Mechanics: Horror Stories

easyrider300m

Many years and cars ago, my car died at 2am just outside of Boston. I managed to push it into the parking lot of the nearest gas station. The next morning, I called the station and requested that they diagnose the problem. A few hours later they called to tell me the carberator was bad and should be replaced. He quoted about $250 which at that time was relatively high. Not knowing the mechanic, I intuitively didn't trust him and told him I would come by to take my car out of his lot. I arrived at 5pm and was told that there would be a $15 storage fee. I slipped the bills into his greedy little fingers and proceeded to try to start my car. After pumping the gas several times, I managed to get the car started and drove it back home.

Still having problems with starting the car, I called a backyard mechanic friend of mine and after about 10 minutes of testing, he told me that the gas filter was clogged. I picked up a new one for about $4 at the local parts store and my buddy installed it in about 2 minutes. Car ran perfectly after this minor repair.

That gas station mechanic thought he had a sucker who had no choice but to trust his diagnosis. Well, I called his bluff and saved some big bucks. Do you have a story of being taken advantage of by a shady mechanic? Did you outwit a dishonest mechanic? Do you trust most mechanics? Tell us your Mechanic Horror Stories.