2third of us drivers Don't Trust auto repair shops that's 63% according to the American Automobile Association as someone in the industry I've seen how mechanics take advantage of people who don't fully understand their cars they use overpriced Services unnecessary repairs and sneaky upsells to drain your wallet today I'm exposing 13 common scams mechanics used and how to spot and avoid them and make sure you stick around round because at the end I'll share one simple rule to make sure you never fall for a scam again let's dive in scam number one the Urgent fluid flush
ever heard this your coolant looks terrible it needs a flush now here's the truth most fluids last 50,000 to 100,000 mil but shops often push flushes way earlier sometimes at just 30,000 M why because it's easy money for them the car care Council says many drivers fall for this they'll show you a dirty sample but it might not even be from your car always ask for proof a simple test strip or lab report can show if your fluid is actually bad no proof walk away and don't let them scare you with words like sludge or
contamination most fluids are designed to last if your car's manual says you're good for another 20,000 M trust it not the mechanics upsell remember a flush might cost $100 to $300 but skipping an unnecessary one saves you cash and keeps your car running just fine don't let fear drain your wallet scam number two the mystery check engine light This Little Light terrifies drivers and mechanics know it they'll say it's serious could cost $11,000 plus to fix but here's the truth the EPA says 10% of check engine lights are triggered by minor issues like a loose
gas cap the problem most of us don't know how to read the codes that's where they get you they throw around terms Like Oxygen Sensor failure or catalytic converter issue to make it sound complicated but you don't need to be an expert here's a simple fix buy a $20 OBD2 scanner I've linked one in the description below plug it into your car's Port usually under the steering wheel and it'll give you the exact code Google it and you'll know if it's a big deal or just just a quick fix for example code P0455 loose or
faulty gas cap tighten it or replace it for $15 code P 0171 system tolean often a dirty air filter or small vacuum leak code P0420 catalytic converter efficiency below threshold sometimes just a bad oxygen sensor scam number three unnecessary air filter Replacements mechanics love this one they'll pull out a filter caked with dirt and dead bugs and say look how bad yours is but wait is that your filter or one they keep in the back to scare customers here's the kicker most air filters last 15,000 to 30,000 M unless you're driving through a dust storm
daily yours is probably fine the Car Care Council says one in four drivers get tricked into replacing theirs too early want to shut this down pop the hood yourself the air filter is right here if it looks like this tell them to stop the nonsense is it dirty buy a filter online and swap it in 30 seconds Pro tip snap a photo of your filter before the inspection catch them red-handed if they try the swap scam number four upselling synthetic oil you bring your car in and suddenly the mechanic insists your car needs synthetic oil
it's better for the engine sounds convincing right but here's what they're not telling you 75% of cars run perfectly fine on Con ventional oil according to Consumer Reports synthetic oil is great for high performance engines or extreme temperatures but if your owner's manual doesn't specifically require it you're wasting money synthetic costs twice as much as conventional and guess what your car won't run any better or last longer just because you paid extra mechanics push synthetic because it's pure profit for them they'll say things like it reduces wear or your engine's noisy without it but unless
you're driving a sports car or Towing heavy loads stick with what your manual recommends still unsure check your oil cap or manual if it says 5W30 conventional or similar that's your answer and don't fall for the upgrade pitch during routine changes save your cash for repairs that actually matter scam number five the brake pad scare ever been told your brake pads are dangerously thin or at 10% life this scare tactic works because brakes feel urgent but mechanics often exaggerate to rush you into Replacements brake pads don't need replacing until they're worn down to 3 mm
thickness most shops though will push it at 5 mm or higher the national highway traffic safety administration says pads below 3 mm risk damaging rotors but above that you're safe here's what to do ask to see the measurement an honest mechanic will show you with a caliper or G age if they refuse or say trust me red flag should fly check your owner's manual too many cars have wear indicators that squeak when pads are actually low and never let them fix brakes without your approval One customer told me a shop replaced his pads and rotors
for $400 only to learn later they were still at 4 mm don't let fear override logic tip break jobs are pricey always get a second opinion if they claim it's urgent a $50 inspection elsewhere could save you hundreds but if you're eventually going to replace them all at once go ahead it's inevitable yes it might feel like a bit of a hit but at least you did it after avoiding a scam scam number six fake Factory only Parts they'll say you need Factory Parts aftermarket Ones Will void your warranty but that's a myth let's clear
this up OEM Parts original equipment manufacturer are made by the company that applied your cars maker they're identical to what your car came with but here's the problem dealers charge two to three times more for them an $80 aftermarket alternator becomes $200 just because it has the car Brand's logo the National Automotive Parts Association did a study 89% of aftermarket parts perform just as well as OEM and they're 30 to 50% cheaper unless your warranty explicitly requires OEM Parts like some Mercedes or high-end cars which is rare you're throwing money away for example a Honda
Civic oxygen sensor costs $250 for OEM and $75 aftermarket both pass emissions tests both last year's the difference your mechanics profit margin always ask is there a quality aftermarket option and check your warranty paperwork it likely says genuine or equivalent don't let them upsell you on brand names scam number seven overcharging for simple fixes this scam is all about laziness yours not theirs mechanics know most drivers won't Google how to replace a cabin air filter so they charge $150 for a 5-minute job let's peel back the curtain replacing this filter takes zero skill open the
