The Top Car Mechanic Scams to Avoid
…with a little commentary from Tom Dwyer.
We ran across an article on Mechanic Scams by Timothy Boyer on Torquenews.com that described 7 of the most typical scams you’re likely to run across in your auto-owning lifetime. We were going to just run it as he wrote it, but our Service Advisors had some quibbles. Here’s Timothy’s excellent article with our comments…
Top Car Mechanic Scams to Avoid in 2024
A Toyota Master mechanic shares the top 7 mechanic scams that he sees and hears about that are mistakenly believable by most car owners only because most of them used to be true. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites
It’s unfortunate that mechanics, possibly more than any profession―whether it be a physician, lawyer, or police officer―are wholesale categorized and characterized as being dishonest. It’s also unfortunate that there is some truth to this, and that is why so many car owners are scammed by mechanics and garages.
According to a recent episode of the Car Care Nut YouTube channel, the channel’s host recognizes these facts in a new video about the top car mechanic scams.
“These are things that I hear customers mention all the time about their experiences with shops and dealerships. It breaks my heart that there are so many good, hard-working, and experienced car mechanics out there who are honest and have their customers’ best interest at heart that have their reputations smeared because of the few that care only about their bottom line,” says the host of a popular Toyota repair website who has earned the respect and trust of 1.2 million subscribers that turn to his videos for car repair advice…and occasionally car repair if fortunate.
Top Car Mechanic Scams to Avoid in 2024
While the host cannot vouch for the integrity of individual fellow mechanics, what he can do and does in today’s video is discuss with viewers the car repair scams this year that are not just shameful but damaging to car owners’ vehicles and their bank accounts. Worse yet, these are typically the most believable scams that car owners believe are true because they were true back in the day.
That said, the host’s video is provided below. But if you do not have the time to watch it right now, a summary of the scams is provided below the video for your convenience.
Winterizing a modern car: According to the host, winterizing your modern car―which used to be a given years ago―no longer applies. It’s a scam that often works on older drivers who remember the days of the car winterizing their old man used to do yearly. Today, the owner can easily DIY assess that the tires are suitable for the winter, have the appropriate pressure, and that their windshield wiper fluid is formulated for freezing temperatures.
Tom’s Comment- Winterizing isn’t really needed here in Portland because we’re in such a temperate climate. However, in colder states like Michigan, Wisconsin, etc., it’s a good idea to get snow tires on, make sure the coolant has adequate freeze protection, and make sure the washer fluid won’t freeze in sub zero temps. If you’re concerned about ‘winterizing’ out here, our free 90-Point Inspection is a good basic checkout to give you peace of mind.
Tune-ups: This is something that used to apply to older vehicles that needed their plugs checked and gapped along with the distributor, condenser, and points while checking the engine’s timing and adjusting it by slightly advancing or retarding the distributor in a clockwise or counterclockwise position. Today, tune-ups are not a thing in modern cars. Following your car’s recommended maintenance and servicing is the only “tune-up” your car needs.
Tom’s Comment- No quibbles here… Timothy is spot-on. We try to avoid even the word ‘tune-up’ whenever we can! If by ‘tune up’ you mean a basic checkout and adjustment, our Comprehensive Inspection is probably the closest we come.
Lifetime Fluids: The concept of what makes a fluid (or your car, for that matter) last a lifetime is one of those vague realities that is not what a reasonable person would say is the definition of “lifetime.” The more jaded of us say that “lifetime” means “Only as long as you own your car,” which is true in a sense, especially if you dump your ailing old car for a new one because the cost of repairs and parts has made it cost-prohibitive. It’s the same with any promise of a lifetime warranty―there’s no such thing, and it is not a defense for you when your car develops a problem. Change your car’s fluids and don’t believe the hype that cars today are low to no maintenance, advises the host.
Tom’s Comment- Agree again. Lifetime fluids don’t exist. Every fluid will need serviced multiple times throughout the vehicles’ lifespan. Here’s a detailed response to a client who wondered why we were recommending changing his ‘lifetime fluids’.
