Even your regularly trusted Pinellas car mechanic is going to make a mistake from time to time. Unfortunately, an error in the auto garage can lead to some very costly consequences. The costs are not always financial in nature. People have been seriously injured or killed because of vehicle malfunctions. It is important to recognize some of the common mistakes made by mechanics, so you can help prevent them in the future.
Improper Oil or Filters
Everyone knows that it is important to do regular maintenance on a vehicle. Many people do not have the time or the know-how to take on this work themselves. Therefore, they rely on mechanics to do the job right. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen as planned. When a shady car mechanic doesn’t do the job right, or a great mechanic accidentally grabs the wrong filter, things can go wrong very quickly. The wrong oil filter, for instance, can cause too little oil to flow through, which can lead to the engine overheating. It could even cause engine failure. Prepare to spend a few thousand dollars to have that trouble corrected. Be sure that you keep receipts and never throw away a bad filter. Keep it as evidence, so the garage is forced to pay the hefty bill for repairs.
Failing to Replace a Part
Always ask the mechanic to keep the old part and place it in the box the new part came in. This is a great way to ensure the job was actually done. Some unethical auto garages might skip the work and still collect payment. Then it could cost you twice as much for the same job. Even when this is done accidentally – when several tasks are being performed on the same car and one is overlooked – the outcome could be tragic.
Misdiagnosis
Hearing a strange sound, feeling an odd vibration in your vehicle? A mechanic might tell you that it is caused by a very costly engine component failure. However, imagine if after correcting it, the mechanic charges you, but the problem persists. Now you have to pay again and you might face serious mechanical failure on the road. For expensive repairs, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. There are plenty of auto garages in Saint Petersburg and most are willing to provide this service.
Failing to Finish the Job
This is most often seen on things like tires and oil changes. Mechanics get into a rhythm and fail to pay close attention to what they are doing. At this point, it is possible that he or she will forget to tighten the newly installed tire or to add the last quart of oil. These simple mistakes can lead to disastrous results. Just imagine what would happen if your tire suddenly fell off in the middle of your highway commute, or if your engine started smoking while traveling 65 miles per hour in the center lane.
If a mechanic fails to do a job right, it can leave your life and your financial status at great risk. You do have the right to contact a personal injury attorney. He or she can help you collect the damages to pay for medical expenses, additional repair costs, or lost wages after such an accident. You shouldn’t pay for another person’s mistake.