Ways Your Car Mechanic Is Overcharging You

The vast majority of technicians, managers, and owners in automotive repair shops are honest and ethical. You will find no shortage of folks willing to extend a helping hand and look for ways to get you on your way without having to spend more than necessary. However, there are enough scoundrels and crooks in the industry to form an indelible black mark on the lot.

In 2014, ABC News set out to test the integrity of a few shops in the New York area. With an unplugged mass airflow sensor, they found a couple of shops willing to plug it in for no charge and send them on their way. Another shop suggested a $300 replacement part plus labor but offered to repair it himself for just $190. In the end, their hidden camera showed him only cleaning the outside of the engine, while another shop said the check engine light was one because the sensor needed to be cleaned, at a cost of $99.

Another less insidious waste of money is unwittingly having your car diagnosed by what Consumer Reports call a “Parts Replacer.” Instead of doing a thorough evaluation to find the root cause of an issue, the technician, often inexperienced, will recommend replacing various parts until it works.