How to Spot a Bad Mechanic

Credit for picture: http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-auto-mechanic-i8158.html

Not all mechanics are bad. In fact, many of them are good, honest, and trustworthy workers. They would rather take a hit to give you good customer service than to rip you off. These saints of the field are not the face of the car mechanics industry however. The mechanic’s industry is known for ripping off customers and purposely misleading them to make an extra buck. The biggest problem is how difficult it can be to distinguish between the two. Both profess to be the cleanest in the business, but one only says he is. How can you tell the difference? Here are a few things people are saying to look for.

Beware of scare tactics when the mechanic talks to you. If he tells you that you need something and you need it right away, throw up a red flag. Although it could be true that you need it right away, if he or she starts pressuring you, you can be sure that what is really needed right away is your credit card. Good mechanics will tell you an honest assessment of the vehicle and tell you what you need to get done as well; they just won’t apply the extra pressure and won’t make you feel guilty about taking it to a different shop.

Finally, look for a guarantee. Most new products come directly from the manufacturer and will have a guarantee attached to them. If you’re getting a part replaced and the mechanic offer a guarantee on any of it, then there is a good likelihood that they are using refurbished parts. And unless you ask about it, they might just charge you the price of a new part for it. Look for guarantees on your items.

Many look for the famed “abandoned car.” This car is dusty. It’s obviously broken and hasn’t been touched in years. It even can come with a For Sale sign in the window. Many believe that it as a sign for overpriced service. The owner of the car probably didn’t have enough money to pay the bill and had to leave it there. Or the shop couldn’t repair it. This is not always the meaning of a dusty old car at a shop. Sometimes the “abandoned car” could be a decorative piece or a side project to fix up. Investigate the issue in that case. You should especially be wary if you see multiple abandoned cars.

These are just a few things to look for when it comes to getting your car fixed. There will be many similarities in the way a good mechanic and a bad mechanic look on the outside, but consider these three factors the next time you go looking to repair car trouble.