Customers Beware! A List Of The Most Common Mechanic Scams

Dirty Air Filter

This is one of the oldest tricks in the con artist’s handbook. Shifty places will keep a dirty air filter from another vehicle on hand and ready to pass off as yours. Undoubtedly, the one they show you is filthy enough to warrant a finger-wagging, and it’s only twenty bucks to change it. Yeah, that’s an easy twenty for those folks when you agree and drive home with your same moderately used air filter. To avoid this scam, check your air filter before you go. The filter will be easy to access on most vehicles and takes only a moment to see if it’s time to replace it yet or not.

While we’re on the topic of replacing parts, read on to learn how you might not be getting what you pay for.

Dirty Fuel Injectors

This is another one that targets people who just want to do proper maintenance on their vehicle. Like the engine flush, a deep clean of the fuel injectors shouldn’t be necessary unless it’s in the scheduled maintenance of your car. The truth is, there are plenty of additives in most fuels that are designed to help keep your engine clean. If you are concerned about carbon build up on your injectors, run a bottle of fuel injector cleaner through the system - it’s just as useful in most situations.