Auto Repair

Nothing ruins a day quite like having your trusty car suddenly break down. Being without your car is bad enough, but what can make this situation worse is getting scammed by a mechanic who’s pretending to help fix your vehicle.

While there are many reputable mechanics who do quality work at a fair price, it’s tough to find them. And if you don’t know a good mechanic, you could fall victim to a car repair scam.



Repairs with Used Parts Instead of New

When you take your car into the shop for any issue, your mechanic will diagnose the problem and let you know what work is needed. That work typically requires a new part or two. However, have you ever asked your mechanic whether they’ll be using new parts to complete the repair?

Most people don’t think twice about it and assume new pars are always used. However, you need to be sure that you’ll actually be getting new parts put on your car and not used parts at new part prices.

Believe it or not, this is a common practice used by dishonest mechanics. They’ll charge customers for new, premium parts even though they’ve installed sub-standard or used parts.

Ask your mechanic to tell you exactly what parts they’re ordering for you and where they’re ordering them from. You can either call the parts place to see what order was called in, or ask your mechanic for any packaging, receipts, and warranty paperwork that came with your new parts for your records.

Dirty air filter that isn’t yours.

This can be another upsell while your car is in the shop for another repair or regular maintenance. According to Angie’s List, a mechanic may bring out a filthy air filter to show you that isn’t from your car, but is kept to trick unsuspecting customers. Always make sure the filter you’re seeing is from your car, and know when your filters need replacement, Angie’s List recommends.

There are two types of air filters. The engine air filter keep dust and debris away from essential moving parts. You can buy one at an auto parts store and can likely install it yourself. It should last a year or about 15,000 miles.

The second air filter is the cabin air filter that’s attached to the car’s HVAC system and cleans air coming into the car to cool the driver and passengers. It’s usually found in the glovebox or under the dash of the front passenger’s seat, and most car owners should be able to replace it themselves every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

Engine Flushes

Engine flushes sound necessary on paper. “They are designed to break down oil sludge in your engine and also prevent oil sludge from forming,” says Fix. “But utilizing engine oil cleaner and conditioner is a proactive approach to avoid engine oil sludge from forming.” So, a flush might not technically be needed—or it might not be needed at all and is simply a ploy to get you to fork over extra cash. To avoid being scammed, Fix says you should make an auto-repair facility prove that you need a flush due to oil sludge. How? By literally having them show you the sludge. “Normally, the sludge can be found on the bottom of your oil cap on the engine,” says Fix.