iQuote
Start free

Free Auto Repair Quote Template

Short answer

An auto repair quote lists the diagnosis, each part and its price, labour time, shop fees and tax, and asks the customer to approve it before work starts.

Customers bring a car in with a symptom, not a repair list: a noise, a warning light, a pull to one side. The quote is where your diagnosis becomes something they can say yes to. It should separate what you found from what you recommend, show parts and labour on their own lines, and make clear that nothing beyond it will be done without their approval. That last point matters most: an invoice that is higher than the quote, with work the customer never authorised, is the fastest way to lose a customer and, in some places, a breach of local rules on repair estimates.

Sample auto repair quote

Copy the text, print it, or fill it in online with your own business details, prices and logo. The business and client below are made up.

Hillcrest Auto Works

[Street address, city]
[Phone] · [Email]

Quote

Number
Q-1042
Date
Oct 24, 2026
Valid until
Nov 23, 2026

Prepared for

Gabriel Ferreira

[Client address]

Job

2017 Honda Civic: front brakes and noise on braking

Example prices: replace with your own

DescriptionQtyAmount
Diagnostic inspection and road test1 job× $95.00$95.00
Front brake pads, ceramic (parts)1 set× $68.00$68.00
Front brake rotors (parts)2 each× $74.00$148.00
Replace front pads and rotors (labour)1.8 hour× $120.00$216.00
Brake fluid flush (parts and labour)1 service× $89.00$89.00
Clean and lubricate caliper slide pins2 each× $18.00$36.00
Shop supplies and disposal of old parts and fluid1 job× $22.00$22.00
Subtotal
$674.00
Tax (example rate 7%)
$47.18
Total
$721.18
  • No work beyond this estimate will be done without your approval.
  • Diagnostic fee is credited against the repair if approved within 7 days.
  • Replaced parts available for you to inspect or take on request.
  • This quote is valid until Nov 23, 2026.

Accepted by: Date:

Fill it in online — free

What to include in an auto repair quote

  • Vehicle and complaint

    Year, make, model, mileage and the registration or VIN, plus the customer's description of the problem in their own words.

  • Diagnosis and diagnostic fee

    State what you found and how, and whether the diagnostic fee is charged separately or credited against the repair if the customer goes ahead.

  • Parts with prices

    List each part with its price, and say whether it is new original-equipment, aftermarket, remanufactured or used. Offer a choice where it makes sense.

  • Labour time and rate

    Show the labour time for each job and your hourly rate, so the customer can see how the labour total is built.

  • Shop fees and disposal

    Shop supplies, environmental or disposal charges and tax belong on the quote, not as surprise lines on the invoice.

  • Approval and recommended extras

    Ask the customer to approve the work, and list advisory items (worn tyres, a leaking gasket) separately as recommendations they can approve now or later.

How to write an auto repair quote, step by step

  1. Record the complaint and vehicle

    Write down what the customer reports, when it happens and the vehicle details before you start diagnosing.

  2. Diagnose and document

    Inspect, road test and note measurements or codes. Take photos of worn or broken parts to share with the customer.

  3. Price parts and labour separately

    Look up parts prices and availability, apply your standard labour times, and list each repair as parts lines plus a labour line.

  4. Split required from recommended

    Group the work needed to fix the complaint, and list other findings as advisories with their own prices.

  5. Get approval before starting

    Send the quote, ask for approval, and record who approved it, when and how. If you find more during the repair, stop and get approval for the extra.

Deposits and payment terms

Auto repair is usually paid in full when the car is collected, so deposits are uncommon for routine work. For expensive or special-order parts, asking for part payment up front protects you if the customer changes their mind after the part arrives.

Many places have rules for vehicle repair estimates, such as written estimates, approval before exceeding them and returning replaced parts on request. Check what applies where you work, and build those steps into your quote so they happen every time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an auto repair estimate and a quote?
Shops often use the words interchangeably. What matters is that the customer gets a written price for specific work and approves it before you start, and that you get approval again before doing anything extra.
Should I charge for diagnosis?
Diagnosis takes skilled time and equipment, so most shops charge for it. Say up front what it costs and whether it is credited against the repair if the customer goes ahead.
How should I show part options?
List each option on its own line with the brand or type and price, such as original-equipment versus aftermarket, and note any difference in warranty. Let the customer choose before you order.
What if I find another problem during the repair?
Stop and contact the customer with what you found, a photo if possible and the price. Record their approval, then add it to the job. Do not add it to the invoice without that approval.

More templates and guides

Job done? Bill it with the matching invoiceFree Auto Repair Invoice Template

Templates for related trades

Further reading

Send it as a branded quote your client accepts online

i-quote puts your logo on the quote, takes an optional deposit, and lets the client accept or decline online. One click turns the accepted quote into an invoice. The Free plan includes 3 quotes and 3 invoices a month.

Start freeSee how it works