AI by NicheJob 6 of 18ChatGPTGemini
Explain why you charge for diagnostics
Customers expect a free "quick look" and are annoyed by a diagnostic bill. Explaining the charge before you start avoids the argument at collection. Wording that says what the charge buys, and that no repair is done without a quote, can be used at booking, on the website and at the counter.
Time: 15 minutesTool cost: you can start with a free AI tool
Steps
- Decide your diagnostic charge and exactly what it covers, for example up to one hour of fault-finding and a written result. Decide what happens if more time is needed.
- Decide whether the charge comes off the bill if the customer goes ahead with the repair.
- Example (made up, for illustration only): an independent garage charges a set price for up to an hour of diagnosis on a warning light. Its wording says what that includes, that the garage will ring with a quote before any repair, and that extra diagnostic time is only done with the customer’s agreement.
- Run the prompt below for three versions: a website paragraph, a line for booking confirmations and a counter sign.
- Put the wording on your website and booking confirmations, and read it to customers who book by phone.
- Note on the job card that the customer agreed the charge, and get their agreement before any extra diagnostic time or repair.
The exact prompt
Write three versions of a short explanation of my diagnostic charge for garage customers: (1) a website paragraph of under 100 words; (2) a booking confirmation line of under 40 words; (3) a counter sign of under 25 words. Facts: diagnostic charge [£, INCLUDING VAT: YES / NO] for up to [TIME]. It includes [WHAT IT INCLUDES]. If more time is needed I will [ASK FIRST / OTHER]. If the customer goes ahead with the repair, the charge is [DEDUCTED / NOT DEDUCTED]. I always give a quote before any repair work. Plain, friendly English. Explain that diagnosis takes skilled time without criticising other garages. Do not promise to find every fault, and do not add prices.
✓ Check before you send
- The price, VAT and what it covers are correct.
- Customers see the charge before work starts.
- It says you will quote before any repair and ask before extra diagnostic time.
- It does not promise the fault will be found.
UK notes extra
- UK: show the full price, including VAT and any other charge the customer has to pay. If the final price depends on time, say clearly how it will be worked out. CMA: providing clear and accurate information about prices (summary, UK).
- UK: section 49(1) of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says “Every contract to supply a service is to be treated as including a term that the trader must perform the service with reasonable care and skill.” legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 (UK).
- UK: if you are accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair Code, check what it expects: its page lists “Open and transparent pricing” and “Invoices that match quoted prices”. The Motor Ombudsman: Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair (UK).
Last reviewed Oct 2026. Free tools change. If a screen looks different, the steps still apply.Back to top ↑