The Truth About Mechanics

They Are Not Out to Get You

Although taking your vehicle to a mechanic can be a trying moment, it does not have to be the drama that many make it out to be. I have heard many stories or opinions and have even read many articles here that a heap of misinformation. I have worked in garages most of my life and with many different mechanics and most are not out to rip you off as others want to you to believe. These are just a few of misconstrued offers of advice I have heard and the truth behind this advice.

1. A mechanic will not offer to put used parts on a vehicle you have to ask. This is true. However, by having a mechanic put used parts on your vehicle you are loosing any kind of warranty that the mechanic or the garage has to offer. There is never a guaranteed that used parts are in working order therefore the mechanic cannot guaranteed that they will work. Nor will the mechanic guaranteed the price of the labor to install the used part.

By having the mechanic install used parts on your vehicle you are taking a 50/50 chance that part may be bad or even break in a month. If you are lucky, some used parts do come with a 30-day guarantee, but the mechanics labor rates do not. Therefore, you may have saved yourself a few bucks in the beginning but in the end, you will be paying your mechanic twice to install it.

2. An oil change does not cost $15 or more. This is not true. Depending on the type of vehicle, an oil change takes from 15-30 minutes, sometimes more on certain vehicles. A quart of oil costs $2 and up depending on the type of oil you vehicle needs. The oil filter is generally less that $5, again this all depends on the vehicle, and I have seen $25 oil filters at that parts store. So once you take all this in mind, if the mechanic charges $40 an hour (which is on the extremely low side) and it take just 15 minutes to change your oil, which is $10. Most vehicles use 5 quarts of oil and even using the cheapest oil that is another $10. Then $5 for the oil filter.