Also called: engine diagnostic, fault code reading
Across 21 popular vehicles
A diagnostic charge covers reading the stored fault codes and the technician time to work out what is actually causing them. Reading a code takes seconds and many parts shops do it free; what you are paying for is the diagnosis, because one code can have a dozen causes.
A single national average hides the thing you actually want to know, which is whether your car sits at the cheap or expensive end. Usually it is access rather than the part that moves the price: the same component can take an hour on one engine layout and most of a day on another.
| Vehicle | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Honda Civic | $157–$212 | $157–$212 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | $158–$214 | $158–$214 |
| 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee | $166–$223 | $166–$223 |
| 2023 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid | $169–$199 | $169–$199 |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | $169–$199 | $169–$199 |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | $179–$241 | $179–$241 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | $182–$248 | $182–$248 |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | $184–$250 | $184–$250 |
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | $185–$251 | $185–$251 |
| 2020 Toyota Tacoma | $189–$256 | $189–$256 |
| 2014 Nissan Rogue | $189–$256 | $189–$256 |
| 2015 Ford Mustang | $191–$258 | $191–$258 |
| 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 | $192–$259 | $192–$259 |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler | $194–$262 | $194–$262 |
| 2017 RAM 1500 | $205–$278 | $205–$278 |
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | $207–$280 | $207–$280 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | $211–$287 | $211–$287 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $215–$292 | $215–$292 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | $233–$274 | $233–$274 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | $234–$318 | $234–$318 |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 2500hd | $253–$342 | $253–$342 |
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
The ranges above cover a spread of vehicles. Enter a VIN and the report gives the estimate for that exact year, make, model and trim, alongside what the car has actually been through: accidents, title brands, odometer readings and open recalls.
A steady light can wait a few days. A flashing one means raw fuel is reaching the catalytic converter and you should stop driving, because that converter is one of the more expensive parts on the car.
Expect $157–$342. This is a labor-only service, so the price is shop time rather than parts, and it varies mostly with local labor rates. Figures are drawn from 21 popular vehicles.
The check engine light on steadily. A flashing check engine light, which means an active misfire. The light appearing alongside poor running or bad economy.
Access is usually the reason rather than the part itself. Across the vehicles we sampled, a 2011 Honda Civic comes to $157–$212 while a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500hd comes to $253–$342 for the same job.
Enter your VIN. The report includes the repair cost estimates for that specific year, make, model and trim, alongside its history: accidents, title brands, odometer readings and open recalls.
About these figures. Parts and labor ranges are supplied by a licensed vehicle-data provider and reflect a sample of 21 popular vehicles as of 2026-09-17. They are estimates for comparison, not quotes. What you actually pay depends on your vehicle, your local labor rate, whether the shop fits original-equipment or aftermarket parts, and what else is found once the job starts. Always get a written quote before authorising work.