While there was a time when many car owners did their own basic car maintenance and repairs in the evenings after work or on the weekends, that DIY know-how is a lost art these days. It’s not to say that no one works on their cars, but fewer do than was previously the case.
One reason for this is the increasing complexity of cars on the market. But let’s face it: another reason is that people generally don’t have or use the skills their parents and grandparents did.
There are some good automotive mechanics out there, but some shady ones are out there, too. If you want to avoid problems, don’t say any of the following 15 things to your mechanic.
I Bought the Parts for the Repair Myself
It might seem sensible to buy the parts for a brake job and ask a mechanic to do the work for you. But many auto shops will flat-out refuse to use whatever parts you supply. And, no, it’s not always about missing out on the opportunity to sell you the components at marked-up prices.
The rationale is simple: many auto shops use automotive parts they’ll stand behind. If they use parts supplied by customers, the parts may not be up to the quality level of the auto shop. So, it could be risky to install customer-supplied parts when safety is factored into the equation.
If you want to purchase the parts but can’t do the work yourself, get a qualified backyard mechanic to do the job. Most professional auto shops won’t be interested in using parts you supply and, if they do, won’t offer a warranty.
“Fix Whatever’s Wrong — No Need to Check Back With Me”
If you drop your vehicle off at the mechanic and, before leaving, instruct them to fix whatever’s wrong without checking with you, that’s a recipe for disaster. You might bring your car in for an oil change and find out it needs new tires, calipers, brake lines, or suspension parts.
Ensure your mechanic checks with you for the go-ahead if they find anything wrong.
“I Tried to Fix It Myself”
This is another no-no. You might try to fix your car. But if you mess things up, a mechanic might think the job’s not worth the trouble. It can be difficult enough to diagnose and fix complex problems, but the job can be monumentally harder if a DIYer worsens the issue.
Some mechanics will flat-out reject a job if you tell them you tried to fix it yourself and failed.
“I Know What the Issue Is — So, Just Do As I Say”
Mechanics know how to do their job and don’t need you to explain the ins and outs of maintenance and repairs. It’s one thing to explain the symptoms and share what you think is wrong, but it’s another to strut into the establishment and act like a know-it-all.
No mechanic will tolerate that attitude and may instruct you to take your car elsewhere.
“Replace My __. I Know That’s the Problem”
Sometimes people are convinced that a specific part of their car must be changed — and they won’t back down even if the mechanic insists there’s nothing wrong with that part. Most mechanics won’t change something that they know isn’t needed.
“I’m Only Concerned About the Cost”
Telling a mechanic that cost is the only thing you’re concerned about is a no-no. Your mechanic doesn’t want to jeopardize quality and safety. If you push them to cut corners so you get a better price, you’re also asking them to accept liability if any shortcuts cause problems down the road.
“Can You Lower the Cost?”
Avoid asking a mechanic to reduce the price. If you want a bargain-basement price, ask a backyard mechanic in the neighborhood. But a professional mechanic won’t take kindly to a customer trying to beat down the price.
“I Don’t Know a Thing About Cars”
It’s no secret that many people rely on mechanics to keep their cars in good shape. But that doesn’t mean you must tell them you know nothing about cars. If dealing with a less-than-reputable service provider, they might exploit your ignorance.
“Someone Else Can Fix My Car For Half the Price You’re Charging”
Telling a mechanic you can get someone else to do the job for much less than they’re charging is asking for trouble. If you call their bluff, the mechanic might suggest you take advantage of that “cheaper” price. You get what you pay for, after all.
“Take Your Time”
If the auto shop you frequent is always busy, the last thing you should do is tell a mechanic that you’re not in a rush. That could mean a longer-than-necessary wait on a busy day.
“Just Fix the __ — But Don’t Touch Anything Else”
If you know so much about cars, you should fix it yourself. Otherwise, overstep your rank to your detriment. If a mechanic sees that doing what you want won’t fix the problem, they may recommend you go elsewhere. Work with, rather than against, your mechanic.
“I Need This Done Today — No Exceptions”
While mechanics want to get cars fixed as soon as possible, that doesn’t mean you can just barge in and tell them how to run their auto shops. It sucks if you have an emergency and really can’t afford any delays. But your emergency doesn’t mean leapfrogging over other paying customers.
“I Can’t Afford That”
Let’s face it. Times are tough. But telling a mechanic you can’t afford a repair isn’t productive. You either want a professional mechanic to fix your vehicle or you don’t. It’s for you to decide.
“I Don’t Need to Fix That”
While you have the right to tell a mechanic not to fix something, they might be hesitant to work on your car if you’re going to drive off the lot without getting recommended work done. Mechanics won’t want to put their reputations on the line by doing half a job.
“What’s Taking So Long?”
If you’re in a rush and don’t like waiting, you might be tempted to question how an auto shop is run. But remember that your mechanic has other customers, and there may be reasons for delays, like the availability of parts or mechanics calling in sick.
Avoid Saying Any of These Things to Your Mechanic
These are some of the things you should never say to a mechanic. You have a lot of leeway as a car owner — and one right you have is to take your car to whichever mechanic you want. But your experience at an auto shop will be better if you know what to say and what not to say.
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