How To Avoid Auto Repair Scams
November 17th, 2008
Reports of auto repair fraud are increasing and Americans lose each year millions of dollars on repair scams.
The most widespread scam is to make the unsuspecting motorist pay imaginary repairs or for “replacing” perfectly working parts. Because most of us have only some basic mechanical knowledge, this is the easiest scam used by unethical auto repair shops.
The flat rate scam
There is also the flat rate scam. Many auto mechanics base your repair bill on a standard “flat rate”, taking into consideration factors such as your car model, its year of manufacture and the type of repair being done. You pay that flat rate even if the actual repair time is less than the repair’s “standard time”. But you get billed if the repair exceeds the flat rate time!
Counterfeit parts
The third scam and probably the most dangerous is the use of counterfeit parts. Not only they may render your car manufacturer’s warranty void, these parts are often of a low quality and wear out more rapidly than original ones. Not to mention the risk of causing you an accident.
And the tips
Here are a few tips to avoid being skinned alive by unscrupulous auto repair shops:
• Know your car. Most of us prefer to have nothing to do with what is going on under our car’s bonnet. But it pays to have even some basic knowledge on how your car functions. This will avoid you running in panic to an auto repair shop at the slightest mechanical glitch.
• Ask about the basis used by your auto repair shop to bill you. Will you be billed on the actual time it takes to service your car? If your auto repair shop has a flat rate, on what basis are extra costs worked out?
• Ask questions. Most unscrupulous auto repair shops rely on your natural fear of asking a stupid question. But remember that you are the one paying for the repairs and you have every right to know what you are paying for.
• Ask for credentials. Look for certifications and qualifications. Is the auto repair shop’s owner ASE-certified? What is their reputation? Do they have a history of customer complaints?
• Phone around. Get two or three written price estimates on the job to be done.
• Read the contract’s fine print, especially the disclaimer part. That is where most bad auto repair mechanics hide all sorts of clauses which allow them to get away with almost anything.
• Find out if you will be charged a penalty if you decide to take your car elsewhere. And know how much that will be.