Glossary / General

flat rate

23 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

Flat rate means mechanics get paid a fixed amount for each repair job they do, no matter how long it takes. This can make them work faster, but it might also mean they don't take as much time on each job.

Technical Definition

Flat rate is a payment system used in the automotive repair industry where mechanics are paid a set amount for each job, regardless of how long it actually takes them to complete it. This system incentivizes speed and efficiency but can sometimes lead to rushed work.

Hear It Discussed

"It curbs the flat rate problem but runs the performance up to the top."
Fixed Ops Friday w/ Tiago Castro, Chuck Turck, & William Demaree | Daily Dealer Live Car Dealership Guy Podcast 53:03

"...cause Porsche actually really emphasized that that repair be not flat rated, if that makes sense. Like there was no, what does that mean? So flat rate, you know, uh, as a technician, you work on..."
Never Pay For a Porsche Oil Change Again (The FCP Euro Loophole) Eleven After Nine | A Porsche Culture Podcast 45:46

"The industry is set up where most technicians are flat rate. So they're incentivized financially to put more parts and spend more time on the car if they can bill for it."
Why ADAS Calibrations Are Being Ignored in Auto Repair Shops [THA 484] Remarkable Results Radio Podcast 12:17