1. Can you give me a quick repair price over the phone?

Have you ever been given a quick "ballpark" price by a shop over the phone, only to get a call mid-repair that the price doubled because of hidden issues or special part requirements? Nobody likes that experience. Because modern vehicles are complex and every car's condition is unique, we don't throw out rushed guesses on the phone.

For basic maintenance (like fluid services or oil changes), simply share your License Plate or VIN and what you need, and a Service Advisor will look up your exact vehicle specifications and call you right back with an accurate estimate. For repairs, we prefer to inspect your vehicle first so we can give you an honest, complete estimate you can actually count on.

2. What if another shop already diagnosed my car, or I pulled the Check Engine code myself?

While previous notes or trouble codes are helpful clues, a diagnostic code only points to a system, not the specific failed part. Installing a part based on someone else's diagnosis without verifying the root cause puts your money at risk if that diagnosis was incomplete.

At Thoroughbred Motors, we guarantee our diagnostics and don’t charge you for an incorrect repair when we perform the work here at our shop. Because we take full responsibility for making sure the repair actually solves your problem, we perform our own systematic verification and testing first. (Please note that our diagnostic guarantee applies when our team performs the recommended repair using our quality-sourced parts; if a vehicle is repaired elsewhere or DIY after testing, there are too many variables out of our control for us to guarantee the outcome.)

3. Do you offer a warranty on your repairs?

Yes! We stand behind our workmanship and parts with a comprehensive 3Yr / 36k-Mile Warranty. Our philosophy is simple: we use high-quality parts, we don't take shortcuts, and if anything goes wrong, we make it right.

4. How does diagnostic testing work, and what if my car has a complex or intermittent "ghost" problem?

Great diagnostics take more than just plugging in a scan tool; getting accurate answers takes trained, skilled problem solvers paired with advanced testing equipment. Because we invest heavily in high-level tooling and ongoing training, we don't guess or send you somewhere else when a problem gets tough. Instead, we test the affected systems and components directly to prove the exact root cause, share our documented findings with you before any work begins, and guarantee our diagnostics when we perform the repair.

• What if the issue is an intermittent "ghost" problem? Our priority is helping you while protecting your wallet, so we refuse to guess or waste your money chasing a symptom that isn't actively happening. Our technicians will make a concerted effort to duplicate the concern during our initial check. If the problem refuses to act up while the car is with us, we pause and communicate with you right away rather than burning up your time and budget. Together, we can decide whether to gather more clues, keep the vehicle a little longer to catch it in the act, or document everything we checked at a reduced initial fee so we can pick up right where we left off when the symptom becomes more consistent.

• What about complex electrical or deep drivability issues? Most common issues are pinpointed during our initial testing. However, if your vehicle has a deep electrical fault, a complex computer network issue, or a concern that requires component teardown to access and test, we never just run up a bill in the dark. We will pause, show you what our initial testing revealed, and put together a clear, step-by-step extended testing plan for your approval so you always stay in control of the process and the cost.

5. Can I bring in my own parts that I bought online?

For both insurance and liability reasons, as well as our commitment to quality control, it is our policy not to install customer-supplied parts. To ensure your safety on the road and back our work with our 3-Year / 36,000-Mile Warranty, we source all components directly from our trusted OEM and preferred aftermarket suppliers. This protects you from counterfeit or defective online parts, improper fitment that ties up your vehicle on a lift, and the frustration of having no warranty coverage if an outside part fails.

6. What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) and why do you inspect my whole car?

Obviously we fix broken cars, but our real goal is to make sure you don't break down or get blindsided by preventable surprises that cost more down the road. Every vehicle receives a thorough inspection with clear photos sent right to your phone or email. We categorize findings clearly, from urgent Safety and Repair items to upcoming Maintenance, and we tailor our advice to your goals for the vehicle.

To make planning as easy and transparent as possible, our advisors also prepare clear, upfront estimates for any concerns found during your inspection before we call you. That way, we are ready with complete answers to your questions, and you have all the information you need to prioritize and budget at your own pace with zero pressure.

7. What makes and models do you work on?

We perform routine maintenance, diagnostics, and complete mechanical repairs on most American, Japanese/Asian (including hybrids), and select European (BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, and MINI) cars, SUVs, and trucks that are under 30 years old. We also have deep expertise in light-duty and medium-duty diesel pickup trucks, including Ford Powerstroke, Dodge/Ram Cummins, and Chevy/GMC Duramax.

8. Do you work on classic cars or vehicles over 30 years old?

As a general rule, our standard services apply to vehicles under 30 years old (1996 and newer). Older vehicles often involve discontinued parts and unpredictable restoration challenges that make it difficult to guarantee timelines or keep repairs practical financially. Any vehicle 30+ years old requires special review and approval by our team prior to scheduling.

9. Do you offer shuttle rides or after-hours drop-off and pickup?

Yes! We offer complimentary courtesy shuttle rides within the general Ramona area to get you back home or to work while your vehicle is in our care. If you can't make it in during normal business hours, convenient after-hours vehicle drop-offs and pickups can easily be arranged over the phone with one of our Service Advisors.

10. How does the Thoroughbred Loyalty Club (TLC) work?

For just $100 per year, your membership covers up to 3 vehicles in your household ($50/year for each additional vehicle). Members receive:

• 50% Off Labor on Oil Changes (saves ~$44 on gas vehicles and ~$55 on diesel trucks every oil change).

• 5% Discount on ALL Services and Repairs (with no dollar cap, including the visit when you join!).

• Expedited 45-Minute Routine Maintenance Service (by appointment on regularly maintained vehicles).