News & Updates

SCAMMER

Convicted Sex Offender Operates Oklahoma City Mobile Mechanic Business — Craig H. Bondy of C&J Mobile Mechanic

Craig Henry Bondy Jr. — owner of C&J Mobile Mechanic & Auto Repair in Oklahoma City — was convicted by an Oklahoma County jury of two counts of Indecent or Lewd Acts with a Child Under 16 and sentenced to 15 years on each count. Three separate appeals failed. His business sends mechanics to customers' driveways, garages, and homes. In August 2026 the State of Oklahoma won a default judgment against Bondy, his ex-wife and the business over sales tax collected from customers and never remitted — after asking the court to stop them operating entirely. Parents deserve to know.

May 12, 2026 ·14 min read

ANALYSIS

Why Mobile Mechanic Fraud Is Outpacing Brick-and-Mortar Shop Cases

Across the 2024-2026 catalog of auto-repair enforcement actions, mobile mechanic cases are growing faster than fixed-shop cases — and the structural reasons explain why the trend is likely to keep accelerating.

May 9, 2026 ·7 min read

ALERT

Another Victim Comes Forward in Houston Mireles Auto-Repair Theft Case

Carlos Mireles, the Houston mechanic charged in 2025 with stealing more than $40,000 in vehicles and cash from customers, now faces fresh allegations from a new victim, Garrett Jester — adding to the pile of cases against an operator still awaiting trial.

May 5, 2026 ·5 min read

REPORT

State Attorneys General vs. Auto Repair Fraud: What 2025 Actually Looked Like

From New York's $19 million Nissan settlement to Minnesota's car-search takedown to Colorado's vehicle service contract clampdown, 2025 was the busiest year for state-level auto repair enforcement in recent memory. Here is the map.

May 1, 2026 ·7 min read

Q&A

Q&A: My Mechanic Damaged My Car. What Are My Rights and How Do I Recover?

Real reader questions on what to do when the shop that was supposed to fix your car broke it instead — evidence, insurance, small claims, and how to keep the leverage on your side.

April 27, 2026 ·6 min read

SCAMMER

Inside the YourMechanic Machine: How a $50 Million Startup Built a Network of Fake Mechanic Websites to Deceive Consumers

An investigative deep dive into YourMechanic, Wrench Inc, and a sprawling network of fake mobile mechanic websites — built by a family-run pay-per-call empire that has been documented operating the same playbook in mechanic, roofing, and home-construction lead generation for nearly two decades, and that has poisoned the expectations of an entire generation of mobile mechanics for the honest lead-gen companies that came after.

April 23, 2026 ·41 min read

ARTICLE

Why Ethical Mechanic Exists — And Why This Work Matters More Than Ever

The auto repair industry is plagued by fraud at every level. Ethical Mechanic exists to shine a light on all of it — for the consumers who got scammed and the mechanics who do it right.

April 20, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

The State of Auto Repair Fraud in America — What 2025 and 2026 Have Taught Us

From fake inspection stickers in Pennsylvania to billion-dollar dealer collapses in Texas, here's what the past year and a half has revealed about the auto repair industry's fraud problem.

April 18, 2026 ·5 min read

ALERT

How to Protect Yourself From Auto Restoration and Custom Shop Fraud

Restoration and custom builds are long, expensive projects — which makes them prime targets for fraud. Here's exactly how to protect yourself before you hand over your car.

April 15, 2026 ·5 min read

ALERT

Las Vegas Man Accused of Defrauding Classic Car Owners Out of $1 Million in Restoration Scams

Thirty-one felony charges. Over $1 million collected. Zero cars restored. A Las Vegas case exposes how restoration fraud exploits enthusiasts' patience and passion.

April 12, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

Former NFL Star Alshon Jeffery Arrested for Auto Insurance Fraud — Here's the Scheme That Costs Honest Drivers Billions

The former Eagles wide receiver is accused of letting his policy lapse, getting into a crash, then backdating new coverage — a 'soft fraud' scheme that costs honest drivers billions every year.

