| Car repair problems entail the largest group of | | | | times installed in your vehicle, yet the mechanics |
| consumer complaints in the country. The National | | | | charge you as if they are new parts. Always ask |
| Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates | | | | for your old or damaged part back after it has |
| that consumers lose billions of dollars every year | | | | been replaced. This will help maintain integrity in |
| due to unnecessary or substandard auto repairs. | | | | your car mechanic. |
| While most car repair shops are legitimate, there | | | | Fake car parts |
| are some dishonest car mechanics running shops | | | | To cut down on costs, some crooked car |
| in many parts of the country. It is very simple for | | | | mechanics use fake or counterfeit car parts in |
| crooked car mechanics to compel car owners | | | | place of quality replacement parts. The price |
| that unnecessary repairs are required because the | | | | difference can be significant but you will not see |
| average Joe knows nothing about cars. People do | | | | the savings. The repair shops will charge you the |
| not realize that they are being scammed. This | | | | full amount of a genuine part and will "forget" to |
| makes proving car repair fraud cumbersome. | | | | inform you of this. This business practice can |
| Even those customers who suspect that they | | | | endanger you out on the road. Fake car parts, in |
| have been gypped by a crooked car mechanic do | | | | general, wear out sooner than genuine parts. |
| not know what to do in order to make their case. | | | | Determining the fake from the real car parts is |
| In this article, we will describe the various car | | | | difficult because the product counterfeiters often |
| repair scams. Familiarize yourself with our advice | | | | replicate trademarks or change them slightly that |
| the next time you take your car into a repair | | | | it takes an expert to tell the difference. If you |
| shop. We will also provide some advice on how to | | | | believe that counterfeit car parts have been used |
| reduce your chances of becoming a victim to a | | | | in lieu of quality parts, file a report with your state |
| crooked car mechanic or repair shop. | | | | attorney general's office or local Better Business |
| Highway robbery | | | | Bureau. |
| This is one of the oldest car repair scams in the | | | | Bait and Switch Repair Scams |
| book. These "highway robbers" own or work for | | | | Many car repair scams start off with an ultra-low |
| service stations. They prey upon drivers who | | | | price on a specific repair job; i.e. the bait. The |
| stop to pump gasoline, get air or water, or use | | | | repair shop reels in a customer with an advertised |
| the bathroom. There are various tactics they use | | | | price on shocks and then finds ways to jack up |
| to part the unsuspecting driver from his money. | | | | the repair invoice with several other repairs; i.e. |
| They have been found spraying oil or dripping it | | | | the switch. Imagine that you bring your car in to |
| under a car then claiming that there is a leak from | | | | take advantage of the special. Once there, they |
| the driver's car. They have also been found | | | | will tell you that you need this, this, and this. This |
| slashing tires and cutting water hoses and fan | | | | is a classical bait and switch scam. The only |
| belts so that the driver will be forced to purchase | | | | difference is that you will receive the advertised |
| new ones. These robbers target the danger that | | | | special, but you will also end up paying a shotload |
| the driver faces if they attempt to drive off | | | | of money on repairs you did not expect. |
| without making the necessary repairs and many | | | | Tips to follow when getting your car fixed |
| times charge hefty prices. | | | | |
| Repair Estimate Fraud | | | | 1. Ask for a written estimate before you sign off |
| Customers who do not get repair estimates in | | | | on repairs. Most states require that a repair shop |
| writing experience the consequences when they | | | | give an estimate in writing. If the repairs are |
| come to pick up their cars. When the customer | | | | expected to be greater than the estimate, they |
| drops off the car, he gets a reasonable quote, | | | | must call you for your approval. |
| but at the end of the day, the customer | | | | 2. Ask for a written guarantee Get all guarantees |
| discovers that the repair shop has jacked up the | | | | in writing. Make sure that the shop honors its |
| final bill from the original verbal quote. This may | | | | guarantees. |
| seem legal, since many car mechanics find more | | | | 3. Do a background check on the repair shop |
| problems under the hood once the work begins. | | | | Contact the Better Business Bureau if there are |
| Car mechanics and repair shops have been known | | | | any complaints made against the shop by other |
| to leave blank the estimate amounts when they | | | | customers. |
| have customers sign repair invoices. After the | | | | 4. Do not get gypped into paying for unnecessary |
| customer leaves, they fill in an inflated amount or | | | | repairs Do not tell a repair shop what repairs to |
| an elaborate description of the problems. | | | | perform unless you are certain that you need the |
| Maintenance Hook Fraud | | | | repairs. |
| Repair shops will advertise tune-ups or preventive | | | | 5. Get a second or third opinion You may have to |
| maintenance service at very affordable rates. | | | | pay for the estimates, but you could save |
| Crooked repair shops will then use these | | | | yourself a bundle of money by searching for the |
| maintenance specials to "hook" or "snag" and | | | | best deal. |
| deceive their customers. A simple oil change and | | | | 6. Look for a repair shop that employs certified |
| lubrication order can turn into very costly repairs. | | | | car mechanics before the time for repairs comes |
| Some mechanics will purposefully damage the | | | | You can take your time in shopping for an honest |
| vehicle during an inspection to inflate the bill and | | | | repair shop, and you will not be hasty. |
| "uncover" other car problems. | | | | 7. Ask them to provide you with your used car |
| Willful misrepresentation of repairs | | | | part Be sure to ask that they provide you with |
| Today's vehicles are sophisticated, high-tech cars. | | | | your used car part so that you can rest assured |
| The average Joe is not cognizant on how to fix | | | | that they are being honest about installing a new |
| or maintain their car. For this reason, it is very | | | | or reconditioned part. |
| simple for crooked auto mechanics to gyp the | | | | 8. Be sure that the repair shop honors any |
| customer. | | | | existing warranty on your vehicle If so, the parts |
| This makes it difficult for the car's owner to | | | | and labor may be covered by the factory's or |
| decide on whether or not to have the car | | | | extended warranty. |
| repaired. Be cautious of a mechanic who seems | | | | 9. Look for cleanliness and professionalism in the |
| very adamant at explaining the problem with your | | | | repair shop Good repair shops are usually kempt |
| car. Always seek a second opinion and definitely | | | | and organized. Their staff's demeanor is very |
| get an estimate of repair costs before signing off | | | | professional. Legitimate repair shops will not |
| on any repairs. | | | | pressure you into making unnecessary repairs and |
| Part replacement problems | | | | will take the time to answer any questions you |
| Many crooked mechanics have been known to | | | | might have. |
| charge customers for parts that were not even | | | | There are many forms of consumer fraud going |
| bought or installed. Furthermore, the mechanic will | | | | on nowadays. It is up to you to educate yourself |
| charge you for the labor cost to install a part that | | | | on what is or is not legitimate. Hopefully, our |
| does not even exist. This is definitely scamming | | | | advice will minimize your chances of becoming a |
| the customer. The old parts swap is another | | | | victim of the crime of car repair fraud. |
| common parts scam. Used car parts are often | | | | |