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How do I check a car repair quote with AI?

A shop quoted Kyle Blanchard about $1,800 for work on his Mazda. He gave an AI agent the quote and the shop's own inspection video, and it found the evidence didn't support most of it. A second shop agreed the work wasn't urgent.

Steps

  1. Ask the shop for the written quote and any photos or inspection video.
  2. Give your AI the quote, the video and your car's year, model and mileage.
  3. Ask it to compare each repair with what the video shows and with the maker's maintenance schedule.
  4. Ask what happens if you wait on each item, and check the paperwork for the right plate and VIN.
  5. Get a same-scope quote from a second well-reviewed shop before approving anything.

Prompts

AgentPlays template Written by AgentPlays because the source doesn't publish an exact prompt we could quote. Fill in the [brackets].

Here is a car repair quote and the shop's inspection video for my [year, make, model] with [mileage] miles. For each recommended repair: say what the video actually shows, whether the maker's maintenance schedule calls for it at my mileage, what happens if I wait, and whether it's needed now, can wait, or isn't supported. Check the paperwork for my correct plate and VIN. Then give me questions to ask a second shop. Don't book or approve anything.

Want a full setup prompt? Second opinion on a car repair quote, from the shop's own video (AgentPlays original)

Recommended tools

ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini (opens in our AI Directory)

Watch out: An AI can't measure wear from a video. Treat its answer as questions to ask, and follow a mechanic's advice on brakes, steering and suspension.

The real plays behind this guide