The vast majority of car mechanics are great to work with – but just like in any industry, there are a few cowboys out there. So how do you know if you’re getting a dose of deception when it comes to your car service? Here are five signs that your mechanic might just be taking you for a ride.

Sign #1: The mechanic uses unclear terminology

Even if you’re not a mechanically-minded person, you probably have a gut feeling for when something doesn’t seem quite right. If a car mechanic’s advice sounds suspiciously vague, or they’ve trying to overwhelm you with complicated terminology, that might be a sign you’re being treated like a mug. And if the mechanic starts to talk about your car’s flux capacitor (from Back to the Future) or your hyperdrive motivator (from Star Wars), you can definitely walk out the door with confidence.

Sign #2: They can’t (or won’t) show you the issue

It’s one thing to tell you that your car is about to cark it or spontaneously combust if you don’t immediately pay for a certain repair. But if your mechanic is unwilling to actually show you the issue then that’s all the more reason to be skeptical. An honest mechanic will usually be happy to point out the exact issue and walk you through the problem. What’s more, once the repair takes place you should be able to ask to see the worn-out or broken part. Otherwise you could be paying for magical mystery repairs that might not have even been completed.

Sign #3: They keep recommending extras

Now, this one isn’t always a given – sometimes car mechanics will pick up on something out of the ordinary that does need timely attention. But if you’re getting pushed for multiple extra services, or tasks like oil or filter changes that just don’t align with the service manual, that could be a potential red flag. High pressure sales tactics shouldn’t be part of keeping your car maintained. And remember: just like with a doctor, you can always get a second opinion before committing to any big costs or repairs.

Sign #4: They tell you about an extra cost… after they’ve performed the service

Have we all experienced this one before? You get the call your car is ready and return to pick it up, only to find there’s a surprise $300 charge for something you didn’t know about. If a mechanic can’t take the time to pick up the phone and discuss any unexpected costs with you beforehand, then chances are they aren’t carrying out the service correctly either. Think of it this way: would you accept a full family banquet on your bill after you ordered a dish for one?

If this type of surprise charge does ever happen, just bear in mind: ACCC says says consumers do not need to pay for products, services or advertisements that they didn’t ask for.

Sign #5: That second-hand car gets a fast inspection

If you’re booking in a pre-purchase mechanical inspection for a second-hand car, you’ll know that the mechanic should be taking their time to find any major issues that would make the car unsafe or expensive to own. That’s why a rapid pre-purchase inspection is a sure-fire sign that your mechanic is taking you for a ride.

As an example of how it should be done, Carma’s experts take at least 90 minutes to look over every one of its carefully-selected cars, using an extensive checklist that covers everything from a full vehicle mechanical check to assessing vehicle data and safety features. That’s because every detail matters when it comes to buying cars second-hand.

Tips to ensure you’re getting genuine car value

Here are some quick and simple tips to ensuring you end up workin with a mechanic who you can trust:

• Check customer reviews for any new business you’re about to use
• Ask friends and family for mechanic recommendations
• Trust your instincts
• Feel free to ask for further explanations
• Be quick to walk away from any high-pressure tactics, and
• Consider getting multiple estimates for major repairs.

And when it comes to buying used cars with peace of mind, it’s worth considering buying with Carma. Every car listed has been through an intensive 9-step process to ensure every part is in the best condition possible, before being listed with a 360-degree view and its documented service history. Each car comes with a 3-month warranty included.

Not only this, but you get seven days to return the car for any reason – so you could take it to multiple mechanics to double-check (or even quadruple-check) its condition if you want to. That’s how confident Carma is that it sells the highest quality second-hand cars.

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