Owning a vehicle means you have to take care of it with properly scheduled car maintenance which can be a challenge for you.
If it seems that some mechanics are trying to take advantage of you by telling you that you need services that don’t sound right, you’ll want to know how to avoid this problem. Don’t get duped when you’re at the repair shop again. Understand the signs that a mechanic is trying to take advantage of you.
Learn About Your Vehicle
If a mechanic knows that you understand how your car works and what things to look for, they are less likely to try and take advantage of you. On the other hand, if you don’t offer any automotive acumen, you’re more likely to be an easy target for a dishonest mechanic. Learn about your vehicle including some of the regular services you will have to take care of.
Question What You’re Being Told
How do we question doctors when they tell us we need surgery or have to take a specific medication? We get a second opinion. You can do the same thing when you work with an auto mechanic. Many times, if you have a service subscription or free service, the mechanic is going to try and sell you a service you might not need just to put some money on your visit.
Ask to See the Part in Question
It’s your car and the maintenance of it is your responsibility. You have the right to see the part that is in question while at the repair shop. Of course, it’s not going to help if you don’t know what a worn-out part looks like. Thankfully, Google can be your best friend and the enemy of a dishonest mechanic. Check out the part and what it should look like when it is time for a replacement item.
Check for Mechanic Certifications
Mechanics don’t have to be certified and some shops will hire mechanics that don’t have certifications to avoid paying a higher salary. That’s not always an indicator of a shop to avoid, but if you want to work with respected professionals, you want to go to a shop that demands their mechanics are certified and displays these certifications for you to see them.
Ask for the Original Parts After the Job
If you want to keep your mechanic on their toes and hold them accountable for proper car maintenance, ask for the original parts when the job is done. They will need to produce worn and broken parts that you can see and are itemized on your bill. If they don’t agree to give you the parts, go to another shop for service.
Trust Your Experienced Friends
When looking for the right repair shop to trust with your car maintenance, think about the person in your life that loves cars the most. Where do they take their car when it’s a job they can’t do themselves? Ask for recommendations and go where your friend goes. If you are still concerned, ask them to go along with you to make introductions and help you avoid being taken advantage of.
Ask About Estimates
Some repair shops offer free estimates of the work that needs to be completed. In some cases, they will go over the estimate with you and let you know what needs to be done right away and what can wait. This gives you a better idea of how much money you might spend to have your vehicle fixed. Trust a shop that will estimate and itemize the work for free.
Perform Simple Services Yourself
Some car maintenance work is easy enough to do on your own and can be rewarding. It only takes a few tools to complete an oil change or to rotate your tires. You can easily replace your windshield wipers, check all the fluids, or replace your engine and cabin air filters. These simple services can help you learn more about your vehicle and will make it easier for you to be confident when at the repair shop.
Compare Dealerships to Independent Shops
Some people swear by independent mechanics shops while others prefer the services offered at a dealership. When you know there’s something you need to have done to your vehicle – in some cases, even something as simple as an oil change, you should get an estimate from both places and compare them. Does one try and push extra services on you? Is one charging you for the estimate? Does one have certified mechanics? These comparisons can help you know where you want to go for car maintenance.
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