Diagnostic Fee Explainer and Credit Script
Writes a clear, calm explanation of what the diagnostic fee paid for and how it is credited toward the repair.
Before and after
Phone script
"Hi Ms. Hobbs, this is Eugene Hood at Grovebank Auto Repair. We finished looking at your Sentra, and I want to walk you through what we found and how the diagnostic fee works.
You told us the check engine light was on and the car shakes at idle. Our technician found the cause. Cylinder 2 is misfiring, which is what the shake and the light are about. The ignition coil on that cylinder is bad, and the spark plugs are worn.
The $120 diagnostic fee paid for one hour of technician time to connect the scanner and run the tests that found this. That work is done whether or not you go ahead with the repair.
Here is how the credit works. If you approve the repair and we do it within 14 days, the full $120 is credited toward the repair bill.
We recommend these items:
Safety concern, recommended now
- Front brake pads are worn down to 3mm, and our technician marked this as a safety issue. Pads are $94 and labor is one hour at $120, for $214.
Recommended now
- Ignition repair for the misfire: coil $68, four spark plugs $36, and 1.5 hours of labor at $120 an hour, which is $180. That comes to $284.
If you approve both, the total is $498, less the $120 credit, so you would pay $378. If you approve only the ignition repair, it is $284 less the $120 credit, so $164. If you approve only the brakes, it is $214 less the $120 credit, so $94. All prices are before tax.
If you decide not to do the repair, the $120 diagnostic fee still applies, and we would note that on your paperwork as your decision. Whatever you choose, I am happy to answer questions. You can reach me at the shop at 206-555-0115."
Text message version
"Hi Ms. Hobbs, Eugene at Grovebank Auto Repair. Your Sentra has a cylinder 2 misfire (bad coil, worn plugs). That is the shake and the check engine light. We also found front brake pads at 3mm, which our technician marked as a safety concern. Ignition repair is $284 and brakes are $214, before tax. The $120 diagnostic fee is credited in full if you approve the repair and we do it within 14 days. Both items: $498 less $120 = $378. Questions? Call 206-555-0115."
Credit math
- Ignition repair: $68 + $36 + (1.5 x $120 = $180) = $284
- Front brakes: $94 + (1 x $120 = $120) = $214
- Both items: $284 + $214 = $498
- Both items after credit: $498 - $120 = $378
- Ignition only after credit: $284 - $120 = $164
- Brakes only after credit: $214 - $120 = $94
Invoice line wording
- Diagnostic, one hour, P0302 cylinder 2 misfire: $120.00
- Diagnostic credit applied to approved repair (repair completed within 14 days): -$120.00
If the customer declines the repair, remove the credit line and note "Repair declined by customer."
Questions for the owner
- What is the tax rate or tax treatment to show on the final total?
- Does the credit still apply if she approves the repair on day 14, or does it need to be completed by then?
- What are the shop's pickup hours if she cannot come at 4?
What it does
Writes a clear, calm explanation of what the diagnostic fee paid for and how it is credited toward the repair. It gives you a phone script, a text version, and the wording for the invoice line, with the credit math worked out.
Use it when: Use when an auto repair shop needs to explain a diagnostic fee to a customer and say how it is credited toward the repair, such as: "explain the diagnostic fee," "why do we charge to look at it," "credit the diag toward the repair," or "write what to say about the diag fee."