Mendcost exists to answer a narrow question honestly: what should a UK car repair cost? These standards explain how we research, write and correct that answer.
Our price rule
A price should be supported by at least two named UK sources whenever two independent published figures exist. We identify the source and the date checked. When the available evidence is thinner, the page says so instead of turning one figure into a market average.
What counts as a source
We prioritise manufacturer information, government data, recognised motoring organisations, national repair providers, booking marketplaces with real quote data and established cost guides. Forum posts and individual anecdotes can provide context but do not become a national price on their own.
Disagreement is useful information
Sources often measure different things: parts only, labour only, marketplace bookings, dealer work or an all-in estimate. We show meaningful disagreements and explain the likely reason. We do not average incompatible numbers just to produce a cleaner headline.
No invented precision
If nobody credible publishes a model-specific figure, we say ?not published? or explain the nearest comparable evidence. Ranges are rounded only when the underlying sources support that treatment. A page should never imply that a national average is exact for one car.
Independence and commercial content
No garage currently pays to appear in Mendcost?s comparisons. Advertising, affiliate links or sponsorship may be added later, but any commercial relationship must be labelled clearly and must not buy a favourable price, ranking or conclusion.
Tools and editorial responsibility
Software tools may assist with research organisation, drafting, formatting and consistency checks. They do not make a source reliable. Every factual claim and price must still be traceable to the evidence named on the page before publication.
Updates
Cost guides display when their figures were checked. High-value and fast-changing topics should be reviewed first. An update may replace stale figures, add a newly published source or explain a change in manufacturer policy.
Corrections
If a factual error changes the meaning or price guidance, we correct it promptly and update the page. Minor spelling or layout fixes may be made without a correction note. Send evidence through the contact page and choose ?Correction to a guide?.
What we do not promise
Mendcost cannot inspect your car, guarantee a quote or replace a technician. The site gives you a researched starting point and better questions to ask a garage. That is the job.