Q: How can I make sure I am not being ripped off for repairs to my 2004 Camry?

asked by on November 09, 2016

My 2004 camry was purchased from Hertz in 2006 when it had 29k miles. It now has 113k miles. It has timing chain, not belt. I recently took it to the Toyota dealer as I thought my brake was making a faint noise when applying the pedal for a couple of days. They told me that the front brakes need to be changed and rotors machined and that also the water pump is leaking and the valve cover gasket is leaking. How can I verify that short of asking them to show me? Total estimate given 220 + 515 + 210 = 930. I don't remember having these things done to this car before now. My car has an automatic transmission. How can I make sure I am not being ripped off?

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Starter cranks forever before the engine turns over
Your issue doesn’t appear to be a starter problem. The starter’s only job is to crank the engine. And from your description it is doing that (unless it is cranking very slow). Your problem seems to be that the engine...
What precautions should be taken when driving with the trunk open?
First, you should only ever drive your Accord with the trunk open if absolutely necessary. Second, it’s very possible for exhaust to enter through the open trunk and circulate throughout the cabin. This can introduce carbon monoxide, which is toxic....
How do I lock the doors with the key?
Locking your car doors with your key is very easy. Simply insert the key into the key hole on the driver’s door, and turn the key counterclockwise until you hear the doors lock. This will lock all of the doors,...
Gauges and Radio flicker when driving
This could be caused by a faulty power steering cooling fan. The Mini's have an electrically controlled fan that will de-activate power assist if the fluid temperature exceeds a programmed standard to prevent damage to the power steering system. These...
Expected life of clutch
The life of a clutch depends on several variables. Of course, the type of driving is going to have an impact on the life expectancy, so is the way the driver uses the clutch. If the car is driven hard,...
My car is popping the code p0204 misfire
Hi there. You might want to read this article that explains what the P0204 OBD-II error code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0204-obd-ii-trouble-code-injector-circuit-malfunction-cylinder-4-by-spencer-clayton) is; what causes it and possible repair solutions.
chevy silverado 1500 is slow in 1st gear but runs fine in reverse
The transmission has different clutch packs for different gears inside the transmission and you most likely have worn forward clutch packs. I would recommend having the transmission pressures checked and computer codes checked and also fluid checked for burned smell...
Was driving. Battery light came on, steering wheel locked up. Car was still driving. Coolant wont stay. Little bit of white smoke
It sounds like the vehicle may be overheating. Overheating can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels, a faulty thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement), a clogged radiator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-replacement) or a failing coolant fan switch. As you may know...

Related articles

What's the Cheapest Way to Finance Buying a Car?
When When you finally make that big decision to buy a new car, there are many options you have to consider. Obviously, you have to consider what kind of car you want and what prices fit into your budget. Financing...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Highway Driving
Do Do you spend hours each week on the highway for work? Maybe you just live in a very rural area and have to drive for 30 or 45 minutes to get to the grocery store. Whatever the case, your...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Mobile Housekeeper
If If you are a mobile housekeeper, chances are that you are looking for a small, reliable used vehicle that offers good gas mileage and enough space to store your supplies. With that in mind, we present to you the...