Start with the repair
Each listed job has a broad reference range for parts and a low-to-high labour-time range. These are editorial guide ranges, not a live supplier or workshop quote.
ShiftyMechanics Open calculatorCLEAR METHODS, CLEAR LIMITS
How ShiftyMechanics calculates repair costs
The calculator combines a repair's parts range and labour time with a broad vehicle profile and country-level independent-workshop rates. It is designed to help drivers understand a quote—not replace an inspection or promise a fixed price.
Calculate a repair cost → No workshop can pay to change the calculated range.THE CALCULATION
Four parts of every estimate
The same visible process is used for every country, vehicle and repair supported by the calculator.
Adjust for the vehicle
The calculation adjusts for the vehicle's age, size, brand category and powertrain because those details can change both parts and access time.
Apply the country market
Parts are converted and adjusted for the selected country. Labour hours are multiplied by a country-level independent-workshop hourly-rate range in that country's currency.
Show a fair range
The estimated parts and labour are added to produce a low, high and mathematical midpoint. The parts, hours and labour charge remain visible so the total can be questioned and compared.
What the estimate includes
- A broad parts-price range for the selected repair
- A low-to-high labour-time range for the job
- A country-level independent-workshop hourly-rate range
- Adjustments for vehicle age, size, brand category and powertrain
What can still change the bill
- The exact engine, trim, part brand and part availability
- Diagnosis, hidden damage, seized fasteners and related work
- Dealer pricing, specialist equipment, taxes and local fees
- Work that is different from the repair selected in the calculator
How the quote checker should be used
The quote checker compares the workshop total with the calculated range. A result inside the range is broadly consistent with the guide. A result above it is a prompt to ask for an itemised explanation or another quote—not proof that a workshop has acted unfairly. A very low quote also deserves checking because it may exclude part of the job.
ShiftyMechanics does not inspect the vehicle, diagnose faults or know what a particular workshop found. Safety-critical symptoms should be assessed by a qualified repairer.
Sources and accountability
The parts bands, labour-hour bands, country workshop rates and vehicle multipliers are manually maintained editorial assumptions for broad guidance. They are not a live supplier feed, a workshop quote or a statistically representative market survey. They are reviewed when parts markets, labour assumptions or the estimator's job definitions materially change.
Parts-currency conversions were cross-checked against the European Central Bank's published reference rates. Australian consumer guidance recommends obtaining written estimates and authorising additional work; WA drivers can read Consumer Protection WA's motor-vehicle repair guidance.
Advertising is kept separate from the estimate formula. Questions, corrections or evidence that a range needs review can be sent to davidrburridge@icloud.com.
Check the parts and labour separately.
Choose your vehicle and repair to see the range used for each part of the estimate.
Open the calculator