by Anthony Megna
Car repair scams can be avoided if some precautions are taken before the car goes into the shop. For instance, checking with the local BBB, or Better Business Bureau can guide the repair-seeker to those mechanics who will give legitimate service. Also, get a referral from friends and relatives as to who they use for their car repair, and that can be a big help. But what are some common car repair scams?
Probably one of the most common car repair scams today is the "check engine light" ripoff. The check engine light on the dashboard of most modern autos is nothing but an "idiot light", or an indicator that something is about to go wrong with the vehicle, or has. It doesn't mean that one can't drive their vehicle, it is just an indication. The most common reason for this light to be set off is a mal-functioning oxygen sensor. It just means that an incorrect amount of oxygen is allowed into the fuel injectors, essentially the wrong mixture of gas and oxygen is being ignited. It's nothing serious, and the fix should be less than $100! But the amount of people who have paid a lot more than this is astounding, some as high as in the thousands! Unscrupulous mechanics have even gone so far as to say the entire fuel injection system has broken, along with other expensive parts. But they don't stop there, as they don't even replace those parts! They just SAY that it's broken, write up a huge repair bill, and pocket the difference. If there is any suspicion about the repair bill, get another opinion, or one can always take the vehicle to a reputable car dealership. The hourly rate will probably be more expensive than a neighborhood mechanic, but at least there is an insignificant chance of being robbed.
Another car repair scam involves the shaky front end. Most of the time when the front end of the car is shaky, or wobbles, then either the shocks and struts need to be replaced, or the tires could be out of balance. But time and time again huge repair bills are generated by thieving mechanics stating everything from broken axles to bad tires. The price for balancing the front tires is usually less than $20, unless those are specialty wheels that are on the car. If the shocks are to blame, then many big name auto chain stores have sales, such as Sears, or Pep Boys. Stay away from the unknown small-time mechanics when it comes to these repairs, one is better off with the specialty stores that specialize in these type of repairs.
In order to get the basics of how an automobile works, there are many books and guides on the subject. The local library is a great place to start if one doesn't have access to the internet, and it's free! So do a little homework on the most common car repairs before shopping around, or before the car acts up. A little prep-work goes a long way for the wallet as well as for peace of mind.
From Car Repair Salinas
No comments:
Post a Comment