how much is a diagnostics test for autos?

Answer 1

It depends on the shop and the type of diagnostics you are having done.
Here locally you can have your car hooked up to a scanner for as little as 59.99 to have the codes read.
If they have to do electrical diagnostics they charge 70.00 per hour for as long as they spend on it.

Answer 2

Any moron that thinks a parts sales person at a parts store like auto zone etc. with a cheap code reader obviously knows nothing about auto repair or diagnostics. You can have a $10,000 diagnostic tool but if you don't have the knowledge, experience and schooling on what to look for and what the different parameters mean then the tool is useless. So if you really think a minimum wage parts sales person with a $50.00 code reader knows anything you go for it. Otherwise take it to a professional for a diagnostic computer test. Average cost is $45.00-$90.00 based on your specific problem. My diagnostic scan tool cost $6500 and costs $900.00 a year to keep it up-dated plus the cost of training classes. So we must charge for diagnosis or we would be out of business. Good quality auto repair is not free.
Do you think a doctor will run tests on you for free? I don't think so.

Answer 3

If you're just wanting a code read then you can take it to AutoZone, O'Reilly's, etc. Keep in mind they do this for free because they then try to sell you a part. God only knows if the part they sell you will actually fix the problem...maybe it will, maybe it won't. Some shops try to hook you in for diagnostic for a cheap price, and what they're doing is getting you in the door, scanning the code, and typically then they're going to sell you additional diagnostic time. This isn't the kind of place you want to do business with. A good, reputable shop will be up front with you and charge about one hour of diagnostic time (the cost of one hour will vary depending on where you live...you can ask their hourly rate if you don't already know it). For an example the hourly rate in Dallas, TX is around $90.00 per hour, but a few hours outside the city and it's around $50.00 per hour. It really depends on where you live.

When you use the word "diagnostic" it means finding out the problem...not just scanning the code. It will realistically take around an hour of their time to figure out the problem...keep in mind sometimes it takes longer and you may be asked to pay more. A high quality repair facility will ask you to pay what the service is worth. They won't settle for someone paying a high quality technician the fee of a low quality technician...you really do get what you pay for in this business. The good shops will also spend up to around an hour and half for the price you pay for one hour. If you take it to the dealer...most dealerships like to start at an hour and half to two hours.

Answer 4

the computers for running the diagnostics are rather exspensive as is the updates needed to keep them current. That said it all depends on the shop you goto.. Shop around, don't be afraid to ask and walk out.
My shop charges $35 a shot, the shop across the street $100.
Heck, just page through the phone book, call and ask what it costs to run a diagnostic test through the OBDII port.

Happy Holidays

Let us know what type of prices you come up with in your area.

Answer 5

About $80.00

ADDED:
There's a HUGE difference between a "DIAGNOSTIC" and having the codes read.

Answer 6

auto zones is free... but from others i have had done ranged from 73 and up to 100 depending on where u go ...

Answer 7

i own a repair shop,and i only charge 25 bucks to do them,,i don't know what everyone else charges,but i know its a lot more than that ,mechanics today charge a lot because of the cost of the tools,and things needed to work with,,good luck.

Answer 8

Free at autozone only if it is a 2000 or newer.

Answer 9

free scan at autozone o reily and advance..no kidding!