Everyone wants an auto repair shop and a mechanic they can trust. Most people aren’t savvy about how their auto works, or what causes it not to work. So they have to rely on a mechanic to give them the straight scoop on a service that can cost thousands of dollars and hope their auto shop isn’t taking advantage of them. While there are many reputable shops and mechanics, there are some flaws in service that give the industry a black eye.
In 2010, the Better Business Bureau received over 12,500 complaints against auto repair mechanics. Here are the top complaints they received.
1. Flushing the engine or transmission when it isn’t needed.
Usually, your engine and transmission don’t need to by flushed any time other than at mileage intervals recommended in your owner’s manual.
2. Making recommendations for service based upon the severe-use maintenance recommendations.
Most people don’t live in sever conditions. Unless you live in areas where you have extreme weather conditions, or you drive off-road regularly or you’re road warrior putting a lot of stress on your auto with stop-and-go driving or short trips, you can follow the service recommendations set in your owner’s manual. You don’t need to be changing filters and fluids more frequently unless your mechanic can show you that they are dirty or contaminated.
3. Getting charged for different parts to solve the same problem.
This is a sign that your mechanic may be having trouble diagnosing what’s troubling your auto. Multiple failures of the same part or of different parts for the same system are rare. If you’re mechanic is billing you for trial and error, ask for a refund.
4. Replacing the same part multiple times.
Just as with previous issue, there isn’t a valid reason why you should be paying for the same replacement part repeatedly other than a known defect listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You can go to their site and research service bulletins from your auto maker or complaints from other owners. Sometimes the auto makers have a flawed design or assembly. However, if you don’t see any issues listed on the site or under a basic Google search, find another mechanic.
5. Being told that only the dealership can service your auto.
Without getting in-depth into legalese, there’s a law called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that states unless you have a warranty related repair or recall, you’re free to choose whom you want to repair your auto.
6. Performing fraudulent repairs.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies to auto repairs for shops that want to fix components that they can’t prove have a problem. If you brought your auto into the repair shop for one issue and you’re being told by the shop they’ve identified another issue, ask them to save the faulty part or show you the mechanical failure in person before replacing it. Unless you have a mechanic you already trust, you’re only evidence of a faulty auto component shouldn’t be a line item on your bill.
7. Bait-and-switch repairs.
Unfortunately, some repair shops charge you for higher-priced premium auto parts and install low-cost knockoffs. This can be a tough issue to prove unless you’re a relatively talented shade-tree mechanic or you take your auto for repair at another shop and they identify this issue.
The bottom line is if you aren’t satisfied with the service, don’t pay for it. If you’re experiencing issues with your auto repair shop, here are seven tips to help you choose the right auto repair shop for you.
American Auto Assurance
I got good info from your blog
I disagree on some of the above:
#3 – If your mechanic flat out tells you, “the code states it is a leak concerning the EVAP canister. I can replace the valve and see if that solves the problem, or we can replace the canister and the valve at the same time.” He is actually trying to save you the money of replacing the entire canister. You can’t see inside it to find the damage. However, if replacing just the valve doesn’t fix it, common sense should tell you that you now need to replace the canister.
#4 – If the mechanic is supplied with a faulty part, he doesn’t know it until it malfunctions. At that point, the part should be warrantied,l but I don’t think the labor should be, it wasn’t his fault; and he’s probably just as frustrated that he has to do the job all over again.
#5 – There are some vehicles that can only be serviced by the dealership because of the diagnostic equipment. If the mechanic tells you that you need to go to the dealership – ask why.
That is it, just those three. I wouldn’t want people thinking that all situations are the same.
Best advice: Find a mechanic that you can trust; one that explains the details, gives complete estimates, and keeps his/her word. Or you could get everything in writing and know what you are talking about before accepting the proposal and having the work done!