Automotive diagnostic and estimate system and method

Abstract

The method provides users with estimates for vehicle repairs. The user, typically the vehicle owner, provides details sufficient to identify the vehicle, and location details to enable the system to locate suitable mechanics and replacement parts, and determine labor costs and times. The user may provide symptoms of the problem, and the system provider automatically determines the likely cause of the symptoms. Once a diagnosis has been generated, local labor and replacement auto part prices are automatically located, and a repair estimate automatically calculated. The estimate, along with a list of local mechanics with interest or expertise in the particular type of repair, is then automatically communicated to the vehicle owner.

1 . A computer implemented method for providing a user with a vehicle repair estimates, the method comprising:
 allowing a user to access an electronic account for the user;   receiving vehicle information including vehicle diagnostic information, including information from an on-board computer of the vehicle;   estimating a problem with the vehicle based on the vehicle information and diagnostic data accessed from at least one diagnostic database, the diagnostic data including repair data, routine maintenance data and non-routine maintenance data; and   providing for the generation of a repair estimate based on the estimated problem and vehicle repair estimate data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting the repair estimate to the user via the electronic account.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle information received from the user includes symptoms of the problem with the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, receiving the vehicle diagnostic information from a third party system provider. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the vehicle diagnostic information from a vehicle mechanic. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing for the generation of a repair estimate includes:
 receiving a plurality of repair estimate bids from a plurality of mechanics. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 hosting a reverse auction for the plurality of mechanics to provide the plurality of repair estimate bids for the user.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a list of suitable mechanics based on the estimated problem, the vehicle information, and mechanic data; and   transmitting the list to the user.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising scheduling an appointment between the user and at least one mechanic on the list via the electronic account. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 updating the electronic account for the user to record user activities associated with at least one of: receiving repair estimates, purchasing replacement auto parts; and user feedback regarding vehicle repair.   
     
     
         11 . A system for providing a user with a vehicle repair estimates comprising:
 a memory device having executable instructions stored therein; and   at least one processing device, in response to the executable instructions, operative to:
 allow a user to access an electronic account for the user; 
 receive vehicle information including vehicle diagnostic information including information from an on-board computer of the vehicle; 
 estimate a problem with the vehicle based on the vehicle information and diagnostic data accessed from at least one diagnostic database, the diagnostic data including repair data, routine maintenance data and non-routine maintenance data; and 
 provide for the generation of a repair estimate based on the estimated problem and vehicle repair estimate data. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing device is further operative to transmit the repair estimate to the user via the electronic account. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle information received from the user includes symptoms of the problem with the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing device is further operative to receive the vehicle diagnostic information from a third party system provider. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing device is further operative to receive the vehicle diagnostic information from a vehicle mechanic. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the processing device in providing for the generation of a repair estimate includes:
 receiving a plurality of repair estimate bids from a plurality of mechanics. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processing device is further operative to host a reverse auction for the plurality of mechanics to provide the plurality of repair estimate bids for the user. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing device is further operative to:
 generate a list of suitable mechanics based on the estimation of the problem, the vehicle information, and mechanic data; and   transmit the list to the user.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , the processing device further operative to schedule an appointment between the user and at least one mechanic on the list via the electronic account. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , the processing device further operative to:
 update the electronic account for the user to record user activities associated with at least one of: receiving repair estimates, purchasing replacement auto parts; and user feedback regarding vehicle repair.