The BIGGEST mistakes... Mechanics make | ReDriven

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

Find us on:

[rohanmostert]

I'd be interested to hear Jim's explanation of the differences between independent mechanics vs dealership service centres. Pros and cons for each?

[redthreadzen]

My mechanics workshop is an absolute mess. He has no socials whatsoever. But he's flat out busy. Quick to get on the phone, and will prioritise the work according to your needs. He's absolutly honest and will keep to his quite. Occassionaly a six pack is good payment for a little help job. Everyone likes him becuase he's a good bloke. Not all good meachnaics have great social or house keeping skills.

[cthorno]

My horror story was with a 'specialist' in my car brand that couldn't fix a fairly simple fault, charged me lots to not fix it, told me the car was crap and then offered to buy it for a grand. Just a little dodgy. Shout out to all the wheel places that strip studs with air ratchets too and then let you drive away. I love your work.

[stephenmoore]

I paid my old mechanic over $5k to do a couple jobs, we had a long history and I had no reason not to trust her. I paid her, which wasn't even the full amount, and gave her way more time then I should've to get it done. She pretty much never even started, and when confronted "either do the work I paid you for or give me my money back' she threatened me. Tried to coerce me into backing off. We'll be in court in November

[conwaychowie]

Hi Adam. I love this story on how to deal with your mechanic. This brings me up to a request from you on a story (in the future, of course) that I hope you can cover on;
A recent trend I witnessed from a lot of people on taking their cars to their dealers for servicing, most often within their warranty period and getting over charged way above the advertised capped priced servicing quote. I've heard of dreadful stories of wanting their clients to replace tyres when there is still 4 mm tread left, sanitising the cabin with fragrances through their cabin filter, replacing parts unworn or unbroken, etc.

This would be a great story that I hope you can cover soon.

[MrWilliam.Stewart]

Nailed it, again!
Some customers are crap, and some mechanics are dodgy, not you guys though, you are great. Always a good day when re driven release a new video.

[PieterBreda]

This channel deserves at least 1.000.000 subscribers

[addzeta]

I took my car to a freelander specialist with a judder/misfire at 1500 rpm, The mechanic suggest a Gearbox tranmission fluid change for about $900, after collecting the car a day later the issue remained. I googled the issue and in less than 5 mins no joke, I found an article suggesting changing the crank shaft sensor and bobs your uncle, I fixed it for $40. Truely disapointing for a "Specialist" - who had good reviews, feel I like I must of got a guy with not much experience.

[Sixtoemo]

A close friend closed his independent garage down a year or so ago after about 10 years. It was just too difficult to turn a profit, as well as the stress of running your own business. He is an excellent mechanic with 30 years experience. A combination of people not regularly servicing their cars or thinking they have to go to the dealer to maintain their warranties leaves the less profitable and more difficult work to the independents. This myth about warranties is encouraged by the dealerships, who in my experience are just downright dishonest. A good independent is worth their weight in gold. My friend works for a dealership now, stress free and with a world of knowledge at his disposal for decent money - the irony. Cars are ridiculously complicated & its a wonder they run so well - I don’t think people generally appreciate how difficult they are to work on.

[TheStaniG]

My BMW mechanic has ZERO online presence, no socials, no website no nothing, just a phone and BOY are they the best BMW mechanic anywhere. They are SLAMMED from mere word of mouth.

[youwhatnow]

Thanks for taking the time to show the opposite point of view. Sadly many of us car guys and girls have had bad experiences with certain mechanics. It's like anything I guess, a couple of bad mechanics ruin it for mechanics doing the right thing. Like Jim said, transparency is everything. People appreciate being kept in the loop and having things explained. I have been to numerous mechanics with unexpected charges added.

[TheHayabusa]

Thanks for touching on my previous comment regarding replacement parts, i.e. always ask to see said worn items (brake pads, rotors) as this is most commonly faulted unnecessarily and feeds that dealership a few more dollars. Also, before trying a new mechanic, ring around as labour charges can be drastically different.

[VolvoVseriously]

Thanks guys, I agree transparency and communication is key. It frustrates me how dealerships have a non mechanical admin person call you and expect you to say yes on the spot to a bill many times what you were expecting with little explanation and few alternatives.

[TheRedlich]

A discussion on factory warranty work and independent workshops would be useful, especially as many people don’t trust dealers, and only go there for fear of voiding their factory warranty

[jordan]

Had bottom radiator hose come off after a service. Probably an apprentice. Didn't matter to me, I didn't go back.

On the other hand Zeds Performance in Pakenham, really looked after me and my patrol, will definitely be going back.

[malsmith]

Spot on Jim, its the little things...

[gldstone]

I recently bought an old Clio 172 with good service history. It has had 2 cam belt changes in its 140kms, 21 year life, 1st by the Renault main dealer, and again recently by a respected Renault specialist. Neither had replaced the aux belt, a 3 year service interval item and known for taking out the cam belt when they break. I'm amazed how often I come across this sort of thing. Don't assume a specialist will do what they should do. Always check that critical service items have been serviced.

[MudducksTouringAustralia]

I, have been using the same mechanical service for the last 7 years and they have been awesome. Yep they're human staff has happened but they always come up with the solutions and solve the problem. I have even been the cause of the "one broken bolt" away from a bad day. Cheers Steve

[calibrazxr]

What about when they scratch your car and then won't accept liability?
"It was already like that when you brought it in".
Really, you noticed it did you? Because I polished the car yesterday and it definitely wasn't there then.

[PeterPaoliello]

All the IT guys I know hate computers, I wouldn't hold someone not wanting to engage with social media against them.