Lifetime warranties on parts or systems: This is just an extension of the fallacy of lifetime fluids. The problem is that the part or system you are sold with the promise it comes with a lifetime warranty is more likely than not to be the cheapest component the seller can find who is counting on that you are a one-time customer with no fear of you ever returning with a complaint. And if you do, the replacement part (with another lifetime warranty backing it) will be a repeat of what he sold you earlier…or worse.
Tom’s Comment- Another agreement. If our ‘lifetime fluids’ article (above) wasn’t enough, we dig even deeper in “Lifetime Maintenance?”
Let’s Flush It: Or, as the host quips, “Let’s flush your wallet,” explaining that nobody flushes anything in a car today. As an example, your cooling system sounds like something flushable, but it is not due to built-in valves that physically prevent a flush from doing what it did years ago in older cars. In todays’ cars, fluids are changed or replaced, but there is no flushing going on despite what you were told your car needs done to it.
Tom’s Comment- We have to disagree here. “Flushes” are still very applicable for today’s vehicles, though of course they aren’t all equally necessary on all vehicles. He’s right about the AC system, but your power steering, transmission, or other systems could very well need flushes at some point. We don’t recommend flushes by time or mileage, but by real-world inspection of the system in question. If we say you need a flush it’s because you need it!
You Need an Alignment: This is an easy ticket item for car repair or tire service shops to push―the idea that you need an alignment with your tires whenever changed or rotated to get the most life out of them. The truth is that your old tires and their wear pattern on them indicate whether your car needs an alignment or not. Don’t get sold on something you do not need, especially since, over time, the cost of all those alignments can surpass what you initially paid for those tires. If you have an accident or suspension work done, you may need an alignment, but not over the usual daily driving. Alignments are not a maintenance item―they are a repair!
Tom’s Comment- Strong disagree! An alignment is always needed after any steering or most suspension repairs. Sometimes an alignment is needed after hitting a pothole. Most tire manufacturers require an alignment be performed when the tires are installed to validate their warranty. An alignment could be a scam or it could be necessary… it depends.
A/C Recharge: Like alignments, A/C charges are another item pushed too often when it is not necessary or needed. The claim is made that your refrigerant needs to be “refreshed” every year to get the best possible cold air to keep you cool on the road. The problem with this point is that the A/C system is sealed. If there is some reason why your A/C has a problem, it is because you have a leak. In other words, don’t break it if it’s not broken. Allowing a garage to put “fresh” refrigerant in your car opens you up to developing contamination or other problems you did not have before the A/C recharge.
Tom’s Comment- Absolutely right. Your AC is a sealed system where the gas doesn’t evaporate unless there’s a leak, and refrigerant doesn’t go bad. The only reason it would need to be ‘flushed’ or ‘recharged’ is if a component is replaced or a leak is found.
Last Bit of Advice: The host points out that if you have any questions about a repair or service offered by any mechanic or garage, the internet is where you need to go to make sure what is offered is what you need. So much information is available that breaks down whatever problem you may or may not have that can help you decide whether someone is trying to scam you…or help you and your car.
Tom’s last bit of advice- Unfortunately, we have to end with a disagreement. THE INTERNET IS NOT A GOOD PLACE TO GO TO CONFIRM SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS! Yes, it can give general advice to a general audience, but it hasn’t seen your vehicle and has no idea what you’re facing. And, if you have to go to the Intertubes to confirm technical advice you probably aren’t qualified to understand what it’s saying anyway.
The SECOND BEST WAY TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT GETTING SCAMMED is to get a review from another qualified shop. The downside here is that auto repair advice isn’t always exact… ask two mechanics what to do and you’ll get three opinions. But, an honest shop can be a very good guide.
The BEST WAY TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT GETTING SCAMMED is to deal with a shop you can trust! Start with a small repair or oil change to test the waters and work up from there. Build a relationship and stick with them… they’ll appreciate you and will work hard to keep you happy. For all our best advice on finding a shop that does quality work you can trust, check out our article “Tips on finding a quality auto shop”.
