Repair Orders
Harlem Automotive Technology
Writing a Repair Order
• Every vehicle brought into the shop
should have a repair order written on it.
• This provides important information
about the vehicle
• This can be thought of as a “Contract”
for approved work to be performed
Form
Completing the Form
We need to look at each section of the form,
one at a time. While some things are
obvious, certain parts may confuse the
novice Service Writer. Let’s see what we
have…
Who is the Customer?
Joe Smith
12009 Happy Trail
Hooten, Il 60000
Yes
What is the Make Model and
Year?
1999
Toyota Camry
Other Information
VIN Number?
•VIN number is given by the Manufacturer
•Consists of 17 digits, letters and numbers
•One of them is a check digit, so if you know the
math involved, you can find phony VIN numbers
•These numbers help the technician find what is on
the car, to better repair it
•More on this later…
VIN
1G3BR549BA6544511
Mileage?
57000
Labor Instructions
Operator Number
Operator Number is YOUR assigned number, or
initials. Mine was 7. So they knew who to pay
(or, who to blame).
7
Labor Instructions
Instructions on what you need to repair or service. The first
line is usually entered by the Service Writer as instructions.
After that line, the Technician writes in his findings and the
repair.
7
Brake noise R/f
Pads are worn
Order By
“Order Written BY” is very important. It tells you who to
see for more information.
Charges for Labor
This area is for labor charges for the work, usually entered by
the Service Writer.
Parts Used
This area identifies parts used in the repair. You need to
know How Many, Part Number and What it is called,
and how much it cost. The last column…
1
1202557
Brake Pad
29 99
Part Cost (Wholesale)
• You would record what the part cost you. Why?
1
1202557
Brake Pad
29 99
15 55
Estimate
Most states require you to give an estimate for
the work. The rule of thumb is, if it is 10%
over the estimate, they will not have to pay
extra without an ok. This area is for obtaining
additional ok’s.
Authorization
Total Cost
Cover yourself…
Don’t Forget!
Keep a copy of the RO on file. Any complaints
or additional work, in the future, a RECORD
of what was done, Helps!
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Q : What should appear in a repair contract?
A : The repair contract, often called the repair order, is essential for
getting a satisfactory repair job done on your car. The repair order
describes the work to be done, and, once signed, creates a contract
authorizing the mechanic to make the described repairs.
The repair order should contain:
the make, model, and year of your car;
the repair date; an accurate description of the problem;
a list of parts to be used and their charges; the amount of labor
estimated to be needed (time to be spent fixing your car);
the rate to be charged, either per hour or the flat rate to do the work;
and your name, address, and telephone number.
The mileage and repair date are important. They verify warranty terms
and simplify service records. Also, your telephone number is critical
should unexpected problems arise. If the mechanic cannot reach you,
the mechanic has to decide whether or not to proceed, and you may
have to live with the results of that decision.
Note that in many states, if you do not sign the repair order, you do not
have to pay for any services done by the mechanic.
VIN Number
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•The first character vehicle identification number (VIN) serial number
identifies the country from which the vehicle was manufactured.
•Second vehicle identification number digit specifies the manufacturer. Audi
(A), BMW (B), Buick (4), Cadillac (6), Chevrolet (1), Chrysler (C), Dodge
(B), Ford (F), GM Canada (7), General Motors (G), Honda (H), Jaguar (A),
Lincoln (L), Mercedes Benz (D), Mercury (M), Nissan (N), Oldsmobile (3),
Pontiac (2 or 5), Plymouth (P), Saturn (8), Toyota (T), Volvo (V).
More
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•Second vehicle identification number digit specifies the manufacturer.
Audi (A), BMW (B), Buick (4), Cadillac (6), Chevrolet (1), Chrysler (C),
Dodge (B), Ford (F), GM Canada (7), General Motors (G), Honda (H),
Jaguar (A), Lincoln (L), Mercedes Benz (D), Mercury (M), Nissan (N),
Oldsmobile (3), Pontiac (2 or 5), Plymouth (P), Saturn (8), Toyota (T),
Volvo (V).
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•Third vehicle identification number digit indicates the vehicle type or
manufacturing division.
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
Fourth through eighth vehicle identification number digit reveals the
vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•The ninth vehicle identification number digit is a VIN accuracy check
digit, verifying the previous VIN numbers. This is how the check digit
works
STEP 1
Assign to each number in the VIN its actual mathematical value and assign to each
letter the value specified for it in the following chart:
ASSIGNED VALUES:
A=1
G=7
P=7
X=7
B=2
H=8
R=9
Y=8
C=3
J=1
S=2
Z=9
D=4
K=2
T=3
E=5
M=3 U=4
F=6
N=4
V=5
STEP 2
Multiply the assigned value for each character in the VIN
by the position weight factor specified in the following
chart:
VIN POSITION AND WEIGHT FACTOR:
1st = 8
10th = 9
2nd = 7
11th = 8
3rd = 6
12th = 7
4th = 5
13th = 6
5th = 4
14th = 5
6th = 3
15th = 4
7th = 2
16th = 3
8th = 10
17th = 2
9th = check digit
STEP 3
Add the products from steps 1 and 2 and divide the total by 11.
STEP 4
The numerical remainder is the check digit which would appear in the 9th position in
the VIN. If the remainder is 10, then the letter "X" is used for the check digit.
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•Tenth vehicle identification number digit tells the model year. 1988 (J),
1989 (K), 1990 (L), 1991 (M), 1992 (N), 1993 (P), 1994 (R), 1995 (S),
1996 (T), 199 7(V), 1998 (W), 1999 (X), 2000 (Y)------2001(1), 2002
(2), 2003 (3)
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
Eleventh vehicle identification number digit
reveals the assembly plant for the vehicle.
1G1JF27W8GJ178227
•The twelfth to seventeenth vehicle identification number digits
indicate the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled
of the manufacturers assembly line.
http://www.aftermarket.org/information/vin_decoder/vin_decoder.asp
Dat’s it!