Rip-Offs Car Repair
Unless you are a car mechanic yourself facing a repair shop may require a leap of faith, but if you pay attention to what is said and done your mechanic, you will find clues that could tell you if you are being duped Here are some things mechanics can tell when they're planning to take you for a ride and we do not mean in your car.
1 Get this engine rinsed immediately or he's toast Beware if the idea of your regular mechanic has little resemblance to the recommendations in the owner's manual Some stores are building the translation pad notes Bill recommending additional procedures and often unnecessary, as flashes of engine and transmission, or planning some prematurely hawk generic maintenance schedules tasks to high price may omit procedures your car needs.
Use extra caution if the store made every recommendation sounds like an emergency, said Larry Hecker, chairman of the insurance program for motorists, a nonprofit group that accredits repair shops.
2 This Camry rebuilt alternator you run 899 If you know that your cousin has paid only 399 for similar work, you d better call around to check Although good shops can charge higher prices to cover costs high-flying technicians and equipment, bills that are still 20 to 30 percent more than the going rate should warn you, warns John Nielsen, director of AAA auto repair network you can query other stores for how the mechanics much in your area are charging for current and maintenance repairs to complex problems, try comparing prices only pieces calling parts shops or dealer parts services, advises Deanna Sclar, a expert auto repair and auto repair writer for Dummies.
3 We thought that new fuel injectors would fix, but it seems you need a new fuel pump Uh-oh You may be dealing with a so-called substitute parts, is a mechanic who's literally rebuild your car because it can t diagnose the problem, said Chuck Roberts, executive director of industrial relations at the National Institute for automotive Service excellence, an organization that certifies automotive technicians Make mechanic justifies the initial repair Although she was a misdiagnosis honest, the shop must refund the amount of the first repair or restoration follows If the mechanic gets bad diagnosis yet, stop replacing parts and replace the store.
4 With some cars, it is not uncommon to go through an entrance annually Yeah, right This can be a tip-off that the store does the work of incorrectly parts or used in bad quality or wealth rather than those appropriate call other stores to see what they think or check the web to see if the discussion group, devoted to your model and its problems, you can take the car to another repair shop for a second opinion if the original job was lacking, ask the store that work to repeat the repair is free or at a substantial discount.
5 You must bring your car to the dealership for service course the dealer wants all lucrative repair and maintenance But in general, you must use a reseller for the work covered by the warranty, recalls, post -guaranteed fixed you're hoping the manufacturer will pay for its sub goodwill program, or high-tech systems that require a specialist dealer.
Get right repairs at a fair price depends in part on communication with your mechanic here is what to say and wait.
Describe the problem fully provide as much information as possible Note the symptoms and when they occur, if possible, talk directly to the mechanic working on your car.
Don t offer a diagnosis Avoid saying what you think is causing the problem you can be on the hook for any repairs to the store is your suggestion, even if they don t solve the problem.
Request a Test Drive If the problem occurs only when the car is moving, ask the mechanic to accompany you on a test drive.
Ask evidence If you are not comfortable with the diagnosis, ask the shop to show the wear of brake pads or rusted exhaust pipes are easy to see Do not let the mechanic refuse your request saying that his insurance company doesn t allow customers in the work area Insist on evidence anyway.
For expert advice on car repairs, see our maintenance repair of discussion in our forum section available to subscribers.
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