Have you ever wondered why an auto repair shop would include a FREE “multi-point vehicle inspection” when your car’s in for auto repair service? There are two primary reasons. The first is marketing. Repair shops are attempting to build value and to entice you to service with them. The second is they’re looking for work - literally. They’re hoping to find a problem, which they can then fix for you - not for FREE.

What you are actually getting for FREE is very little. These multi-point checks are merely cursory glances (if at all) at fluids, belts, hoses, tires, brakes, and under-carriage. Depending on the vehicle it actually takes 1-3 hours to thoroughly check it over - something no repair shop will do for FREE. This is not to say the multi-point check is unnecessary. The reality is that it’s already done with most oil changes, repair services, and regular car maintenance schedules. Whenever your vehicle is being serviced, technicians are always looking for needed repairs to sell you. They’re paid by billing labor hours.

There’s nothing wrong with “searching for repairs” as long as if and when repair needs are found that they are indeed needed and not exaggerated. Ask your auto repair shop to prioritize your repairs in terms of safety and potential further damage. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion and ask questions. Always get “whatever they’re saying” in writing with a complete break down of parts, taxes, labor, and miscellaneous charges. And stick to your manufacturer’s recommendations for your car repairs and maintenance. Remember - with these types of FREE marketing efforts you will likely PAY.

Ted
RepairTrust.com
Making Sense of Car Repair

We received an email from a 30-year law enforcement officer who described so much of the dark underworld of car repair. A local repair shop attempted to charge him hundreds of dollars for an unnecessary repair. It started when his vehicle’s check engine light had come on. He then proceeded to go through many of the lies and deceit so common during auto repair service.

He received a quote for $389.00 to diagnose and replace an evaporator pump. This was “DEFINITELY the problem,” the shop stated. The auto repair shop would not give him a breakdown of the bill - a major RED FLAG. If you are not provided with an itemized invoice of the parts, taxes, labor, and miscellaneous charges – go somewhere else. The policeman said no thanks and walked away. Upon leaving they said they could provide a discount of $50.00. He declined. Then they said they’d drop the price to $299.00. Now he knew something was up! He took his vehicle to another shop. They found that the gas cap was loose – that’s it. No parts needed replacing, no diagnostics were needed, and certainly the $389.00 was not required.

That this happened is not surprising. We’ve been monitoring similar auto repair scams for decades. To be fair, it is possible that the mechanics made a mistake. They thought it needed a certain part and proceeded accordingly. Mistakes like this happen all the time. However, this is unlikely given their willingness to discount what they knew to be bogus charges. Moreover, that they would not provide the proper paperwork demonstrates that they were hiding something. The quote for the part was also significantly higher than MSRP – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price.

How can you be a SUPER COP like this and avoid getting ripped-off? You can start by reading the fantastic articles and information at the following link - Auto Repair Service. Also, consider a small donation and receive ARREST The Automotive Service Industry – the eye-popping eBook that uncovers all the dirty tricks of car repair…

G’Day,

Ted

As the cold weather approaches you’ll notice a host of car repair advertisements for special services needed for your car during the winter months. These Winter Specials will generally include an oil change, miscellaneous checks, and possibly a fuel injection service. Do you need these services – No!

First and foremost, today’s cars have no special “requirements” for winter driving. Stick to your manufacturer’s recommendations and regularly scheduled car maintenance services – not those made by a repair shop – and your car will be fine. Winter services will not have any real benefit to you. They’re designed to instill fear and get you in the door. (Note – we’re talking about maintenance. If your car needs repairs, especially safety-related repairs, have them addressed, bearing in mind the usual dishonesty and misleading information so prevalent in the auto industry)

There is one item on your car that will dramatically affect driving in the winter – Tires! Why tires? Traction! Good tires provide that extra traction needed that will keep you safe and confident during winter driving. Tires that are marginal will perform marginally. Tires that are 50% worn will perform at 50%.

In sum, ignore the auto repair hype. Find out what your manufacturer suggests and stick to your regular maintenance schedule. There is no substitute for good tires – learn more @ Tires

WINTER TIP – don’t turn your wipers on when your windshield is covered with ice and snow. It can burn out the wiper motor and/or break the wiper linkage. To this end, always shut your wipers off when parking your car for awhile, so when you start up your car they won’t automatically come on and have to struggle through the build up of ice and snow.

A local car repair shop’s Coupon Insert in a local paper stated “Fall Money Savers”. It was a professional looking design loaded with savings on auto repair services. However, out of the 8 coupons, 2 services would never be needed, 1was a service they made up, and the remaining 5 were designed just to get you in the door.

The 2 services advertised that you’ll likely never need (for today’s cars anyway) were Flushes and Timing Belts - you can learn more about today’s car maintenance @ Auto Maintenance. The “Save $25″ advertised on any coolant, power steering, and transmission flush might sound like a substantial savings, but your car doesn’t need them! And timing belts, which the Coupon stated are needed on “Most” cars and at every “60,000″ miles is information that’s about 10 years out of date.

The “Made Up” service was entitled “Fuel Savings Special.” It cost $49.95 plus tax. It included an Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Brake and Coolant Inspections, Starting and Charging Systems Test, Windshield Wiper and Headlight Inspections. Granted these services, especially windshield wipers and headlight inspections have been known to increase fuel efficiency exponentially - LOL :)! I read this Special three times in earnest, struggling to find a service that would actually help with fuel savings. I didn’t find one - zero, ziltch, nada - that would help with gas mileage. Had the Special mentioned a “Tire Pressure Check” and/or a “Fuel System Cleaning Service,” or at least a gas additive that may have helped reduce some carbon build-up, the title “Fuel Savings Special” may have been warranted. As it was, it was just a fluffed up oil change that included a tire rotation. The last 5 services included small savings as follows:

1. $20 off an alignment (a service you probably won’t need prior to the coupon’s expiration)
2. $5 off an oil change (with a FREE 15-point inspection). Given what they inspect for the Fuel Savings Special, one would doubt this actually adds any value
3. $10 free gas with $100 or more in service work - a nice enticement if your car actually needs work
4. $20 off brake work - not a lot given the mark up in aftermarket brake parts and the ease of work
5. $40 off a set of 4 tires - see sentiments from #4 - you can also negotiate a better deal than $40 off

The above services are known as “Gravy Work.” That is, they are easy, profitable, and very effective in increasing the bottom line of any repair shop. These specials are designed to get you in the door so a shop’s technician can scour your vehicle for more work, which you may or may not need.

Tip - Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations only when servicing your vehicle.

Ted

RepairTrust - Making Sense Of Auto Repair

RepairTrust has outgrown its old blog, but will maintain it for archive purposes @ http://wwwrepairtrust.blogspot.com/. We look forward to building out this blog, as it will give us the flexibility we need to provide you with the facts about Auto Repair Costs

We encourage your feedback and comments and look forward to your participation.

Ted