Question 1

How do I know if a car repair is actually necessary?

Accepted Answer

Compare it against your manufacturer's maintenance schedule at your exact mileage. If a service isn't due yet — or isn't on the schedule at all — it's very likely padding. ServiceAudit Agent does this automatically: give it your VIN (or year/make/model) and mileage, paste in whatever a shop quoted you, and it tells you which items are justified, premature, or not on the schedule.

Question 2

How can I tell if a dealership is upselling me on maintenance?

Accepted Answer

The biggest red flag is a service pushed well before its real interval — for example a transmission flush at 30,000 miles when the manufacturer schedule calls for it at 60,000. The FTC specifically recommends checking any shop-proposed service against your owner's manual before agreeing to it.

Question 3

Where do I find my car's real manufacturer maintenance schedule?

Accepted Answer

It's in your owner's manual, but most people don't have it handy. ServiceAudit Agent looks it up for you from your VIN or year/make/model — no manual required.

Question 4

Is a service due if it's not listed in my owner's manual?

Accepted Answer

Almost never. If a shop recommends something that isn't on your manufacturer's schedule at all, ask what specific inspection or symptom justifies it right now — 'not on schedule' is the single strongest signal of unnecessary upselling.

Question 5

What should I ask before approving a repair?

Accepted Answer

Ask two things: is this listed in my maintenance schedule at my current mileage, and if not, what test or inspection shows I need it now? A reputable shop can answer both specifically.

Question 6

Is ServiceAudit Agent free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it runs on a free, open-weight AI model and doesn't require signup.

Know what your car
actually needs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a car repair is actually necessary?

How can I tell if a dealership is upselling me on maintenance?

Where do I find my car's real manufacturer maintenance schedule?

Is a service due if it's not listed in my owner's manual?

What should I ask before approving a repair?

Is ServiceAudit Agent free?

Know what your caractually needs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a car repair is actually necessary?

How can I tell if a dealership is upselling me on maintenance?

Where do I find my car's real manufacturer maintenance schedule?

Is a service due if it's not listed in my owner's manual?

What should I ask before approving a repair?

Is ServiceAudit Agent free?

Know what your car
actually needs.