Protect the decision
Check recalls and manufacturer coverage before paying
Use the official VIN recall lookup and separate safety recalls from service bulletins, campaigns, and other warranty coverage.
Before you authorize
A saved checklist for the diagnosis, estimate, warranty, and next approval point.
0 / 10 completed
Diagnosis
Scope
Authorization
Coverage
Records
Use the checklist at the approval point
Mark an item only when you have a useful answer, preferably in the estimate or a written message from the shop. This is a preparation aid, not a mechanical inspection or a certification that the repair is necessary. Unchecked items help you decide what to ask next.
For example, an illustrative transmission replacement proposal may identify the unit but leave programming and labor-warranty coverage unstated. Keep those items open until the shop explains what is included. A low total does not resolve a missing scope.
Progress can be stored in this browser. The site does not transmit your answers to a shop, insurer, or publisher. Use Reset to clear saved progress. You can also clear site data through browser settings; a different device or browser will not have the same checklist state.
Before handing over the keys, keep a copy of the agreed estimate and your authorization limit. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s safety guidance, and ask a qualified professional whether the vehicle should be towed. The checklist does not determine legal rights; state repair rules and warranty terms differ.
Related guides
Protect the decision
Document a repair dispute with a useful paper trail
Build a factual timeline, reconcile the authorized scope, and preserve evidence before escalating a repair or warranty disagreement.
Work through the estimate
A repair authorization checklist for a major job
Turn open questions about diagnosis, parts, cost limits, and change approvals into a written authorization plan.
Protect the decision
Repair estimate red flags: questions that deserve an answer
Recognize unclear scope, unlimited authorization, unsupported diagnosis, and warranty gaps without treating every change as misconduct.
Protect the decision
When a second opinion helps with a major repair
Use a second opinion to resolve a diagnostic disagreement, not merely to collect a lower total for a different scope.
Protect the decision
Vehicle service contracts: get approval before the repair
Identify the contract administrator, covered components, approval requirements, deductible, and reimbursement path before work begins.