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‘It’s the BIGGEST scam in Britain’ mechanic says urging drivers NOT to fall for garage mistake that could cost double
Plus, other MOT scams to look out for
A CAR mechanic has revealed drivers could get charged double because of falling for a garage mistake.
The car expert has issued a warning to motorists over "the biggest scam in Britain".
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Sherwood Cooke Jr, owner of Royalty Auto Service, has shared how some inexperienced workers could be making a crucial error while repairing your vehicle.
Oftentimes, the amateur mechanics could be installing the incorrect part on your car - costing you double to fix it.
Sherwood brought an example of a driver who complains about the engine light being on.
When the car owner then visits a repair shop, they get told they'd need an oxygen sensor - even if that's not the case.
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Sherwood said: "Oxygen sensor gets put in it and either they drive the vehicle out and a day later the check engine light comes back on or they don't even get the vehicle back and the shop calls them on and says ‘hey the check engine light is still on’."
Sherwood added that these situations could be genuine accidents and not a deliberate stunt of milking cash from clients.
But instead of admitting their fault, some repair shops still charge the customer for their mistake.
On top of that, motorists are forced to pay for an additional part that will actually fix their initial complaint.
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Sherwood added that the shops should be more transparent with drivers, and shouldn't charge customers for their error.
He continued: “I think it's a lack of training or they’re not charging for the diagnoses properly so the tech doesn't spend any time.
“When that part doesn't fix it, unfortunately, they still tell the client they need the part. I get it people make mistakes, we make mistakes all of the time.
"But if you make a mistake you shouldn't charge the client for that. And I think that is probably the biggest scam.”
Another mechanic has revealed the most common MOT scams that could be costing you thousands of pounds.
Five garage scams to look out for
1. Disconnecting sensors to make new problems appear
2. Faking leaks in coolant, oil, brake fluid etc
3. Hiding service costs in MOTs
4. Replacing parts in anticipation of "future problems"
5. Specialising in too many manufacturers' cars
There are some rogue mechanics out there who may be exaggerating the severity of your vehicle's "problems".
Former mechanic Steve Larsson told the : "It's always a good idea to get a second opinion if you're unsure about a repair, and to choose a reputable mechanic or garage with a good reputation and industry certifications."
Drivers have also been warned about garage scams targeting gullible motorists with soaring maintenance bills.
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Petr Janousek, who runs a specialist Toyota workshop in the US, urged car owners to be wary of "predator" mechanics looking to cheat them out of their hard-earned cash.
This comes after one more expert mechanic revealed the top three car repair scams that being aware of could save you thousands of pounds.
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