Veteran mechanic reveals the rip-off red flags no car owner can afford to ignore.

A mechanic on TikTok decided to use his 20 years of experience to highlight what’s plaguing his industry and give viewers tips on how to best utilize a trip to the mechanic. Fadi Atiq wants drivers to know that a good mechanic is first a good communicator, then a good listener, and only after those two, someone who can fix cars.

There have always been concerns about trips to the mechanic going haywire. But that’s mostly because nobody ever wants to go to one — it’s like going to the hospital; you’re only there because you have to be. Furthermore, more often than not, most drivers don’t even know how to pay at the mechanic, much less what things should cost at a repair shop.

In a video that has garnered thousands of views on TikTok, @kevinkyle123s explained his perspective to the audience without ever falling into the trap of sounding patronizing. After all, TikTok works best when it’s someone who simply wants to share their experience and lets viewers sit with the information.

Atiq broke his advice down into three aspects; there are three things you need to keep an eye on when you go to the mechanic: what they say to you, what you say to them, and, most importantly, what they fail to do. Atiq assured viewers that his 10 tips cover all three areas. He warned viewers to expect red flags and said, “If you spot two, walk out.”

He shared that as soon as you get to the mechanic, you should ask for written estimates, ask about the grade of the repair parts, and always say, “Save my old parts for me.” As for the mechanic, a good one will always use diagnostics and be transparent about labor time. And it’s a red flag when a mechanic doesn’t show proof of the car issue, acts like everything is urgent, doesn’t offer a warranty, changes prices without warning, or rushes you into making decisions.

One user commented, “Thank you. As a woman, I have been ripped off I don’t know how many times.” Another added, “I appreciate this information, but it’s sad you have to make it. Why does car buying and car repair always seem to be shady?” One user finally felt they got the information they’d been waiting for and wrote, “I was just ripped off…. I asked them to do a diagnostic… they would not do it…. they still haven’t fixed my car! I am going elsewhere.”

According to Motor1, getting spare parts with a warranty has gone from being desirable to being a necessity. Without a warranty, there is little way for a customer to have real confidence. There are various spare-part sellers that now offer three-year warranties under certain stipulations. One company that has grown into a market leader in this area is GreatWater 360 Auto Care. If a driver has the bandwidth to follow up on this as an added precaution, they can also favor brands that are rated highly among buyers.

Another tip that wasn’t included in the core 10 is to always shop around and compare prices. It might feel awkward walking away from an expensive option, but sometimes it’s vital.