April 9, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

FTC and Maryland AG Force Lindsay Auto Group to Repay $75 Million in Dealer Junk Fees

In one of the largest auto retail settlements in FTC history, Lindsay Auto Group must refund more than $75 million to customers charged fake add-on fees from 2020 through 2025.

April 6, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Hire a Mobile Mechanic Safely — A Complete Vetting Guide for 2026

Mobile mechanics are convenient and often cheaper than shops — but without the right vetting, you're gambling with your car and your money.

April 3, 2026 ·5 min read

ALERT

South Carolina AG Indicts Man on 125 Counts in $1.4 Million VINsanity Auto Loan Fraud Scheme

Keiron Murray allegedly used small dealerships as fronts to obtain bank loans for vehicles that didn't exist — 125 counts and nearly $1.4 million later, South Carolina's AG is calling it out.

March 31, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

Florida Fraud Ring Grows to 16 Charged in $1.7 Million Property Damage Scheme

Sixteen people — including former Florida state employees — are now charged in a $1.7 million property damage fraud scheme, with more arrests expected.

March 27, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

New Jersey Man Charged in Multi-Million Dollar No-Fault Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey man submitted tens of millions in bogus medical and repair claims to New York auto insurers — and every honest driver is paying the tab.

March 24, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

Tax Refund Season and Car Dealerships — How 'Double Your Refund' Promotions Are Designed to Cost You More

The average tax refund is over $3,000 — and dealerships know exactly how to use it as a negotiating anchor against you.

March 20, 2026 ·4 min read

GUIDE

Spring Car Prep — The Complete Consumer Checklist With Scam Red Flags Built In

10 post-winter vehicle checks with fair price ranges and the specific upselling tactics to watch for at both repair shops and mobile mechanics.

March 17, 2026 ·5 min read

GUIDE

April Is National Car Care Month — What Preventive Maintenance Actually Means and What It Shouldn't Cost You

The Car Care Council, AAA, NAPA, and ASE all promote April as National Car Care Month — here's what preventive maintenance is actually worth doing versus what shops use it to upsell.

March 13, 2026 ·5 min read

ALERT

Houston Body Shop Used Fake $63,000 Repair Bills to Steal Exotic Cars in Multi-State Fraud Ring

Talal Obeid and Pure Performance in Houston were raided in March 2026 — nine luxury vehicles seized, $47K cash, and a $63,000 lien on a Mercedes-AMG with zero documentation to back it up.

March 10, 2026 ·4 min read

GUIDE

Pothole Season Is Here — How to Tell If Your Car Was Damaged and Whether Your Mechanic's Quote Is Fair

AAA says pothole damage costs drivers an average of $600 per incident — here's how to inspect your own vehicle, evaluate repair quotes, and file a claim if the city is responsible.

March 6, 2026 ·4 min read

GUIDE

World Consumer Rights Day 2026 — The Auto Repair Issues Consumers Are Fighting Right Now

March 15 is World Consumer Rights Day — this year's theme is 'Safe Products, Confident Consumers,' and in auto repair, the safety stakes are higher than most people realize.

March 3, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

Iowa Dealership's $12 Million Double-Dip Fraud Collapses and 76 Employees Lose Their Jobs

Sky Auto Mall obtained floor-plan loans on the same 81 vehicles from both Stellantis and Ford — a double-dipping scheme that ended with vehicles seized and 76 people out of work.

February 27, 2026 ·4 min read

GUIDE

National Consumer Protection Week 2026 — Your Auto Repair Rights Explained

March 1-7 is National Consumer Protection Week — here are the legal rights every driver has at an auto repair shop, and what to do when those rights are ignored.

February 24, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

Florida's $1.7 Million Government Fraud Scheme — State Employees Helped File Fake Property Damage Claims

A former Florida DFS employee processed 220+ suspicious claims and recruited others into a fraud ring — 16 people charged in a case that mirrors how auto body insurance fraud works from the inside.

February 20, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

Miami Body Shop Owner Charged With Racketeering for Fraudulent Lien Scheme

Jesus Ramon Nunez-Salgueiro used a Nunez Body Shop to file fake liens on 16 vehicles — including a Tesla Model 3 — claiming repairs that were never done.