glove box pop out the old one and slide in the new one done yet shops Bill 30 plus minutes of Labor because they assume you'll never YouTube it here's the math a cabin air filter costs $10 to $20 online mechanics mark it up to 50 then add $100 labor total scam same with wiper blades a 2-minute swap they'll charge $80 for the fix search your cars make plus cabin air filter DIY on YouTube you'll find tutorials showing every step save the labor cash for something that actually requires expertise scam number eight the Phantom repair this
one's infuriating you pay for a new fuel pump or transmission flush only to later Discover it never happened the Federal Trade Commission reports that $2 billion is lost yearly to auto repair fraud and Phantom repairs are a huge chunk of that how does it work they'll claim they replaced a part or performed a service but your car never actually got it a friend of mine paid $600 for a timing belt replacement only to find out after a second inspection that the original crack belt was was still there protect yourself always ask to see the old
Parts they removed no leftovers red flag request before and after photos of the repair any reputable shop will provide them if they refuse take your business elsewhere check your invoice closely look for vague terms like adjusted components or system service demand specifics if they can't detail the work dispute the charge your bank or credit card company will back you up scam number nine your warranty is voided lie dealerships love this one they'll say if you don't get your oil changed here your warranty is void or using aftermarket parts cancels your coverage that's a lie let's
set the record straight the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act protects you it says manufacturers can't void your warranty just because you used an independent shop or non OEM Parts as long as the work is done properly and meets the manufacture facturer standards your warranty stays intact for example if you change your oil at a local shop using quality filters and fluids your powertrain warranty can't be cancelled the same goes for brakes tires or even major repairs dealers might try to scare you but they're banking on you not knowing your rights always keep receipts and records of
maintenance if a dealer denies a warranty claim unfairly file a complaint with the FTC see they've cracked down on this scam before and they'll do it again scam number 10 blinker fluid and other fake products this one's so absurd it's almost funny Until you realize people actually fall for it yes some shops still joke about blinker fluid or Muffler bearings but others take it further selling fake or overpriced products to unsuspecting drivers for example premium windshield washer fluid dealers charge $50 for a gallon claiming its special formula in reality it's the same fluid you buy
at any store or fuel injector cleaner some shops push it as a miracle fix but most modern fuels already have additives that do the same job then there's the classic headlight restoration kit scam they'll charge 100 plus to restore your cloudy headlights but a $10 kit from the auto store works just as well or Worse they'll sell you entirely unnecessary products like AC recharge kits when your system just needs a simple fix the bottom line if it sounds too good or too silly to be true it probably is always research products before buying and don't
let them upsell you on things your car doesn't need Pro tip if a mechanic mentions blinker fluid walk out they're either joking or scamming scam number 11 the shock strut upsell here's a classic your shocks or struts are shot they need replacing but how do they know often it's just because your car hit a certain mileage that's not how it works shocks and struts don't wear out based on Miles alone they fail due to driving conditions potholes rough roads or heavy loads most last 50,000 to 100,000 M but some go even longer here's how to
test them press down firmly on each corner of your car if it bounces more than twice after you let go then your shocks or struts might need attention if it settles quickly they're fine mechanics often push Replacements at 60,000 M claiming it's preventative but unless you're noticing a rough ride poor handling or uneven tire wear don't fall for it a full strut replacement can cost $1,000 plus so always get a second opinion and don't let them scare you with phrases like safety hazard if your car drives smoothly and handles well you're likely fine scam number
12 inflated labor hours ever get a bill that says 3 hours of labor for a job that took 30 minutes that's this scam shops often charge based on book time a standardized estimate of how long a repair should take but experienced mechanics can do it faster and you still pay the full amount for example replacing an alternator might have a book time of 2 hours a skilled mechanic could finish in one but your build for two that extra hour pure profit for them here's how to fight back check labor rates on sites like repair pal
or your mechanic they show fair prices for your cars make and model if the Shop's quote is way higher ask why also ask for a breakdown of labor costs if they can't explain how they arrived at 3 hours for a simple break job walk away always get a written estimate before approving work if the final bill exceeds it by more than 10% you can dispute the charges scam number 13 the free inspection trap who doesn't love the word free that's why this scam works so well shops lure you in with a free inspection only to
hit you with a long list of urgent repairs AA found that 22% of free inspections lead to unnecessary fixes here's how it plays out they'll say your suspension is shot or your belts are about to break but often these problems are exaggerated or completely made up for example a shop might claim your serpentine belt is cracking and needs immediate replacement in reality minor surface cracks are normal and don't affect performance or they'll say your suspension is worn out when it's just fine the fix never approve repairs on the spot say I'll think about it and
get a second opinion a trustworthy mechanic will confirm if if the work is truly needed and don't fall for the limited time offer pressure repairs aren't emergencies unless your car is unsafe to drive take your time do your research and don't let free cost you hundreds here's my number one rule to never get scammed always get a second opinion if a mechanic says you need a repair ask for proof photos of the issue or the old Parts They removed then check reviews on BBB or Yelp shops with Shady tactics crumble under accountability and that's it
13 mechanic scams Everyone Falls for if this video saved you money hit that subscribe button and ring the bell so you never miss our tips want to learn more click the link below to watch our next video car Secrets only the most experienced drivers know
