“Without getting into details, you should…”
If a mechanic won’t give you the information about what’s going on with your vehicle because they don’t think you’ll understand, it’s a sign that they might be trying to pull a fast one on you. There’s no doubt that some repairs are very detailed and it can be difficult to describe exactly what’s needed. The difference between a good mechanic and a bad one, however, is that the good ones will always do their best to keep you in the loop about what’s necessary.
“You’re not going to want to drive that very far. We’d hate for you to break down.”
This tactic, of course, is one that takes advantage of your fear of breaking down. It causes you to think about how you’d rather just pay some money than having to deal with sitting on the side of the road, calling a tow truck, and figuring out what to do next. Although it’s sometimes true that your car is in dire need of a repair, you should be sure to ask questions about the nature of the repairs that the mechanic deems necessary. If possible, get a second opinion.
“We better just replace it all at once to save you some time.”
This is another tactic that some dishonest mechanics turn to. In this instance, the mechanic makes it seem like they are doing you a favor by saving you time later on. In reality, what’s happening is that you may be replacing something that has months or years of life left.
“Sorry, that didn’t fix the problem.”
If a mechanic tells you about your need for an expensive repair and you give the okay, but the problem remains, you will inevitably be frustrated. It’s important to keep in mind that the age of your car, whether you stuck to a routine maintenance schedule, and the quality of work done previously can all play a role in the ongoing health of your vehicle, but if a mechanic tells you they thought the work they did would fix your car and it didn’t (and that they have another idea), you should consider seeking a second opinion.
