Episode
Misuse of the Word Diagnostics [E228]
- Published
- Mar 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1448
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Summary
Thanks to our Partners, Pico Technology, Autel, and Independent Wrench Jobs Watch Full Video Episode Show Notes In this episode, Matt builds on a thought that has been bothering him for a while: the automotive repair industry has done a pretty terrible job defining what we mean by diagnosis, diagnostic, analysis, and even something as simple as a code scan. The spark for the conversation comes from seeing a vehicle owner buy their own scan tool after being told a dealership wanted $190 “to scan codes.” That raises the real question: was the shop selling a code scan... or were they selling a diagnostic process? Because those are not the same thing, and pretending they are creates confusion for customers and devalues the work of actual technical specialists. Matt argues that a diagnosis is the conclusion you arrive at, while a diagnostic is the process used to get there. A code scan might be one piece of that process, but it is not the whole thing. And a good diagnostic process does not always immediately hand you the answer. Sometimes it gives you something better: more precise questions, better direction, and a narrower path to the root cause. That leads into a bigger point about communication, economics, and trust. Auto repair is a classic credence good, where the customer often cannot accurately judge the quality of the service they received. That creates information asymmetry—the shop knows far more than the client does. Which means language matters. Definitions matter. Expectations matter. If the industry wants to separate itself from guesswork, parts-changing, and pseudo-diagnostics, it has to become far more disciplined in how it describes the work being sold. Matt also reflects on confidence, competence, and what actually drives improvement. Sometimes a little l…