell you before he has actually made the estimate. He should, in essence, provide an estimate of his estimate, a guess as to how much it will cost for him to make a diagnosis of the car's problem. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you should always ask for written estimates beforehand, so that you do not get stuck with unexpected charges later.
  
  

Solutions

• If you are unsure whether you should pay for an estimate on your vehicle, contact other mechanics and ask them about the car's problem. These mechanics should be able to offer a consensus about whether the work is complicated enough to merit a paid estimate. If the mechanic tries to charge you for an estimate after the fact, you should refuse to pay the charge.