For most consumers, the purchase of an automobile is one of the largest budget items, ranking only behind a home mortgage or other real property.

The investment is significant over an extended period of time — monthly principal payments, interest paid to the lending institution, premiums for automobile insurance, and extended warranty coverage.

One aspect of vehicle ownership that many consumers fail to consider is repairs.

With over 136 million passenger cars in 2005 in the United States alone, it stands to reason that most vehicle owners have dealt with the headaches of a breakdown or replacing a critical part.

Depending on your circumstances and vehicle warranty, you may be required to have work performed at a factory-authorized dealer (a new bi-partisan bill was recently introduced into the United States Senate, “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057),” which supporters say will give car owners more freedom to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced).

For many consumers looking to tighten their budget by extending the life of their used vehicle, repairs may be performed at any one of the thousands of independent repair shops — both national and local — around the United States.

But how do you know you’re getting the best value for the service work performed? How do you know you’re not getting ripped off?

Shop around

According to Men’s Health, “more than 70 percent of all car owners suspect they’ve been had, and more than 40 percent know they’ve been overcharged or underserved by a grease monkey.”

“You really have to be your own advocate, you have to be your own car mechanic in a way to know that you are getting fair repairs at an affordable price,” said Sandy Bass-Cors, Executive Director for The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), on a recent podcast of ”The Shop Cop” with Jennifer Litwin.

One of the best ways to find a trustworthy auto mechanic is to ask your family, friends or neighbors. It’s likely they’ve need repair work at one time or another, and a personal referral can help you navigate your way to safety.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) recommend you do your shopping early before a small repair turns into a significant event that puts your vehicle out of commission and at the mercy of a mechanic.

“Look for an auto repair shop before you need one to avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision,” the groups advise consumers.

In addition, verify qualifications & certifications of technicians working on your vehicle, and membership in reputable automobile organizations by the place of business.

Money expert Clark Howard warns against selecting a shop based on brand name.

“Beware of specialty repair shops, particularly brake and muffler shops,” Howard says on his website. “A good reputation goes a long way.”

Ask questions

Many consumers are intimidated by the thousands of parts and components on today’s vehicles. Computerized systems further complicate the troubleshooting process. As the owner of the vehicle — and, ultimately, the person financially responsible for payment of the bill — you have a right to ask questions.

“Most state laws require repair shops to give customers a verbal or written quote for the work to be completed,” said Big 3 News Editor Rusty Ray. “Ask the business to clearly explain any estimated charges you don’t understand before consenting to the work. If something doesn’t look right or you suspect being overcharged, do more comparative shopping.”

Consider also the type of part being repaired or replaced, as this will determine how much you pay. Most parts fall into the following categories:

• New or OEM – parts made to original manufacturer’s specifications
• Re-manufactured or after-market – parts in sound working order and typically include a manfacturer warranty
• Salvage – parts taken from another vehicle with limited or no guarantee of reliability

Make sure the cost for each part is itemized, along with any “shop charges” or miscellaneous expenses. Customers also have the right to ask for the faulty part to be returned to them. If your mechanic can’t produce the bad part, it’s a good sign you’ve been ripped off.

A number of tools are available on the website AutoMD to assist consumers in maintaining control of the repair experience (see video below). You can calculate an estimate by entering in your vehicle information and needed repairs. This can be a good barometer to determine if your mechanic is quoting you fairly.

Report a problem

Despite the best efforts of any consumer, disputes do arise. If you can’t resolve an issue with the mechanic or shop management directly, consider contacting a third party to mediate a resolution. This may require filing a complaint with a consumer protection or advocacy group, the Better Business Bureau, or even your state’s Attorney General office.

A review of public records with the Ohio Attorney General’s office revealed numerous customer complaints against businesses in the Buckeye State.

“For just one ‘national’ shop we searched, a total of 49 consumer complaints had been filed with Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office,” said Ray. “Complaints range from shoddy workmanship to charging for unnecessary repairs.”

One auto complaint  filed with the Better Business Bureau and obtained by Big 3 News described how a national chain tried to overcharge for what seemed to be a straight-forward part.

“I was told the catalytic converter was bad and it would take about an hour to replace,” the complaint stated. “I was then given two work estimates — one for $800 for an OEM part, and one for $450 for an after-market part.”

When the shop manager was questioned about the quote, the customer was told the catalytic converter was $315 and labor was $80 per hour.

“I did some price checking on my own and found out a catalytic converter can be purchased for anywhere between $100 and $225,” the customer reported to BBB. “When I presented this to the store manager, I was told, ‘we’re not a parts store. If you want to buy the part and put it on yourself, feel free to do it.’”

The customer had the repair completed at a local shop and saved about $300.

“Thank God for some honest people left in the world,” said the customer.

Do it yourself

Depending on the nature of the repair, it may make more sense for you to do the work yourself.

Many online resources, such as Family Car, are available to provide consumers with step-by-step instructions for repairing and replacing parts. Syndicated radio programs such as “Car Talk” offer advice and a forum for people to share common vehicle experiences. Most auto parts stores now offer help with selecting the right part for your vehicle, and even providing on-site assistance.

To be fair, there are many ethical mechanics trying to make an honest living while providing a necessary service. These businesses generally have a well-established clientèle and the quality of their work speaks for itself.

You don’t have to be ripped off. With a little planning, education and smart shopping, you can take steps to save yourself hundreds and even thousands of dollars in repair bills.

LEARN MORE:

WHAT SAY YOU?

You can leave the author a moderated comment or video response about this article by posting it below, call 1-440-249-NEWS (6397) or email: [email protected]