Picking a good, honest mechanic or service center can be difficult. Do you trust the repair shop near you, the one with just a handful of online reviews and good word of mouth? Do you go with a big chain store for your auto parts? Do you bring your car into the dealership’s service department and call it a day?
Ultimately, there’s no “one size fits all” answer, so we can’t tell you what to do. However, we can help minimize the stress associated with getting your car repaired. Here are a few potential signs of dishonest mechanics.
How to Know if a Mechanic is Scamming You
They Refuse to Show You the Faulty or Damaged Car Part
Customers aren’t usually invited into the shop due to safety and liability reasons, but you still have the right to request evidence of the supposed damaged part. Should the mechanic refuse to bring you through the shop floor, you can ask for videos or photos of the issue if the part can’t be removed.
Additionally, if you choose to get a replacement part, ask them to indicate what brand and model the part is on your invoice and receipt. Better yet, ask for the packaging and the old part so you know you’re receiving a new component, not a used one or an aftermarket one of low quality.
They Tack on A Bunch of Unexpected Upcharges
Sometimes, when you bring your car into the shop, you may know exactly what’s wrong with it or at least have some idea. However, some mechanics may try to bring up completely unrelated issues like brakes. Of course, they may be correct, but it’s often a good idea to get a second opinion anyway.
They Can’t Explain What’s Wrong or the Repair Process
When a mechanic or service technician presents you with a solution to your car problem, they should be able to explain everything to you in simple layman's terms. This includes what the problem is, which tests they conducted, why the problem occurred, what is needed to fix the problem, and which parts are being installed. If they cannot, get a second opinion.
They Don’t Give You a Detailed Invoice
After services are rendered and your car is repaired, don’t forget to ask for an invoice. This document should have a clear and concise breakdown of parts and labor, as well as the dollar amount associated with each item.
You should also get into the habit of saving all service invoices in case you need to reference them later.
They Use Fear Tactics to Scare You into Making Repairs
“Your vehicle is too dangerous to drive without fixing the problem. I wouldn’t be surprised if your car broke down or even caught fire on the way home.”
Although some car problems are certainly unsafe, you should raise an eyebrow anytime a mechanic attempts to use fear to sway your opinion. While their assessment may be accurate, it’s best to get a second opinion, even if that means getting a tow to another mechanic or auto shop near you.
They Have Only 5-Star Reviews
It’s nearly impossible to please every single customer. Even the most satisfied of customers will find something slightly negative to write about a service, product or company. When searching for a mechanic near you, look for patterns of customer complaints, and be wary of any shop that has 100% 5-star reviews, because some of them may not be legitimate.
The Shop's Turnover Rate of Service Managers is High
Good leadership encourages staff to be and do their best. Service managers who stay with a dealership or auto repair shop for a long time are more likely to be both good leaders and experienced mechanics who like troubleshooting problems.
If you aren't familiar with the service center's staff, ask them how long their manager(s) have been there.
They Don’t Speak with You if There Are Additional Charges
An honest mechanic or service technician will always call you if parts or labor costs will exceed what was quoted in an estimate. Shady car repair shops will simply do the work and add on the extra cost when releasing your vehicle from the service bay.
They’re Not Certified Technicians
Although it’s not necessary for mechanics to have any accreditation or education from a technical school, it shows that they’re experienced and knowledgeable in their field. Some mechanics will have a specialty, too, including a specialization to work on a specific vehicle make.
The use of certified auto technicians is one of the main reasons why a dealership’s service center is a wise choice. All work is insured, under warranty, and performed by trained mechanics. If a car repair isn’t done properly, the dealer’s service department is legally obligated to redo the job.
What Can I Do if a Mechanic Rips Me Off?
It doesn’t happen very often, but once in a while, you may hear a story about an unscrupulous or inept mechanic. If you suspect that you’ve run into this situation yourself, here are a few things you can do:
- Gather all invoices and receipts, as well as any sort of correspondence you’ve had with the shop.
- Seek out a second opinion from a different shop to confirm whether the work was up to par.
- Once you’ve built a strong case as to why you feel you got a bad deal, contact the business and calmly explain the situation. At this point, if you or the shop made an honest mistake, the shop may either offer an explanation or offer to correct the mistake.
- If the mechanic or shop worker is confrontational, it may be a sign that they’re not operating above board. At this point, you have a few options, including disputing the charge on your credit card, filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or local Attorney General, or even taking the matter to small claims court. Whatever you do, it’s best to make sure that you’re correct in your suspicions; otherwise, it may prove to be a waste of time.
Schedule Luxury Car Repairs Near Aventura, FL
If you’d like an import car repair quote in Miami, visit our Bentley service center today. We are certified to perform Bentley maintenance and repairs, but we also have extensive experience servicing other luxury makes and models, including Bugatti, Genesis, Rolls-Royce and BMW.
Schedule an appointment online or contact Bentley Miami at (786) 577-5218 to book your preferred date and time. Our Bentley dealership in Miami is located at 2060 Biscayne Blvd and serves drivers throughout South Florida.
