Why do repair shops always tell me something else is wrong when I bring my car in?

Hey Zahntech --

So every time I take my car in for service, I tell the guys what I want. "Replace my brake pads and nothing else." "Do the 30,000 mile service and nothing else." "Don't call me to authorize more repairs - I want this and nothing else."

See, my car is a Lexus LS430. It's a nice car, right? And I just don't think there's anything wrong with it, and I do think that, frankly, you auto repair people are out to get every cent you can from me and will say whatever it takes to get me to authorize unnecessary repairs.

So, why do you still call and tell me I need to replace other parts? I mean, I know there's that squeak from the belts or something, but it's a Lexus. There's nothing wrong with my car!

Signed,
This isn't the repair order you're looking for (Jedi master voice)

Hey Jedi Master --

Sorry dude, your Jedi mind tricks won't work on me. There are only two reasons your service advisor is going to call you back to authorize more repairs, and you've only hit on the first.

1) They really are out to get you and will say whatever to get you to hand over the credit card.
2) You really do have something wrong with the car.

I know the industry has a lot of slimy people in it - frankly, that's the reason I went into business for myself.

Ultimately, it will come down to trust. Do you trust your mechanic?

But there are a few ways you can gather data that will help you determine if your mechanic is worthy of your trust.

-- Get referrals. Do you know anyone who has used that mechanic or shop before? Get the dirt from a current (or former!) customer.

-- Ask lots of questions. "Does this problem happen often?" is a great question to ask - especially since it's so easy to go online and search in auto forums (just use your favorite search engine) to find out if what your mechanic says is true.

-- Request to see the parts or the issue in action. And get context - if your mechanic tells you your brake pads are at 5 millimeters, that's kind of meaningless unless you know what they were when they were brand-new and how close they are to being completely worn down.

Finally, recognize that even on nice, newer cars, maintenance and repairs are necessary. In fact, the more complicated your car, the more things that can go wrong! I don't doubt that many consumers have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous repair shops and dealerships.

That said, a car is a mechanical contraption with many moving and computerized parts. Stuff breaks - and stuff needs to be replaced. And unfortunately for you, Lexus owner, the more expensive the car, the more expensive the parts. That's a choice consumers make when they purchase luxury brands (and I feel it too - I own an Acura and a Lexus).

So you've got to trust your mechanic - and only you can decide who is worthy of your trust.