Free Auto Repair - Cost Estimator Websites

Not sure how much a repair or maintenance procedure is going to set you back on your vehicle? Enter the world of free automotive repair estimator websites. There are several subscription based services that let you look at some repair information, but these will do the estimating for free. First, plug in your vehicle year, make, model, engine and trim. You can then search your exact repair need or select from one of many commonly performed repairs or procedures. Check out:

AutoMD

Find "Estimate Cost" in the main menu bar and start your inquiry. AutoMD will retain some of your vehicle info for future searches, but to be sure, you can sign up for an account.

AutoMD competes with RepairPal to have the most repair or maintenance procedures to automatically select from, and if you can't immediately find what you are looking for, there is a search option. If you are in an area serviced by AutoMD or their affiliates, you may see actual estimated quotes from nearby repair shops. A unique feature to AutoMD.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Another great feature that only AutoMD has, is the ability to see the average price difference between the dealer, independent repair shop, and doing it yourself. However, keep in mind that if you enter a zip code in a covered area, it may default to electronic quotes from nearby repair shops. It, therefore, won't give you the breakdown between dealer, independent, and DIY. To fool the system, just pick a zip code that they do not yet service (i.e. Pembine, WI 54156), and it will give you the 3 separate costs.

RepairPal

According to Alexa Rankings, RepairPal is the most popular among the choices here. Look for the "Get An Estimate" in the main menu bar and get your search under way. They offer many selections for routine services and repairs.

Like the others, RepairPal breaks down the difference in parts versus labor rates. RepairPal will give you an anticipated range for the repairs from low to high, but they do not specifically breakdown who or what is at the low or high end. RepairPal can then direct you to some of their certified repair facilities.

RepairPal also offers the option to create an account and store your vehicles in their database. RepairPal is the repair estimator resource for: Cars.com, napaautocare.com, autoblog.com, and AOL Auto's.

Autobytel and Driverside

Autobytel and Driverside are either twins separated at birth or they are sharing repair estimate platforms. I opt for the latter. They both offer a "My Garage" feature. Under this tab you will find "Repair Cost Calculator" or "Repair Cost Estimates". Driverside will want you to create an account first, but go back to the homepage and look for the "What to Pay" Icon. This will circumvent account creation, in the event you don't want the offered benefits of creating one with them.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

These two sites have the least amount of pre-selectable maintenance or repair items to choose from, and there is no search function to look further. They will ask for your zip code or randomly select a zip code to better assess costs. The final product will be a single approximated cost that includes labor and parts. It will break down the labor and parts cost for you if need be.

The underlying theme and ability of these websites to allow anyone to gather beneficial repair insight for the rock bottom price of... zilch, is at the very least - helpful. However, in the end, you have to remember that these are just estimates. It gives you a great guideline for comparison, but not a final answer. As I found out, to get the front pads replaced on our van would cost anywhere from $135-244 according to these sights, and I am not so sure that the different answers would end there.