Editorial Standards
MechanicsRated is part of the Rated Network, a family of independent consumer-information sites operated by Aurum Transfers Ltd. Every guide on this site follows the same editorial standards, written down here so you can hold us to them.
How we research
Our guides are built from published pricing data, industry and government sources, provider disclosures, and primary documents -- not from guesswork or recycled blog posts. Where a figure appears in a guide, it traces to a source we name in the surrounding text. Typical ranges are presented as ranges; we do not present a national average as a personal quote.
Sourcing policy
- Primary sources first. Government data, standards bodies, professional associations, and provider fee schedules outrank commentary.
- Named in context. Statistics are cited in the paragraph where they appear, so you never have to wonder where a number came from.
- No fabricated precision. If reliable data only supports a range, we publish the range.
Updates and accuracy
Each guide shows its published date and, when revised, an updated date. We review guides periodically and when readers flag changes -- pricing moves, and a guide that says otherwise is a bug. If a figure looks stale, tell us and we will re-check it against the source.
Corrections
Found an error? Email [email protected]. We check every correction against the underlying source and fix confirmed errors promptly, updating the guide's revision date.
Advertising and independence
Advertising and affiliate links keep the site free, but they are walled off from editorial decisions: advertisers do not review, approve, or influence our guides, and a potential commission never changes a figure, a ranking, or a recommendation. Details are in our Terms & Disclosures.
Scope of our advice
We publish consumer research, not professional automotive, mechanical, or safety advice. Use our guides to walk into a conversation with a provider better informed -- and rely on a qualified professional for decisions about your specific situation.