4 Dirty Secrets Your Auto Mechanic Won't Disclose - By: Allan Michael Taylor

When car parts fail and need to be replaced, you put your trust in your mechanic (unless you perform the repair work yourself). Most auto technicians are trustworthy professionals who sincerely want to help you get your vehicle back on the road. But some are less than trustworthy. Occasionally, you'll stumble upon a mechanic who recommends work you know to be unnecessary. Or, he'll profess expertise in areas with which he may be barely familiar. If you can identify the warning signs, you'll have a much better chance of avoiding problems.

Below, I'll share four secrets your mechanic may "accidentally" fail to disclose. Keep the following in mind the next time you take your vehicle to the local repair garage.

1 - "Some Of My Work Is Unwarranted"

A lot of consumers unwittingly have unnecessary work performed on the vehicles. Sometimes, the work is done to pad the bill. The mechanic may suggest a number of services or even replacement parts that are unnecessary, or worse, potentially harmful to your car. Other times, an inexperienced technician will be completely flummoxed by a given automotive problem and start replacing multiple parts in order to resolve it. The consumer ends up paying for this work.

2 - "Sometimes, Used Car Parts Are A Better Deal"

Dealers can apply a higher markup to new components than they can to used parts. This is the main reason they typically install new replacements unless you specify otherwise. There's more profit in doing so. They may fail to mention that used auto parts are often just as reliable as new ones, but at a steep discount. Depending on the component, you can expect to save as much as 50 percent.

The key to buying used parts is to make sure they come with a generous warranty (i.e. at least a year) and are OEM-certified. While neither ensures a positive experience, most drivers discover it is a far better deal.

3 - "I Occasionally Need To Outsource Some Work"

Even though many repair garages position themselves as one-stop shops, they may be ill-equipped to handle some types of work. If you take your car in for several items (e.g. alternator, fuel injectors, water pump, etc.), there's a chance they'll outsource some of the work to other garages. The problem is, they'll mark up the price to profit on the other shop's work.

When you take your vehicle in, ask the mechanic whether every item on your list will be performed at his shop. If he needs to have another garage handle some of the work, postpone those items until another time. You can have another technician do them without paying the markup.

4 - "You Should Price Shop"

A repair item quoted for $350 by one mechanic may be quoted for $275 by another. Likewise, a major job quoted for $1,200 by one may be quoted for $900 by another. The difference in price is rarely an indication of the quality of the parts used or the work involved. Instead, it's due to competition.

As a general rule, you should price shop any repair work that costs over $300. You should definitely check with multiple garages for engine and transmission overhauls. It's not uncommon to see price differences of hundreds of dollars between two local shops.

There are many other secrets your local mechanic may be unwilling to openly discuss with you. We'll expose a few more of them in a future column. For now, realize that most auto technicians are interested in earning your long-term business. They'll perform the work you need at a fair, competitive price. Many of them will even install used car parts you've purchased elsewhere - as long as they come with a warranty and are OEM-certified. They know the way to earn your trust and business is to get you back on the road as quickly and reliably as possible.

About the Author

Mr Reaves is an expert on auto body parts and Cheap Tires. For more information visit http://www.everdrive.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Allan-Michael-Taylor/45501

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