How do dealerships diagnose cars?
Every car diagnostic test starts with check engine light code reading, AKA OBD2 Codes reading, and this will only take several minutes. The mechanics will plug in a car diagnostic scanner to read the trouble codes which indicates where the problem is.
When do you have problems with your car dealer?
If your car has lots of problems, your dealer or mechanic might be screwing it up when trying to find other problems. If you have problems immediately after having your car serviced, it may have been the mechanic’s fault. Examples: transmission problems after transmission servicing or fluid change.
What should I do if I suspect my car dealer is defrauding me?
See your owner’s manual for addresses and phone numbers. If you suspect your dealer has defrauded the company with false warranty claims, report it and ask them to let you know what happens. Be polite and calm but assertive at all times. Do not take no for an answer but do not act angry or threaten them. This will make matters worse.
What’s the best way to deal with a car dealer?
Be assertive without being aggressive or hostile. Treat your dealership and service advisors well. They have discretion in providing extra service. If they like you, they may also give you a better mechanic.
What to do when automobile repairs go wrong?
Most of us don’t know the mechanical details of our cars. We never know if the replacement part is of good quality and not brought online from some shop in China. No wonder that most mechanical problems in an old car start within a few days of servicing or repair. I feel helpless every time I am handed a fat bill for a simple repair.
Can you get a free diagnostic at a car dealership?
If you take your car into a dealership for a problem, do not start out by authorizing a $100 diagnostic inspection. The issue could be something that is very easy to detect. Start with a free multi-point inspection. Let your service consultant know about any problems your car is having prior to the free multi-point inspection.
If your car has lots of problems, your dealer or mechanic might be screwing it up when trying to find other problems. If you have problems immediately after having your car serviced, it may have been the mechanic’s fault. Examples: transmission problems after transmission servicing or fluid change.
Can you take your car to the dealer instead of the dealer?
So, you may be able to save more than a few pennies by taking your ride somewhere other than the dealer for routine service and small repairs. Both shops said that doing so is unlikely to void your vehicle’s drive-train warranty, but you should always check with your manufacturer first to make sure.
Why do dealers ask for your license before a test drive?
Before a test drive, the salesperson might ask for your car keys and/or your driver’s license “as security.” Then, when you return and want to leave without buying, the car keys or the license will go missing. “We don’t see it that much anymore,” Sutton told us, referring to abusive dealer tactics.