Most Common Rip-offs

Here are a few common types of repair fraud:

Performing work that isn't needed
This is one of the most common types of repair fraud. Since most people don't know what the problem is when they take their vehicle to a repair shop they are willing to go along with whatever repairs the service manager suggests. A dishonest mechanic or service manager could easily sell the customer an unnecessary repair and the customer would never be the wiser. A good example is: a customer takes their vehicle in for an alignment. The mechanic or service manager tells the customer that both front struts are bad (when indeed they are still good) and should be replaced. The customer not knowing any better goes along with the suggested repairs which may cost an additional $400.

Changing parts that don't need replacing.
Another common form of repair fraud similar to the first example is where customers end up paying for unnecessary replacement parts. An example might be: a customer complains about engine starting problems and takes their vehicle in for service. The problem turns out to be a dying battery. We all know that batteries have a definite life-span of 3-5 yrs. An unscrupulous service manager or mechanic might also suggest replacing an otherwise good alternator saying it tested bad (at an additional cost of $250- $400). In most cases the customer not knowing any better will go along with the repair.

Overcharging for parts
This type of fraud that happens daily. Overcharging for parts is a common way dishonest shops cheat customers and make a lot of money. Nearly all repair shops buy replacement parts from auto parts stores and dealers as they need them. They typically add a little extra onto the price of each part to help bolster their bottom line. It is an acceptable practice in the repair industry. After all, it helps offset costs of stocking common parts. Some shops, however, go too far and charge customers double or triple what they paid for a particular part. Let's add to the example above: let's say the owner with the dead battery gives the shop the go-ahead to change the battery and the alternator. A dishonest shop replaces the alternator with a $100 rebuilt unit but charges the customer $300. It sounds like an extreme example, but, unfortunately, it happens everyday and customers never know it.

Overcharging for labor.
Here is another type of repair fraud that happens frequently. An example might be: a shop spends 1/2 hr fixing an oil leak but charges the customer 2 hours of labor.

Charging for work that wasn't done.
With some repairs it is difficult to prove the claimed repairs were actually made. A good example might be if a customer takes their vehicle in to the shop because a poorly running motor. The mechanic right away spots a loose wire which fixes the problem. The shop turns around and charges the customer $400 for a fuel pump repair they never made. Since fuel pumps on most vehicles are inside the fuel tank and cannot be seen there is no way to know if it was replaced or not.

Intentional damage or misrepresentation.
This happens less frequently but makes customers blood boil at the very thought of it. These are true scams. It usually occurs when a service individual intentionally damages a part in order to show a customer the part is bad and should be replaced. An example might be during an oil change a service personal secretly slices a belt or hose with their jack knife and shows the customer they have a problem waiting to happen. Of course the customer decides to replace the defective part never knowing it was intentionally destroyed.

A related version of this type of fraud is when a shop keeps a few obviously broken parts onhand and tells customers it it off their vehicle and should be replaced. A good example of this might be something like this: during a routine transmission fluid change a mechanic brings out a piece of broken metal laying in a container of transmission fluid. The proceed to say it was laying at the bottom of your transmission and it could fail any day.

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