A CAR data firm has unveiled a “groundbreaking” new AI app which could save drivers hundreds on repair bills for free.
The tool can also help you check if you are being ripped off by your local garage and budget for maintenance.
Carly Repair Costs is the latest feature added to Carly, an automotive data platform designed to make it easier for everyday motorists to understand what’s going on under their bonnet.
Carly’s father and son team of founders were inspired to make car maintenance more accessible after being quoted over £7,000 for repairs on their family BMW, only to discover the issue could be fixed by an £80 part.
They still have the car to this day.
The new service, which launches in the UK today, makes use of the company’s vast database of over 60 million vehicle fault reports worldwide.
All drivers have to do is enter the make and model of their motor and the symptoms they are experiencing and the AI assistant will scan the data for the three most likely causes.
Each will be accompanied by an approximate repair cost based on real-world data from car owners who have experienced the same problem before.
This in turn is broken down into the estimated labour cost and cost of the parts.
Not only can this help drivers budget for their repairs, but it can also save you hundreds by preventing you from overpaying for major repairs you might not need.
And if you are unfortunate enough to land in an unscrupulous garage, knowing the right price range for each set of repairs can stop you from getting ripped off for the same work.
The tool can be accessed and used free of charge on Carly’s website.
While there, registered users can also look up their faults on the members’ forums and receive advice on threads dedicated to that specific issue.
Even better, the discussion is truly global as Carly’s AI instantly translates forum posts so they can be accessed from anywhere.
Daniel Meeghan, UK Country Manager at Carly, said: “The rising cost of living continues to be a source of anxiety around the UK, and we want to provide increased transparency on car maintenance costs so car owners can better budget their outgoings and prioritise repairs depending on their severity.
“By accurately predicting repair costs, drivers can also feel confident when going to the garage that they are getting a fair deal.
“This launch marks the second free tool from Carly.
“We intend for users to trial these free tools to give them an insight into the power of intelligent vehicle repair and maintenance solutions, so we can continue to put car owners back in the driving seat.”
