Auto repair shops can be a terrifying proposition for some people. Not because they are scared of the cost of getting their car repaired, but of having to deal with the repair people being overly aggressive or cheating them out of their money. Many of these shifty auto repair shops employ similar tactics, so here is a list of 4 commonly used ways an auto repair shop dupes you out of your money.
- Oil Changes: Many auto repair shops will tell you that you need to get an oil change more often than necessary. Not all cars use the same oil, so make sure to check your owner’s manual to see how often your oil actually needs to be changed.
- Fuel Injectors: Replacing fuel injectors, like oil, is part of regular maintenance of the car. Different fuel injectors can last different amounts of time, but it is important to be aware of how frequently yours are changed. Keep track of how many miles your current fuel injectors have on them and compare it to your owner’s manual maintenance schedule to make sure an auto repair shop is not tricking you into a fuel injector replacement you don’t need.
- Leaking Fluids: A particularly unethical auto repair shop will tell you that you have a leak of some sort, and then spray a part of the car with coolant. If you have never seen your car leave behind a coolant puddle, then you should be skeptical. Don’t let an auto repair shop trick you into believing your car has a leak when they are just playing you for a fool and taking your money.
There are many scams that a sketchy auto repair shop can pull, but as long as you are aware of what is going on under the hood and keeping along with the owner’s manual maintenance schedule then you should be safe. And if you ever feel like an auto repair shop is defrauding you, don’t be afraid to refuse service and get a second opinion from a different mechanic.
