Selfishness is a natural human tendency, and mechanics can be selfish too. Yes, I know; you're supposed to trust the pros for car advice, but it pays to keep in mind that they sometimes don't want the best for you and your vehicle. They want to rig the situation so that you keep going back to them for unnecessary repairs, and they, in turn, make more money.
Ever had one of those experiences where you wished you had listened to your instinct and ignored the advice of an auto mechanic? If you've ever fallen prey to the antics of these bad eggs, this post is for you.
9 Statements to Alert You that You Might Be Talking to a Con Mechanic
Take these nine commonly parroted statements from mechanics with a grain of salt.
"I Wouldn't Drive that Very Far."
This could be a true claim. But it could also be an attempt to dissuade you from seeking the opinion of another expert and scare you into effecting a repair with them. When you hear this, consider seeking out another mechanic's opinion. You might just be saving yourself from high repair costs.
"You Need to Bring the Car Back Here for Service."
If a car technician tells you that you must return to a particular auto shop for service, you should raise eyebrows.
When it comes to routine maintenance, you reserve the right to choose where to service your vehicle. The only exceptions are cases where the repair cost is expected to be covered by a warranty, and you would have to use an authorised dealer shop. Another reasonable exception is that the shop is specialised in complicated systems.
But true experts won't coerce you to work with them.
"It's Complicated."
It is the job of the mechanic to explain even the most complex faults in layman's terms. So if yours tells you a problem is too complicated for you to understand, waste no time; leave! Chances are he's either a crook who wants to prey on your ignorance and extort you. Or he is lazy. Both are bad for you!
“It's Usual for this Part to Fail."
If you keep returning to your mechanic for the repair or replacement of a particular part, your mechanic is likely replacing the faulty part with substandard or low-quality parts so he can milk you.
"This Will Become a Problem If You Don’t Fix It Now."
Mechanics can take minor issues and exaggerate their severity and urgency to throw you into panic and lure you into authorising the immediate repair of faulty parts. In extreme cases, crooked ones point out nonexistent problems to get you to part with big bucks. When you have doubts, seek another mechanic's opinion.
"We Should Replace the Entire Thing."
Here's another possibly true but frequently abused statement. For example, changing something as little as a spark plug might be all you need to do to effect repairs in your engine, but shady mechanics will tell you the "entire thing" needs to be replaced. Whenever a mechanic makes a diagnosis that seems ridiculous, check with another mechanic. After all, what does it hurt?
"You Can Use Any Motor Oil."
It's a trap! This statement has no iota of truth to it. Shady mechanics will try to convince you to use any oil type for your vehicle to save money. Yes, this approach will save you money in the short run but will cost far more in the long run. Vehicles have varying oil recommendations based on how the engines are built, the temperatures they are being driven in, and the vehicle's performance.
If you live in a cold climate, using thinner oil is recommended to ensure overall car efficiency. Similarly, for high-performance vehicles, synthetic oils are highly recommended over conventional oils. Although synthetic oils cost more, they help maximise your vehicle performance. Failure to adhere to these recommendations will ultimately result in your vehicle's damage, which means money out of your pocket to the mechanic!
"That Didn't Happen Here."
To err is human. Since mechanics aren't superhumans, they could accidentally (or intentionally) damage other car parts in a bid to fix your car.
Few will come clean about such damages; some will remain silent, hoping you don't find out, while others will try to convince you the damage was there when you brought it for repairs. Inspect your car before and after repairs and take note of even the slightest changes to avoid such situations.
"This Part or Repair Cost More Than We Thought It Would."
The auto shop might have been sincerely wrong on the repair estimation costs. But it could as well mean you're being ripped off. When repairs are done and costs climb significantly, investigate! Note that some shops carry out some low-cost repairs without approval, and this is indicated in the shop notice or service order, so this is one factor that can cause a price increase.
How Do You Know If a Mechanic Is Being Honest?
It's difficult to determine if your mechanic is being forthright with you. But here are a few common traits you'd notice with the best mechanics.
No Problem Is Too Complex
Like I stated earlier, no problem is too complex for a mechanic to explain to you. Don't work with a mechanic that refuses to help you get a better grasp of your car situation.
They Don't Push You to Replace Entire Parts
An honest mechanic wants to help you save money without compromising on quality. He won't push for a total overhaul or replacement of a part when it isn't necessary. He thinks about your budget and knows when to recommend second-hand auto parts as safe alternatives to new genuine parts. If you pay attention, you can tell if your mechanic wants to help you save money or is concerned about his own gains only.
Cost Estimates Don't Change Much
It's likely for actual repair costs to deviate from the estimate, but the variations shouldn't be huge. Prices of car parts don't skyrocket unexpectedly, unless there's been a major world or industry crisis. What’s more, an honest car technician won't present you with a bill that is a far cry from the original estimated cost. And if they do, they'll have a reasonable explanation for it.
Conclusion
Car maintenance is a routine activity, and so finding a mechanic you can trust will do you a world of good. The effort you put into finding that mechanic will pay off in saved time, money, and stress. It'll be totally worth it! If you're having difficulty finding a mechanic, I recommend using CarPartAU's directories to guide your search. You'll find lots of auto professionals on there.
For more helpful car maintenance tips and news, visit the CarPartAU blog.
By Damilare Olasinde