Whether you live in Bend Oregon or Detroit Michigan, you could be the victim of an auto repair scam. Auto repair shops across the country are taking advantage of consumers like you and making millions of dollars more than their normal profit.
Now not all auto repair shops are doing this. The majority are honest and above board with their customers. However, this particular business type has the highest rate of scams and fraud of any other types of business. A recent study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that American consumers lose tens of billions of dollars every year due to faulty or unnecessary car repairs.
Unethical mechanics find it very easy to convince car owners that unnecessary repairs are needed on their vehicles because most car owners know very little about their cars. Most often, they aren't even aware they're being scammed! This makes proving car repair fraud almost impossible.
Here are some typical auto repair scams and how to avoid them. Scams are sometimes hard to detect so be very alert to any signs or key words you see or hear as you're talking with a repair shop.
Repair Scams on the Road
As you're travelling cross country on the open road, you periodically need gas, air in your tires, or to get your oil checked. Some crooked service station owners will take this opportunity to scam you by dripping oil under your car, cutting fan belts or hoses, and even puncturing a tire. Then they'll charge you a premium to do these repairs.
How can you avoid these "Highway Robbers"? The best way is to get gas, water, and air only at large, well-known service stations. Don't pull into one of those small dingy gas stations with rusty cars strewn around the property. These are oftentimes far away from larger cities, way out in desolate areas. Plan your fuel and potty stops so you wind up in larger cities.
Repair Estimate Scams
Some consumers make the mistake of not getting a repair estimate in writing before the work is done. This scam occurs when the repair shop gives the consumer a very reasonable estimate when the car is dropped off, but when he comes to pick it up, the price is considerably higher than the verbal estimate. The mechanic will claim that some unforeseen problems came up and increased the bill.
How can this type of scam be avoided? For one, always get your repair estimate in writing. And make it clear to the shop owner that if any unexpected repairs are discovered during the main repair, you are to be notified about it and the cost to fix it before the work is done.
Following these tips will help reduce the chances of being scammed by auto repair shops who may work on your car.
