Common Auto Repair Scams

When it’s time to get some maintenance on your vehicle, you want to make sure it gets the proper care. Unfortunately, some mechanics out there may try to take advantage of your maintenance and repair needs. Some common auto scams are easy to spot once you know what to look out for. Learn how some mechanics might try to scam you and how you can avoid paying extra for repairs you don’t need. View our new inventory today, or If you have any questions give us a call at (817) 663-7404.

Vague Repairs

Image via Flickr by Randy Heinitz

If you think what a repair shop tells you sounds too general, trust your instincts. Bad shops try to scam customers by giving vague or general suggestions for repairs or replacements. For example, a mechanic might say that your car’s make and model typically needs a part changed once you reach a certain number of miles without even checking to see if they actually need to replace it.

If they make a suggestion, do your research on the repair or replacement, then ask them about the condition of that part of the system before authorizing work. You could also try asking to see the condition of the part yourself. If you’re still skeptical, call another mechanic for another opinion.

Dirty Air Filters

A common scam that some mechanics use involves your engine or cabin filter. While you wait at the shop for routine maintenance, the mechanic could show you a dirty air filter that supposedly came from your car and recommend an immediate replacement while they have your car on the lift. Some shops actually save dirty air filters from previous jobs so they can claim they came from your car to make extra money on the replacement.

To avoid this trick, learn more about how often you need to replace both your engine filter and cabin filter and keep track of when you or your mechanic last changed them. You can usually find replacement information in your vehicle’s user manual.

Add-Ons to Your Oil Change

When you take your car in for a routine oil change, the mechanic may try to suggest a list of other repairs and add-ons that your car probably doesn’t need. If your simple oil change takes on a life of its own, carefully consider what the mechanic wants to sell you. Repairs shops often barely break even when you go in for routine services, such as an oil change. A mechanic may look for other possible jobs while doing the oil change to help their own bottom line.

For example, the shop could call to say that your car needs synthetic or premium oil, and they can’t use a lower grade or it might negatively affect the engine. They ask you to come in to speak to a manager and sign off on using a new type of oil, then talk about a host of other issues they found with the car once they popped the hood. They could strongly recommend that you authorize the repairs while they already have your car for your own safety.

Check your user manual to see what type of oil your car actually needs before you take it in. Always ask for a second opinion before agreeing to any special add-ons or extra maintenance that your car likely doesn’t need.

Fraud on the Front End

This scam gets good mileage because it uses hard-to-identify parts and an elevated scare factor. If a mechanic says your vehicle needs front-end work, like new ball joints or bushings, do some research before agreeing to any repairs.

Most everyday car owners can’t identify or locate those parts easily. That uncertainly, coupled with scary warnings like steering loss, creates the ideal scenario for a scam. If you think your car was driving just fine before you got these warnings, take your car to a reputable mechanic or dealership to see what they find.

Faulty Brakes and False Leaks

Common scams include mechanics switching out low-cost repair solutions with huge replacement projects. For example, “bad” brakes might just need new brake pads and a rotor cleaning. Someone trying to scam you might suggest the only solution is to replace your rotors, pads, calipers, and brake fluid.

A bad shop may also try to sell you on a leak that doesn’t exist. A mechanic may even spray coolant somewhere on your engine so you think your “leaking” radiator needs a replacement. You can avoid this scam by simply asking the mechanic to point out exactly where they found the leak before agreeing to the suggested work.

Work While You Were Away

Some shops might take advantage of you if you drop off your car for maintenance and pick it up later in the day or week. They may call you when your car is ready and claim they needed to make several necessary repairs in addition to the maintenance you authorized. In order to get your car back, they demand hundreds or thousands of dollars for the extra work they did without your permission.

You should not pay for anything you didn’t first authorize. You will probably need to pay for the initial quote or even the labor used to investigate your car problems. However, a repair shop cannot do any work if you didn’t give written or verbal permission. They also can’t hold your car as collateral. You can call local police if a shop won’t return your vehicle. The scam works time and time again because car owners are afraid a shop can take their vehicle if they don’t pay.

Once you know the common auto repair scams to watch out for, you can keep your vehicle in the best possible shape without paying for additional work. Go to a reputable service center the next time you need repairs or maintenance. At Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth, we have an excellent service department with factory-trained technicians who provide some of the best services in the area. We also have special offers, promotions, and service coupons to ensure you can keep your car maintained at a good price.