Know the Cost
Before We
Start.
Every vehicle that rolls into Torque gets a written, line-item estimate — parts, labor, shop supplies, tax — before a single wrench turns. You see the math. You sign off. Then we work.
No-Surprise Guarantee
Final bill never exceeds the estimate without your written approval.
Four steps. Every one
on paper.
Intake
How we log your vehicle and record every symptom.
The moment your car arrives, a technician walks the exterior and interior with a clipboard — not a tablet, not a phone. Mileage, VIN, tire condition, fluid levels, and every symptom you describe are written down verbatim. Your words become the brief.
- VIN decoded against manufacturer TSBs
- Symptom log in customer's own language
- Pre-existing damage documented with photos
- Estimated ready-time communicated upfront
"They wrote down exactly what I said — grinding when braking, worse in rain. That's what they fixed. Nothing more, nothing less."
Marcus T.
Commuter, 2019 Civic
Diagnostics
What the scan tools actually measure — and what they don't.
OBD-II codes are a starting point, not a verdict. We pull every fault code, cross-reference it with live sensor data, and perform physical inspections that no scanner can replicate. The diagnostic fee is applied to your repair total if you proceed.
- Full OBD-II fault code extraction
- Live data stream analysis (O2, MAF, coolant)
- Compression and leak-down tests when indicated
- Road test to reproduce intermittent faults
"Three shops told me it was the O2 sensor. Torque found the real problem — a hairline crack in the exhaust manifold — in 40 minutes."
Denise K.
Fleet Manager, Cascade Deliveries
The Estimate
Every line explained. No shop-speak, no rounding.
The estimate is a printed document, not a verbal ballpark. Parts are listed by OEM or aftermarket designation with your choice noted. Labor hours come from industry-standard time guides — we show you the guide reference. Shop supplies and applicable tax appear as separate line items.
- Parts: OEM vs. aftermarket option with price delta
- Labor: Flat-rate hours × posted shop rate ($115/hr)
- Shop supplies: 4% of labor, never more
- Tax: Oregon 0% on labor / 0% on parts (shown explicitly)
"I've never seen a repair estimate that explained what a 'shop supply fee' actually is. Every other shop just adds it. These guys define it."
Priya S.
First-time car owner, 2021 Corolla
Approval
Nothing moves until you sign.
Oregon consumer protection law requires written authorization before repair. We go further: if a technician discovers additional work mid-repair, the car stops. You get a revised estimate. You decide. We've turned away jobs rather than exceed an approved estimate without consent.
- Written authorization required by Oregon ORS 646A
- Revised estimate issued for any discovered add-ons
- Work stops immediately if scope changes
- Declined repairs documented, parts returned
A real estimate,
dissected.
This is an actual estimate for a 2018 Honda Civic brake service. Every number is real. Every annotation explains the logic behind the line.
No hidden "miscellaneous" fees. No labor-rate surprises. No rounding. The total you approve is the total you pay.
Annotation Key
- 1
OEM vs. aftermarket choice is always yours. We show both prices.
- 2
Rotors measured with a micrometer. We show you the number.
- 3
Labor hours come from the industry time guide — not our estimate.
- 4
Shop supplies are capped at 4% of labor. Defined, not invented.
- 5
Oregon charges no sales tax. We show it anyway — as zero.
Repair Estimate
Torque Auto Service
2847 SE Division St, Portland OR 97202
Estimate #
TQ-2024-1847
Feb 25, 2026
Vehicle
2018 Honda Civic LX
Mileage
67,420 mi
Advisor
J. Okafor
Customer Concern
"Grinding noise when braking, worse going downhill. Started about 3 weeks ago."
Front Brake Pads — OEM (Wagner ThermoQuiet)
Customer selected OEM over aftermarket (+$18)
Front Brake Rotors × 2 (Brembo OE)
Measured below minimum thickness, replacement required
Labor — Brake Service, Front Axle
1.8 hrs × $115/hr (Mitchell ProDemand ref. #BR-0402)
Shop Supplies
4% of labor ($207.00) — brake cleaner, hardware lube
Oregon Sales Tax on Parts
0% — Oregon levies no sales tax
Estimate Total
Final bill will not exceed this amount without written approval
Authorization
Work does not begin until this estimate is signed.
"The estimate is a contract. They treat it that way."
4.9 / 5.0 — 847 Google Reviews
I came in terrified. I'd been told I needed $1,800 in work at the dealer. Torque's estimate came to $640 — same repairs, different math. They showed me every line.
Aaliyah W.
First-time car owner
2020 Toyota Corolla
We run 14 vans. I need estimates fast, accurate, and documented for our CFO. Torque turns them around in under two hours and the invoices match the estimates. Every time.
Robert Hennessey
Fleet Director, NW Courier Group
Fleet Account — 14 vehicles
Check engine light had been on for six months. Three shops gave me three different diagnoses. Torque pulled the live sensor data, showed it to me on screen, and fixed the actual problem.
Mei-Ling C.
Daily commuter
2017 Honda Accord
The estimate PDF they emailed me had every part number listed. I looked them up myself. Their markup was less than 10%. That's when I knew I'd found my shop.
Darnell B.
DIY mechanic, second opinion customer
2015 Ford F-150
Request your
free estimate.
Tell us about your vehicle and what you're experiencing. We'll review it and call you within one business hour to confirm your appointment.
Download Our Estimate Explainer
PDF · 6 pages · Free
A plain-English guide to reading any auto repair estimate — what every line means, what's negotiable, and what questions to ask any shop.
Torque Auto Service
2847 SE Division St Portland, OR 97202
(503) 555-0187
Mon–Fri: 7:30am–6:00pm Sat: 8:00am–4:00pm