Finding a good, honest mechanic or service center is just about as difficult as spotting Nessie. Either you trust the local auto repair shop with good online reviews or the place your second cousin’s friend’s stepdad recommended. Either you buy your OEM car parts at a store or order cheap knockoff products online. Or you can just go to your car dealership’s service center and be done with it.
Yes, there’s lots of things to worry about when choosing a mechanic. Fortunately, there are a lot of warning signs that a mechanic just might be pulling the wool over your eyes. Here are some red flags to be on the lookout for.
7 Classic Signs of a Dishonest Mechanic
1. They won’t show you the old part or component
You have the right to ask for proof that your vehicle repairs were performed properly. The best evidence is oftentimes the old, damaged part. Ask to see it. If they refuse or give you an excuse -- “for safety reasons, we had to dispose of it right away” -- tread carefully because they may just be giving you the onceover.At the very least, request the packaging of the new component. If needed, you can get a third-party vehicle inspection to ensure that component was, in fact, installed.
2. They’re not certified technicians
While mechanics don’t necessarily need to be ASE certified to work on vehicles, they absolutely should. In addition to being certified, they should have some accreditation or degree in the field.Only choose a service center that can provide proof of insurance, as well. If you pick a cheap mechanic near you without any insurance or license, you run a big risk of getting stuck with a vehicle that’s worse than it was to begin with.
3. Their turnaround is higher than an “As Seen on TV” call center
Your local auto repair center shouldn’t be a revolving door. The best auto technicians stay at good auto repair shops for a while; this is especially true if service managers have been around for a long time. A good leader keeps their staff happy, and a happy staff usually means happy customers.4. They only have 5-star reviews
No business will please every single customer. There will be complaints – it's inevitable. If the mechanic near you has 50 reviews, and they’re all 5 stars, that should raise an eyebrow. Either they’re far and away the best mechanic in town, or something fishy might be going on.Read reviews thoroughly. Check the reviewers’ past history and information. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, perhaps keep looking.
5. They don’t have any answers when you call to check on your vehicle
If your vehicle’s been in the shop for several days, you might call to ask what’s going on. The shop manager should absolutely have answers for you – what's wrong with your car, what is being done right now, when it *should* be ready.Similarly, an honest car mechanic will always call you to let you know if there are any extra costs associated with labor, parts, or services before getting to work. Dishonest mechanics will do the opposite – they'll do the work and then tell you that you owe them extra.
6. They try to scare you into paying for a service or repair
Fear tactics work – that's just a fact of life. If you’re scared of some result occurring, you’ll do whatever you can to prevent that result. For instance, if an auto mechanic says, “You can’t drive your vehicle in this condition. There’s a good chance your car could go up in flames if you even turn the ignition,” you might want to question their motives. Is it possible that your car could catch fire? Sure, anything’s possible. Is it likely? No, probably not.If you’re being pressured into having a car repair done, have the vehicle towed to another vehicle service center for a second opinion. The other repair center may even cover that cost to tow your vehicle if you choose to do business with them.
7. They can’t or don’t take the time to explain what’s going on with your car
Look, you’re no car expert – that's why you've searched for an “honest mechanic near me.” Nor are you a fool. Any good car technician or mechanic will be able to explain the entire repair process to laymen. This includes what’s wrong with your vehicle, why that problem has reared its ugly head, and what’s needed to correct the issue. If they’re unable to, or if they simply refuse to give you an explanation, that’s a clear sign that they don’t want your business and/or they don’t really know what they’re doing. Steer clear.Get a quote from a good repair center near you
If you’d like to hire an honest mechanic in South Florida, it’s time to go to Braman Genesis. We service all Genesis models and many other luxury car brands, including BMW, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti and more. Contact our Miami service center at (786) 574-3093 to request a quote or tow.
