Car Servicing is like a regular body check-up for cars. Just like humans get an annual body check-up of their bodies to ensure they are disease-free and start the medication. In the same manner, a proper car servicing helps in identifying the occurrence of any wear and tear before they take any bigger form.
But then, there is deceit everywhere around the world. So, you cannot trust anyone completely. That includes car servicing centres as well. We are not saying that every car mechanicwill cheat you. But it is better to be cautious.
The following is the list of ways in which car mechanics may cheat you:
1.Extra Labour Charges
Car servicing includes inspection of several small parts. Sometimes, the mechanics, to save time, would skip on these inspections. Especially when the customer has not raised any complaint about any dysfunction of a part, the mechanic would ignore the inspection of that part. For example, people who get regular car service would be aware of the brake service labour service charge they are charged. These charges are alright if they have worked on the brake pads for real. But sometimes they charge unnecessarily and takes advantage of the customer.?
2. Flushing and Replacing the Fluids
Service stations provide the service of flushing the engine and radiator and replacing the engine oil, brake fluid and other additives. They charge the customers every time they replace the additives and fluids. Many times, the service advisor would ask the customer to get these services and use a particular brand of engine oil to improve mileage.
All these, though very useful are not needed in every service. Many mechanics would lure you into buying fuel additives that are not needed or are more expensive than the usual ones saying things like the additive has been authorised by the car manufacturer only because the profit margin for the mechanics on those additives is huge.
3. Billed for A Part but Not Replaced
This is the most common thing to be wary of while car servicing. The car mechanics may bill you for a new part and yet not replace it.
For example, a mechanic may bill you for a new AC filter but in reality, the old filter has just been cleaned and refitted. This is the source of the grey market for genuine parts. The mechanic gets double profit by selling the part in the grey market. So, to cross-check that the part you have been billed for has been replaced, make sure you collect the old parts while you take your car back.
4. Car Dry Cleaning
The car?s interiors are bound to get dirty with time. There is no debating to that. But some service stations will try to get the customers to opt for these services even when it is not needed. Dry cleaning is something a well-maintained car would not require frequently. They would just use foam and blow-dry the car and call it the dry-cleaning service and charge you for it.
5. Engine Decarbonising
A proper process of decarbonizing involves opening the engine cylinder head and physically cleaning the valves and ports. With modern car engine design and better fuel quality, engine decarbonising is not needed at all for a minimum of 50,000km.
Also, by regularly running a chemical solvent mixed with fuel through the engine for about 15 minutes to remove carbon build-up can ensure that you never need the service of engine decarbonising.
But the car servicing personnel convince you into believing that this service is required after every 15,000 km. Even after charging you for the services, they just perform the decarbonising by the injector cleaning method instead of a thorough manual cleaning.
Take all the above-mentioned points in your mind, when you are seeking the services for car repairs.The best way to avoid being fooled by car service advisors is to be present during car servicing.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
