Independent repair estimate audits

Got a pricey car estimate? Get it audited before you pay.

Upload the estimate your shop gave you. We tell you what's necessary, what can wait, and exactly what to say at the counter to bring the bill down.

Flat fee. No account needed. Most audits are turned around fast — no more staring at a quote wondering if you're being had.

Find at least your audit fee in savings — or it's free
Shop Estimate #4471
Front brake pads & rotors
Necessary
$420
Cabin air filter
Can wait
$85
Serpentine belt replacement
Padded rate
$210
Transmission fluid flush
Not needed yet
$329
Shop total $1,044

Audited total, necessary work only: $420

Belt marked up well above typical parts + labor — worth a second quote.

Line-by-line

Every item on your estimate, explained in plain English.

Flat fee

One price. No surprise add-ons on the audit itself.

Shop-facing script

The exact phrases to use back at the counter.

No dealership ties

We work for you, not the shop that wrote the estimate.

Who's behind the audit

15+ years in automotive. No dealership ties, no upsells.

I spent 9+ years as a service advisor inside dealership service departments, sitting on the other side of the counter, writing the exact kind of estimates you're now trying to make sense of. Over 15+ years in the automotive industry, I've seen which line items are standard and which ones are padded.

I built Soto Automotive Consulting to put that same knowledge on your side of the table. The goal is simple: an honest, independent read on your repair bill from someone who's actually worked inside the service department — not a shop trying to upsell you.

15+
Years in automotive
9+
Years dealership service experience
0
Ties to any shop or dealership
How it works

Three steps between you and a fair repair bill.

No calls, no waiting rooms. Everything happens from your phone or computer.

01

Upload your estimate

Snap a photo or upload the PDF the shop gave you — the same one sitting in your inbox or glovebox right now.

02

Pay based on your estimate

$79 for estimates under $2,000, $99 for $2,000 and up.

03

Get your audit and your script

We mark up your estimate item by item, and send you the words to use when you call the shop back.

What you get back

Your estimate, marked up the way we see it.

Every line gets one of three calls: confirmed necessary, can wait, or padded / not needed. You'll know exactly where to push back and where to just say yes.

Necessary now Can wait Padded or unneeded
Sample talking point

"Can you send me the itemized cost of parts versus labor on the serpentine belt? I've seen that job quoted quite a bit lower elsewhere."

Audited Estimate #4471
Front brake pads & rotorsNecessary Pad depth confirmed past spec — safety item, don't delay.
$420
Cabin air filterCan wait Still within service life. Ask for the part number and swap it yourself.
$85
Serpentine beltPadded rate Quoted well above typical parts + labor. Get a second number.
$210
Transmission fluid flushNot needed yet No manufacturer interval calls for this yet at your mileage.
$329
Pricing

Priced by the size of the repair.

Two flat rates depending on your estimate total. Both include the full line-by-line audit and your talking points.

The Savings Guarantee

If the audit doesn't turn up at least your audit fee's worth of savings or overpriced items, it's free — no questions asked.

Not sure yet?

Try the $19 Quick Scan first.

Upload your estimate and we'll tell you how many potential red flags we find — no commitment to the full audit. Upgrade any time to unlock the full breakdown and talking points.

$19 quick scan Start my quick scan
Estimates under $2,000
$79

⏱ 4-hour turnaround

  • Line-by-line review of every item
  • Necessary vs. can-wait vs. padded, called out clearly
  • Exact phrases to use with your shop
Upload your estimate
Estimates $2,000+
$99

⏱ 4-hour turnaround

  • Line-by-line review of every item
  • Necessary vs. can-wait vs. padded, called out clearly
  • Exact phrases to use with your shop
Upload your estimate
FAQ

Good to know before you upload.

What exactly do I upload?

A photo or PDF of the written estimate your shop or dealership gave you — the same one that lists the parts, labor, and total cost.

Do you call or negotiate with my mechanic for me?

No. We audit the estimate and hand you the talking points — you stay in control of the conversation with your shop.

Is this the same as taking my car to a second mechanic?

No — this is a review of the paperwork, not a physical inspection. It's a fast, low-cost way to sanity-check a quote before you approve it.

What if my estimate is handwritten or hard to read?

Upload it anyway. If anything is illegible, we'll flag it and ask you to confirm the item before we finish the audit.

Do you work on all makes and models?

Yes. Estimates are reviewed against the same manufacturer service intervals and typical repair costs regardless of make or model.

Don't sign off on the estimate yet.

Upload it first. Starting at $79, you'll know what's real, what can wait, and what to say next.

Backed by the Savings Guarantee