Category: Automotive

How to Avoid Dishonest Auto Repair Shops

Some people buy cars for prestige but for most people a car is not a luxury, it is a necessity. You need it to run errands, take kids to school and commute to work. For this reason, your car can affect your productivity and it is not farfetched to say it could hamper your ability to meet your life goals. You therefore need a good auto repair professional to maintain it and keep it functional at all times. Here are some tips on how to avoid being swindled by dishonest mechanics.

SCARE TACTICS

There are two reasons why mechanics may choose to use scare tactics. The first is to get you to pay for nonexistent repairs. For example, he could tell you that the car is a death trap and needs immediate repair. Most people are too scared to question and often go for with what they are told. The other reason is to prevent you from going to another repair shop. For example, he may tell you that you are lucky to have gotten there safely. He will make you feel like driving another mile down the road is very dangerous. Just like in the first instance you may be too scared to scrutinize him further.

ASK QUESTIONS

It is always important to ask questions. Some unscrupulous repair men may use technicalities to get you to pay more than you should. Note that a qualified professional mechanic will always be willing to answer all your questions. You therefore need to arm yourself with a set of questions. Find out if this is their area of specialization. Some auto repair shops are only certified to repair certain makes and models. Find out how much you can expect to be charged for diagnosis. How do they charge? Per hour, or is it a flat rate fee?

SHOW THEM YOU KNOW

Dishonest auto repair shops tend to prey on people who they perceive as clueless. Showing them you have a clue can throw them off. There are ways you can do this. Describe the problem in very specific terms. If you are hearing noises when you brake, where are the noises and where is the sound coming from? The more specific you are the harder it is for them to lie and invent other mechanical issues. You can also research the problem online to find out what the problem could be before visiting your local repair shop.

Read Online Reviews About the Repair Shop

Along with traditional word of mouth recommendations, online reviews are an excellent way to gather information about your mechanic.  Start with a general Google search to read online reviews of the mechanic’s shop.  Searching the mechanic by shop name along with the city and state will yield some important information including internet posts by satisfied and unsatisfied customers.  Read all posts carefully.  A single unhappy customer does not necessarily mean the mechanic is dishonest, but a pattern of unhappy customers means you should steer clear of this particular shop.  Google+, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau’s online search tool are excellent ways to gather information about your potential mechanic.

Get a Detailed Auto Repair Estimate in Writing

A detailed written estimate is critical to have in hand prior to authorizing the performance of any service work.  Have the repair shop give you an estimate of exactly what they will be doing, what they are replacing, the tests they will be doing (if any), the parts they plan to replace and the amount of time they think it will take.  A written estimate amounts to a basic contract in most states and protects the consumer from unauthorized work and expenses.  With an agreed upon written estimate, the mechanic cannot perform any repairs that are not on the estimate without your approval.  Just as you would never sign a blank check and hand it over to your mechanic, NEVER sign a blank authorization form.

Check for Mechanic Certificationsase

Just as you would expect from any professional, the mechanics who work on your vehicles should have industry certifications.  Look for ASE certifications.  Possession of such certification means that your mechanic has passed rigorous testing to prove their expertise in auto repair.  A mechanic who has not passed these tests should not be allowed to work on your vehicle.

Here are some typical auto repair scams and how to avoid them.

Scams are sometimes hard to detect so be very alert to any signs or key words you see or hear as you’re talking with a repair shop.

Repair Scams on the Road

As you’re travelling cross country on the open road, you periodically need gas, air in your tires, or to get your oil checked. Some crooked service station owners will take this opportunity to scam you by dripping oil under your car, cutting fan belts or hoses, and even puncturing a tire. Then they’ll charge you a premium to do these repairs.

How can you avoid these “Highway Robbers”? The best way is to get gas, water, and air only at large, well-known service stations. Don’t pull into one of those small dingy gas stations with rusty cars strewn around the property. These are oftentimes far away from larger cities, way out in desolate areas. Plan your fuel and potty stops so you wind up in larger cities.

