When you're getting ready to work on cars, motorcycles, ATVs, or other powersports vehicles, a solid automotive service textbook can be the difference between guessing and knowing. Tim Gilles' Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair is a widely used reference, but the copies you can buy today differ by edition, condition, and price. Should you save money on an older third edition, grab a clean hardcover at a mid-range price, or invest in the big revised edition? This comparison breaks down the choices.
Quick take
Here's the short version. The third edition with a resource CD is the least expensive pick and works well if you're learning fundamentals. The MindTap Course List hardcover is a clean, like-new middle option that doesn't demand top dollar. And the two revised editions from 2019 are the most comprehensive, with updated content-ideal if you want a reference you'll keep using for years. No single version is best for everyone, so use the table below to weigh cost against scope.
Price comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Third Edition, NEW | USD 42.49 | |
| Automotive Service (MindTap Course List) | USD 64.99 | |
| Mindtap Course List Ser: Automotive Service (Revised, Copy 1) | USD 90.00 | |
| Mindtap Course List Ser: Automotive Service (Revised, Copy 2) | USD 90.00 |
Decision matrix
| If you are | Choose | Because |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-conscious and just starting | Third Edition with CD | Lowest price and includes a student resource CD |
| Want a clean hardcover at a fair price | MindTap Course List hardcover | Like-new condition without being the priciest option |
| Need a heavy reference for serious repairs | Revised Edition (either copy) | The most pages and a modern revision |
Product notes
Automotive Service Third Edition Inspection Maintenance Repair by Tim Gilles NEW
This is the entry-level pick at $42.49. The book is described as brand new, hardcover, and it includes a student resource CD, which is a nice extra for self-study. The third edition was published back in 2008, so it won't have the most recent updates, but the core inspection, maintenance, and repair content is still solid for learning the basics. The seller notes that all sales are final and that the item comes from a pet-free, non-smoking home. If you're okay with an earlier edition and want to spend the least money, this copy is a smart starting point.
Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (MindTap Course List)
At $64.99, this like-new hardcover is the middle-ground option. The description highlights a firm, clean page block, unblemished binding, and straight boards with no markings. It comes from a seller that supports a Bay Area Friends of the Library group, so the condition is described in detail. The ISBN is 9781305110595, which makes it easy to confirm the exact edition before buying. The main trade-off is that you're paying more than the third edition, and you don't get the resource CD that comes with the cheapest copy. If you want a clean hardcover without spending $90, this is a good balance.
Mindtap Course List Ser: Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance (Revised, Copy 1)
This first $90 copy is the most substantial book among the four. It's listed as like new, hardcover, and revised, with 1,792 pages and a 2019 publication date. That makes it a serious reference for anyone working on powersports vehicles or pursuing automotive repair training. The cost is the highest in the group, but you're getting the most updated and comprehensive content. Because it's described as like new, you can expect minimal wear, though not brand-new condition. If you plan to keep a shop manual for years, this is the copy to reach for.
Mindtap Course List Ser: Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance (Revised, Copy 2)
The second $90 copy carries the same title, price, and revised-edition details as the first. It also has 1,792 pages and a 2019 publication date, so the content is identical on paper. The condition is listed as like new, with the same hardcover format. The reason to choose this copy over Copy 1 is that it gives you an identical second copy at the same price, which can help if you're outfitting a small group or want a backup for reference. If you're buying for a course or workshop and need two copies, grabbing both ensures you and a study partner can work from the same revision. Otherwise, pick whichever one feels like the better like-new specimen.
Final recommendation
The best choice depends on what you need most. If your goal is to learn the fundamentals without spending much, the third edition with its CD is the clear budget pick. If you want a clean, dependable hardcover and are fine skipping the resource CD, the MindTap Course List copy is a sensible middle ground. If you're after the deepest, most current reference for ongoing powersports repair work, grab one of the revised editions-and if you need a matching second copy for a classmate or workbench, you've got that option too.
