Top Sneaky Car Repair Tricks # 1

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.

That said, here are five sneaky tricks to watch out for:

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.