There are three main criteria used in pricing any given auto repair. The first is the labor rate, or what the shop charges for the time and expertise that goes into repairing your vehicle. The second is for the parts themselves, and whatever other shop support materials are used in the process of the repair. The third area to consider are the fixed costs or overhead that the repair shop has to cover, but that doesn't get reflected on your bill.
One local auto repair shop charges a $90 diagnostic fee. You can pull in there and tell them exactly what the problem is and they will still charge the fee. I can understand that charging the price shopper or the do-it-yourself mechanic who uses them for his diagnosis but whenever you have done business with them for 20 years and have always told them to "fix it", always paid promptly, they should forego the surcharge. It has finally driven me away.