Repair Frauds when traveling

As you’re taking a trip cross nation on the open roadway, you occasionally need gas, air in your tires, or to get your oil examined. Some jagged gas station owners will certainly take this opportunity to scam you by trickling oil under your cars and truck, cutting fan belts or hoses, and also penetrating a tire. Then they’ll charge you a costs to do these repair services.

Exactly how can you avoid these “Freeway Burglars”? The very best means is to obtain gas, water, and air just at big, well-known service stations. Don’t pull into one of those small dingy filling station with corroded autos scattered around the residential or commercial property. These are oftentimes away from larger cities, escape in barren areas. Plan your fuel and also potty quits so you wind up in bigger cities.

Fix Estimate Scams

A few buyers commit the error of not getting a fix gauge recorded as a hard copy before the work is finished. This trick happens when the mechanics shop gives the purchaser a truly sensible gauge when the vehicle is dropped off, however when he comes to get it, the cost is significantly higher than the verbal gauge. The repairman will guarantee that some unexpected issues came up and expanded the bill.

In what capacity would this be able to kind of trick be stayed away from? For one, generally get your fix gauge recorded as a hard copy. Furthermore, make it understood to the retailer that if any surprising fixes are found during the primary fix, you are to be advised about it and the expense to fix it before the work is finished.

How to Get a Good Deal on a Used Car

Depreciation is Depressing

Why should you buy a used car? A new car will depreciate about 10% the moment it leaves the lot and another 20% within its first year. After three years, the average car is worth about 60% of what it was when new. That might be depressing news for the original owner, but it represents a screaming deal for the prudent used-car buyer.

A model that is one to three years older will likely still be under the manufacturer’s warranty, and unless it has been abused, it is likely to offer many more years of good service. Also, consider that the used car marketplace is huge—about 43 million used vehicles change hands each year, dwarfing the 17 million in new car sales.

Research First

So, how do you make sure you get a good deal? “Do everything you can before physically going to buy the car,” said Philip Reed, a senior consumer advice editor at automotive review site Edmunds. That means researching what make and model you are interested in and how much they sell for in your area. By researching specific vehicles that have the features and mileage you are looking for, you introduce competition to the car-buying process. A seller might not match the lowest price you find, but it cannot hurt to ask.

Edmunds is a good resource for auto shoppers. It, along with Kelley Blue Book and National Automotive Dealers Association, track new and used car purchases to provide granular pricing information. “We collect tens of thousands of transactions per week from wholesale auctions, dealers both large and small, vehicle registration data, listing data and other sources,” said Alec Gutierrez, a senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book, of his organization’s process. “This data is then cleansed, normalized and run through a statistical modeling process.”

Check It Out

Once you have determined what you want to buy, and what they sell for, it is time to check out the car, take it for a test drive and make sure everything the seller says about it is true. Get the vehicle history report (Carfax and AutoCheck are two popular choices) to confirm the odometer reading, ownership history and reports of accidents and flood damage

Buying a used car

There are steps you can take to help you avoid buying a car that’s been badly damaged, stolen or illegally altered. They’ll also simply help you get a car that doesn’t break down.

If you’re buying from a trader (a business that sells cars) you should:

look for an established firm with a good reputation

look for a trade association sign (for example, the Retail Motor Industry Federation or the Scottish Motor Trade Association) or a sign that says they follow The Motor Ombudsman’s code of practice – this means you can act through a trade association if something goes wrong

look for a trader whose cars have been inspected by an independent engineer or motoring organisation

Buying from an auction

Auctions are probably the riskiest way of buying a used car. You probably won’t have the legal protection that you have if you buy through a trader (for example, the right to returns and refunds).

Check a car’s history

Doing some simple checks will reduce your chances of buying a car that’s being sold illegally or has had major repairs. You can also find out if the current owner still owes money on the car.

Ask the seller for the car’s:

registration number (on the number plate)

MOT test number

mileage

make and model

Things to Look for in a Used Car Dealership

Yes, we certainly have a bit of a bias when it comes to used car dealerships, but our years in this business have taught us some things. First, among them is the fact that not all used car dealers are equal. We’d like to tell you that every used car dealership is just as good as the next, that you can find used cars for sale anywhere and rest easy knowing you found the best option.

