A new iPhone app lets car owners estimate the cost of a vehicle repair before handing over the keys, empowering even the most clueless customers during visits to the shop.
AutoMD uses the parts catalog of parent company US Auto Parts Network and verified hourly labor rates to give customers estimates of just how much it could cost to repair their cars. The AutoMD website has been running for awhile now and it's pretty cool, but it's of little use when you're in the waiting room reading a four-year-old copy of Car & Driver. Amped on free coffee but short of info, even the savviest gearhead might agree to a new Johnson rod. Of course, there's also an added charge because the installation requires a left-handed screwdriver.
That's where the new iPhone app comes in handy, providing on-the-spot diagnosis of whether you're getting screwed.
We tried it with the trusty 1994 Volvo sitting in the driveway fresh from a few repairs. We found our local mechanic's hourly rate accurately posted, and the estimates for an alternator and shocks jibed with what our mechanic charged. The same was true for a muffler repair, though the "do it yourself" option was far more expensive than expected, due largely to the $511.34 floor jack we suspect may be built to dealer specs.
App or no app, short of being able to do it yourself nothing beats a trustworthy mechanic. Still, having AutoMD on your phone can help determine whether your broken-down car needs a second opinion.
Photo: Marcelo cK / Flickr
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