Cost FAQ
Real prices for the repairs Austin and Round Rock drivers ask about most. No bait-and-switch quotes, no hidden fees.
It depends on your vehicle, pad material (ceramic vs semi-metallic), and whether rotors are within spec — European and performance models sit at the higher end, and pads-plus-rotors together costs more than pads alone. Every brake job is quoted in writing before any work, and every quote includes parts, labor, and a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty — no surprise fees.
Oil type drives the price: conventional, full synthetic (required by most vehicles built after 2014), or European specs (BMW LL-01, MB 229.5, VW 502) — specialty filters matter too. Call for your vehicle's exact number. Every oil change includes a free multi-point inspection and tire-pressure check.
It depends on what's actually wrong — a recharge with leak detection is a different job than a condenser, compressor, or evaporator replacement, and refrigerant type (R-134a vs the newer R-1234yf) moves the number. We pressure-test before quoting so you never pay for a recharge that won't hold, and you get the price in writing before we start.
Texas eliminated annual safety inspections on January 1, 2025. But if your vehicle is registered in Travis or Williamson County, you still need an annual emissions test before renewing your registration. Most emissions tests take 20–30 minutes — walk-ins welcome at both our locations.
Code scans are free at Total Auto Works. A full diagnostic (live data, smoke test, electrical testing) is priced by system complexity — and the fee is applied to your repair if you proceed with us. We never charge for a quote.
It's a flat fee that varies only by vehicle complexity (European and diesel take longer to inspect properly) — call for the exact number. You get a written report with photos covering 120+ points: engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, frame, electronics, and a road test. Worth it — we've talked plenty of buyers out of lemons.
The range is enormous because the jobs are completely different: a fluid service, a solenoid or valve-body repair, and a full rebuild are different repairs with different price tags. We always diagnose first — many "failing" transmissions just need a fluid service or a wiring repair, not the rebuild a shadier shop would sell you.
Engine layout drives the labor — easy-access domestic engines sit at the low end, European and tightly-packaged engines higher. Your written quote includes an OE-quality alternator and a battery test. We test the battery and starter at the same time — replacing one component without checking the others is a common upsell trap.
It depends on engine design — European and interference engines take more labor. We quote the complete job (belt, water pump, tensioner, idlers) because they wear together and the labor overlaps heavily; doing them separately later costs far more in total. Full price in writing before we start.
Battery technology sets the price — standard, AGM (required on stop-start vehicles), or European batteries that need BMS registration after install. Free battery, charging-system, and alternator test with any visit. Texas heat kills batteries in 2–3 years — half the lifespan of cooler climates.
Yes. Code scans, visual inspections, and written estimates are always free at Total Auto Works. Full diagnostics involving live data or electrical testing carry a fee based on system complexity — applied to your repair if you proceed.
Every repair carries a 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. If anything we touched fails in that window, bring it back to either of our shops — Austin or Round Rock — and we fix it at no cost.
Yes — BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Volvo, Mini, Porsche, and Land Rover. We have factory-level scan tools (ISTA, XENTRY, ODIS) and use OE or OE-equivalent parts. Most European repairs cost well below dealer pricing without sacrificing quality.
Oil changes and inspections: 30–60 minutes. Brake jobs: 2–3 hours. Diagnostics: 1–2 hours. Larger jobs (timing belt, transmission, head gasket) usually finish in 1–2 days. We give you a firm time estimate before starting and call before doing any work beyond the quote.
Call or text either shop — we'll give you a real price over the phone.
