By Kelli B. Grant,
Associate Editor, SmartMoney.com



WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE: We take our car in for a repair and a little voice inside our head wonders "Am I getting ripped off?" The best way to prevent rip-offs is to find a trustworthy mechanic who is both certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and recommended by AAA.

Even if you aren't that thorough, most mechanics are on the up-and-up.

[/align]That said, here are five sneaky tricks to watch out for:
[/align][/align]1. Spit-Shine Fixes

Here's the scam: The mechanic will tell you something in your car needs to be replaced, like the starter motor. But rather than replace that perfectly fine-functioning device, the mechanic simply removes it, gives it a good cleaning so it looks like new, and puts it back in your car. Parts singled out for the spit-shine trick are those that are easily removed, says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book. Batteries, for example, are prime targets, as are oil filters and radiators. Some shops won't bother to do anything at all -- instead telling you they replaced the part with one that was refurbished (and so, unlikely to appear shiny and new).

Your fix: Have your mechanic point out the part in question to be replaced. "Mark it in some way," suggests Nerad, while the mechanic isn't looking. If that seems pretty much impossible, take the car home before agreeing to the work. Try a dot of Wite-Out correction fluid or a swipe of chalk. Then, post-repair, ask to see the old part and the shop's purchase order for its replacement. You'll know your old part by its identifying mark, and the new one from the dated receipt.
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[size=5]2. Accelerated Maintenance

When it comes to regularly scheduled maintenance, your vehicle manufacturer and your mechanic agree on just one thing -- your car will need some work at some point. But their opinions on just what should be done and when are vastly different, says Karl Brauer, editor in chief of Edmunds.com. "The dealership's list will be two, three, four times as long," he says. "There's a lot of profit to be made in doing things that don't need to be done."

Take a 2005 Honda Accord, for example. After one year or 10,000 miles, Honda recommends rotating the tires and replacing the engine oil. In comparison, Majestic Honda dealership in Lincoln, R.I, recommends 17 points of inspection and repair after just 7,500 miles, from testing window wipers to lubricating door hinges.

Your fix: "The manufacturer knows best," says Brauer, so follow its suggested maintenance schedule. Instead of asking for a shop's 10,000-mile service package, pull out your owner's manual and point out exactly what you'd like done. Forget about the alternate schedule for heavy-use vehicles, he adds. Though your mechanic may try to convince you otherwise, most drivers just don't fall into that category, which is for drivers who drive off-road most of the time, or in temperatures below 10 degrees or in excess of 90 degrees. (Check your owner's manual for details.)

3. Guessing Games

Stalling car? It could be your fuel injectors. No, maybe it's your fuel pump. Beware so-called parts-replacers -- mechanics who can't figure out the problem but are happy to keep retooling your car, says Anthony Giorgianni, an associate editor with Consumer Reports. "He's guessing -- and he's charging you for his guesswork." Most parts-replacers just don't have the knowledge to properly diagnose car troubles, s

 

also shops buying cheap parts and selling them off as premium parts...that happens a LOT!!

and also when you have a defective piece like moog or something ...anything thats got a warranty and still covered never be willing to pay labor twice! the garage gets labor taken care of for them...so why should you pay them and also the parts supplier pay them...

this happens a lot less lately as shops are warrantying labor for smaller periods of time now, you dont get labor warranty for as long as the warranty of the part, generally you get a 1 month labor warranty and a 1year and up part warranty, but if you have a part put on with a warranty...never pay for it twice...because the shop alwaays gets covered on it

 

also watch things like the shiny motor when you by a used car.
detail shops will detail under the hood of a car when it is sent to them from a dealer, Most dealers ask for this, and they steam clean the motor .
and then throw detail juice on top of it to make it look new.
If you are buying a used car or truck see if you can see it before it is detailed for you , OR take it for a longer then normal test drive let it get good and warm and then check it out. Aslo do not park it in the same spot just tell them you dont feel comfortabel parking in the same place as the other cars.
Most will say ok just pull over in front of the office.
I will normally not ask and just do it. then i will sit and watch the car for a bit to make sure i dont see anything leaking out of under the car, or the valve covers or any other places .
I have also been known to reach around the back of the motor before i start it to see if i can find Grease or oil leaks.
you wil get some road grime on any car but it should not be a exseive amount.