‘I’m a mechanic, avoid this if you don’t want to | Tech News

An experienced mechanic has offered motorists a number of tips that can help to reduce the risk of them paying too much when getting their car repaired.

Whilst no driver likes to discover that their vehicle has developed a fault that will need an expert to put right, the rising cost of motoring has caused many drivers to look for ways to avoid overpaying.

Teaming up with Scrap Car Comparison, mechanic Tim Singer from BMS Cars noted that one way drivers can save money on car repairs is by keeping quiet about their budget.

He advised: “One of the main things you should avoid saying at any point is, ‘I’ve got this much to spend on it,’ or ‘I don’t really want to spend any more than that.’ I see it quite often.

“Customers have come to me after experiencing this with other garages, they’ve spent up to their limit, sometimes without even getting the issue fixed.”

Whilst he admitted that drivers should always have a budget in mind when getting their car repaired, it is never a good idea to be upfront about it.

Doing so could lead to some mechanics immediately accepting the maximum limit or trying to haggle further with the customer, causing them to pay even more than they had expected.

Instead of sharing how much they are willing to pay, customers should wait for the mechanic to give a quote and ask for a cost breakdown, which can help to avoid unexpected or unnecessary charges.

Tim also recommended that drivers avoid talking about the fault and what could be done to fix it if, in reality, they have little mechanical knowledge.

He added: “Try not to talk about something you don’t know anything about because somebody on the front counter or a mechanic will see straight through you.

“We know it all. This is why we’re in the game. We’re the professionals, and we will be able to tell whoever isn’t.”

Finally, Tim encouraged motorists to see whether they are able to conduct small tasks, such as changing the wiper blades or changing fluids, themselves.

He continued: “You see people booking their car in for a job that could be completed at home. Like, for example, replacing a windscreen wiper or topping up oil. Some garages will prey on that.

“We’re so busy I don’t mind telling people over the phone that they don’t need to come in for stuff like that, then I gain the customer in the long run because I’ve got their respect.”