In reality, however, that’s just not the case – some dealers have subpar inventories or use tactics to make a sale that is less than forthright. If you need to find the best used cars for sale, but you’re not sure how to pick the right dealership, then you should keep these things in mind. No post like this can be totally comprehensive, but if you check all of these boxes, then there’s a good chance you’re at a dealership that cares about you and puts your needs first

Look for a Diverse Inventory

Inventory might not be everything when you’re looking for used cars for sale, but it is definitely important. Think of it this way: with a brand new car, you can choose packages and options to customize a vehicle, so there are a lot of ways to make changes. With used cars for sale, you really can’t make those kinds of choices – your options come with the variety of models that are available. And that variety at any particular dealership comes down to the size of their inventory; larger inventory means more options for you.

Look for a Convenient Website

This might seem a little strange, but it really is important. When shopping for used cars for sale, pay attention to the website of any dealership you consider. A good website will let you sit at home, where you’re comfortable, and peruse their inventory so you can start shopping for your next car before you visit them.

Look for Special Offers and Programs

One of the main reasons to choose used cars for sale over brand new models is to save some money – sometimes a lot of money. Good used car dealerships often have specials and programs going on to help you save even more money, or to put more value into the vehicle you choose. For example, a lot of dealerships will have sales and incentives going on around the holidays, but you might be able to find additional special offers any time of year.

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can save you lots of cash compared to a brand new. Whether you’re after a cheap runaround or a dream machine you’ve lots of choice on the second-hand market.

But with murky histories and hard-nosed salesmen, it can be a minefield. This guide is filled with top tips and checklists (we’ve created printable versions so you can bring them with you) to minimise the chance of any nasty surprises.

Year old cars are MUCH cheaper than new cars

So picking a year-old model will dramatically slash the upfront cost. There are exceptions if you’re picking a plush model. Brands that hold their value best tend to include Mercedes and Porsche – so you won’t see too many year old luxury car bargains out there.

Revealed: The cheapest cars to run

To save you time and energy trying to work this out, car experts have already done this research. You can compare running costs of different models, including the ones you’re looking to buy, on several sites, including Parkers and What Car?

But, follow these rules to home in on the cheapest cars:

Smaller engines can be cheaper. The choice of a 1.0-litre or a 2.0-litre engine isn’t just about pure horsepower. A large engine will usually burn more fuel than a smaller one. So engine size is a vital consideration if fuel economy is an important factor in your decision.

Of course, this depends on how you use the car. A small engine is most efficient when it’s used as intended, such as to pootle around town. If a small engine is used a high speed, it’ll need to work much harder to keep the car moving – burning more fuel.

Buying A Used Car Checklist & Tips

In the market for a new vehicle? Then why not buy a second hand car. It makes sense considering your budget. It makes sense considering your needs. And it makes sense to buy a second hand car from a dealer.

Sure. You may find a slightly better price from a private seller. But you’re really rolling the dice. With private sellers, there’s no statutory warranty when buying a used vehicle. Drive away and five minutes later the wheels fall off? You’re out of luck. And out of options.

In NSW, there’s a dealer guarantee on all used vehicles (excluding motorcycles) less than 10 years old and driven less than 160,00km. You’re covered for 5,000km or three months after the purchase. Whichever comes first. With private sales, a clear title of the vehicle isn’t guaranteed either. So any faults found won’t be covered by Fair Trading. And you’re stuck with no legal backup.

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE BUYING A USED CAR?

You’ve been visiting the local dealerships and strolling the used car lots.  You spend time looking at all the different types of cars, from full size family cars to pickup trucks and crossover SUVs. Then finally, something catches your eye.

Engine Check

When taking the used car for a test drive, you’ll want to make sure that the engine runs smoothly (and quietly) when driving and when idling. Check the oil dipstick too. You’ll want to see nice, honey-coloured oil. Unless it’s a diesel, where black oil is normal. Ask to see the service book to confirm that the car has been serviced regularly.