Tips to Avoid Auto Repair Rip-Offs

Your car dies, it’s out of warranty and you need to get it fixed ASAP. So you have it towed to a shop close to your home and bum a ride to work. Later the mechanic calls to tell you that you need a new timing belt and how much the repair will cost. And since you’re having that done, he says that you might as well replace the water pump since it’s starting to leak, and you should really think about having the brakes done too. Plus you’re due for an oil change.

Once you have an estimate — and you get over the sticker shock — you tell him to go ahead and do the work, since you’ve already gone through the trouble of having the car towed in. But you can’t help but wonder if the mechanic is being straight with you or if he’s just looking for an opportunity to make a few bucks off your vulnerability and lack of knowledge about cars.

It doesn’t help that most people typically need their car repaired right away, and getting other estimates can be a hassle — or maybe impossible if you can’t drive around to different shops. But there are easy ways you can protect yourself from being taken advantage of and even save yourself some time, trouble and money. And while the majority of mechanics out there are reputable, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch. As with almost any business transaction, it’s your responsibility to make sure you get the best deal and service.

Here are some tips to help you from getting ripped off when getting your car repaired:

Get It in Writing

Before a shop begins work on your car, make sure you understand exactly what’s being done, what’s included and how much it will cost. While the shop may want some wiggle room in an estimate in case something unexpected comes up, for many repairs (especially routine maintenance), the shop should know what it will cost and be able to put it in writing. And make sure the quote includes everything needed for the job, says Austin Davis, author of the e-book What Your Mechanic Doesn’t Want You to Know. "If you need a new water pump and you get a quote of $250, ask if that includes filling the radiator with antifreeze afterwards," he says. "Always ask how much it’s going to be for the complete job, including any extras."

Don’t Be Oversold

Most shops will tell you if you need other work done on your vehicle — it’s their job. The best ones will give you options rather than pressuring you into doing it all at once and hitting you with a huge bill. Also beware of shops that give you a long list of repairs when you brought the car in for only one thing, says John Neilson, director of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair Network. "Anytime you feel they’re trying to sell you something you don’t need," Neilson says, "you’ll want to get a second opinion."

Get on a Schedule

One way to avoid being oversold on service — and perhaps avoiding costly repairs in the first place — is to stick with the car manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. "It helps if you plan your maintenance rather than waiting to fix something when it breaks," Neilson says. "It’s usually cheaper and less traumatic."

Follow Recommendations

Speaking of scheduled maintenance, while the old rule of thumb was to change the engine oil every 3,000 miles, in many cars today it can be 5,000, or even 10,000 miles between oil changes "If anybody recommends you do anything other than what the manufacturer recommends, I’d be concerned," Neilson notes. "That holds true for any number of fluids in the car, whether it’s the rear end, transmission fluid or coolant. What I would do is bring out the owner’s manual and say, ‘Here’s what the manufacturer says. Why are you telling me differently?’ I can think of a couple of cases where there might be an explanation, but by and large it’s going to be an indication that they are trying to sell you more than you really need."

Communicate Clearly

Davis says many misunderstandings between car owners and mechanics come down to miscommunication. "I tell people there are a lot of really good mechanics out there," he says. "But they may not communicate well or be the best businessmen." According to Davis, "the number-one reason people feel they got scammed is because the mechanic fixed the wrong problem, and not the problem they came in for." So make sure the mechanic understands what you need done, and that he explains what he will be doing on your car.

Go for a Drive

One way to avoid the previous scenario, especially if the repair is something that comes and goes or involves a noise at a certain speed, is to have the mechanic go for a ride so he can accurately assess the problem. "A good mechanic will get in the car with a customer and say, ‘Show me the noise so I can properly fix it,’" Davis says. "And if they’re not going to take the time to go around the block, they are probably going to waste your time and theirs."

Get to Know Your Mechanic

AAA’s Neilson feels that the best way to keep from getting scammed is to find a shop you trust and take your car there instead of using a different shop every time. "I think where people are most vulnerable is when they go to a shop that they’ve never been to, and unfortunately most people do that when it is more than just an oil change or tire rotation." In establishing a relationship with a shop Neilson suggests going there for oil changes, tire rotations and other routine services. "Then when it comes time for a larger repair job," he says, "you feel more comfortable."

Avoid Tow Troubles

Another advantage of establishing a relationship with a mechanic is if you get stranded, he may work with a towing company that can get your vehicle to the shop. "It can be a real pain when you don’t have the towing company and the repair shop lined up when you’re involved in an accident or your car breaks down and you need to make a split-second decision on where to go," Davis says. A good shop will usually work with a particular towing service, he adds. "They can pick up the car and bill the shop for service, so you don’t need cash on the spot." Plus, the towing service may be able to secure your car at the shop. "That way, if it’s after hours your car isn’t sitting out on the street waiting for the shop to open," Davis adds.

Try Them Out

Unfortunately, the best shop may not be the one that’s most convenient. "You usually end up getting burned because you went to some shop down the street because it was convenient and you didn’t know where else to take it," says Davis. AAA’s Neilson says that if you are using a shop because it’s convenient, you should try them out with a small job. "Maybe get an oil change first," he says. "Do they treat you well? Is the place clean? Do they have certified mechanics?"

Look for Signs

Neilson also recommends using one of over 8,000 repair shops in the U.S. that are AAA approved. "Since 1976 we’ve been identifying repair shops and inspecting them on a quarterly basis — checking their customer satisfaction, their training records and so on so we can identify quality shops for our members," he says. "They’ll have a sign that says AAA-approved auto repair."

Get a Guarantee

A good mechanic should stand behind his work, so ask for a guarantee. "And get the guarantee in writing and find out what it covers," says Davis. It also may be worth paying a little extra at a dealership for large jobs, such as a transmission overhaul, so that no matter where you are the work is covered. "That way if you’re on vacation you can go to any, say, Ford dealership and the work may be covered under the warranty," Davis adds.

If you do run into problems with a shop, try to work it out with them first, since most honest mechanics will try to make it right. If that doesn’t work, you can report the shop to the Better Business Bureau, and if you’re a AAA member and the shop is AAA approved, the association will step in on your behalf. "We have ASE Master Technicians who will go in and look at what happened," Neilson says. "And if the shop did something wrong, they will make them step up to the plate and do what’s right."