Auto repair scams, frauds and scams are a common practice within the auto mechanic industry. That’s not to say there aren’t any reputable auto repair shops, but according to the “2007 Consumer Complaint Survey Report” by the Federation of American Consumers, the number one category in the top ten consumer complaints it’s the car.

Lest you take advantage of them, here are some tips to avoid unscrupulous auto repair shops.

Investigate and get written repairs – Understand your car problems. Know what needs to be done to improve the overall performance of your car before the auto repair shop starts work on your vehicle. Make sure all quotes worked on your car are in writing so you know exactly what is done to your car with full service and labor cost.

Don’t be pressured for more services: The California Auto Body Association estimates that 40% of repair bills have some degree of fraud. It’s the bodyshop’s job to tell their customers what else to do on their vehicles, but don’t feel pressured to have more services performed if there is no urgent need. Consider the long list of repairs when you only brought the car in for a single service, get a second opinion if necessary.

Take a ride with a mechanic – A good mechanic wouldn’t mind taking a test drive of your car to pinpoint a noise-related car problem or a problem that comes and goes. Keep in mind that auto mechanics don’t take the time to identify the problem because they are probably wasting your time and money.

Look for reputable repair shop clues: Finding honorable repair shops may not be as difficult as it sounds. Look for signs stating that the shop is approved by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) or “Triple A”. Other clues to consider are professionalism, the appearance of the store, and the staff.

Get a warranty from the mechanics: Ask for the shop’s warranty on your work in writing if possible. Find out what the warranty covers. By receiving a warranty, no matter where you are located, the work done on your car is covered by the warranty. However, if you have problems, try to solve it with the workshop first. Most honorable mechanics should try to get it right for you.