Why do mechanics rip you off

She said that was all the mechanic needed to know, to take her for a ride. After he supposedly fixed it, it wouldn't start. But Guerrero battled to get her money back from the mechanic and won.

They primarily cheat women because they think we don't know. TIP: Be sure to ask them to explain it to you. If they won't, you should be suspicious. Overcharging: If you don't know how much parts are you're giving the garage a blank cheque to charge what they like. TIP: Make sure you research before so you have a rough idea of what you should be paying. Replacement parts: Some garages might play on the fact that drivers don't know much about their car's parts, and sell you a used part or not replace it at all.

TIP: Ask to see your old part to make sure they have actually replaced it. Also make sure the part says "new" on the invoice if you bought a new part. A professional mechanic will not make recommendations based on just trying to turn over a bit of extra cash, your loyalty and repeat business is more valuable. Often it will be cheaper for you to fix the problem during the service because the vehicle is already dismantled.

Also, if you wait until the issue gets to a point when your car is no longer in working condition you could potentially cause more damage. For example, if a rubber timing belt were to break it could lead to extensive engine damage, which can cost many thousands of dollars to rectify. A trip to the mechanic shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable. Find the right mechanic for you, know your car and what is required for that service and ask questions of your mechanic when you are unsure.

Most mechanics are decent and hard working people who want to do their job, do it right, and go home. As in any other industry, though, a few bad seeds that are bereft of scruples see your lack of automotive knowledge as a weakness that can be exploited for profit. If your mechanic tries any of these games, you might want to get a second opinion. There was a time when changing your spark plugs was essentially an annual event.

Check up on prices: hit up sites like RockAuto. If some of those other parts are old or showing obvious signs of wear, changing them out at the same time makes sense.