February 17, 2026 ·4 min read

GUIDE

EV Owners at the Repair Shop — What You Need to Know That Your Dealer Won't Tell You

EV collision claims jumped 14% in 2025, repairs take longer and cost more, and some shops are making questionable total-loss calls — here's what to ask before you authorize anything.

February 13, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

Seniors Beware — The Parking Lot Repair Scam Targeting Elderly Drivers

Two people were arrested in Lincoln, California after approaching an elderly couple at a Lowe's, spray-painting their car, and demanding cash — a traveling con that police say has more victims.

February 10, 2026 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Automakers Are Restricting Independent Shops From Accessing Your Car's Wireless Data and You're Paying for It

A February 2026 report confirms that automakers are systematically locking independent shops out of telematics data, costing the independent repair sector $3.1 billion annually — and that cost flows directly to consumers.

February 6, 2026 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

REPAIR Act Advances in Congress — What Right to Repair Means for Independent Shops and Consumers

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee unanimously advanced the REPAIR Act in February 2026, pushing for independent shops to get the same diagnostic access as dealerships — which directly affects what you pay.

February 3, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

New Jersey Used Car Dealer Hit With $840,000 Judgment for Nearly a Decade of Consumer Fraud

BM Motor Cars in Rahway, NJ racked up 511 consumer protection violations in just a two-month sample — hiding fees, banning inspections, and selling unsafe vehicles — before the AG finally brought them down.

January 30, 2026 ·3 min read

GUIDE

Winter Car Damage You Might Be Ignoring and Why It Matters in the Spring

Winter quietly does real damage to your car — and if you don't know what to look for, an unscrupulous shop will be happy to tell you in the spring, with urgency and a big bill attached.

January 27, 2026 ·2 min read

ALERT

How to Vet a Used Car Dealer Before You Sign Anything

Before you hand over a deposit or sign a financing contract, here's exactly what to check — and the red flags that should make you walk out the door.

January 23, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

Tricolor's Billion-Dollar Collapse — How a Subprime Dealer Preyed on Immigrants and Got Indicted

Federal prosecutors have charged Tricolor's CEO and three executives with fraud after the company double-pledged $800 million in collateral and systematically targeted undocumented immigrants for predatory loans.

January 20, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

What Is a Mechanic's Lien and Can a Shop Really Sell Your Car

A mechanic's lien is a legitimate legal tool — but it's also one of the most abused weapons in auto fraud, and knowing how it works could save your car.

January 16, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

Las Vegas Mechanic Forged Documents to Steal a Customer's BMW While He Was on Vacation

A Las Vegas shop owner allegedly used a fabricated repair bill and a fraudulent mechanic's lien to seize and sell a rideshare driver's BMW while the owner was out of the country.

January 13, 2026 ·3 min read

ALERT

FTC Annual Report — The Biggest Auto Repair and Dealer Scams Targeting Older Adults in 2025

The FTC's annual report to Congress documents $4.9 billion in elder fraud losses in 2025 — and auto-related scams are a significant and growing piece of that number.

January 9, 2026 ·5 min read

ALERT

How to Buy a Car in 2026 Without Getting Ripped Off

The rules of the car buying game have changed — here's what you actually need to know to walk out with a fair deal.

January 6, 2026 ·6 min read

ALERT

FTC Sends Warning Letters to 97 Auto Dealer Groups Over Deceptive Pricing

The FTC put 97 dealership groups covering more than 1,000 locations on notice: advertised prices must be real prices, no exceptions.

January 2, 2026 ·4 min read

ALERT

PA Shop Owner and Mechanic Charged With 161 Counts for Fake Inspections Tied to Oilology

Two men at Irvine Alignment in Pennsylvania face over 200 combined charges for passing vehicles that were never actually inspected — vehicles a separate business allegedly never repaired.

December 30, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Fight Back Against Dealership Add-On Fees You Never Agreed To

Nitrogen tires, paint protection, GPS trackers, doc fees — some you can fight, some are negotiable, and some are outright illegal to add without your consent.

December 26, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

FTC: Lindsay Auto Group Must Refund $75 Million to Consumers Over Hidden Fees

Lindsay Automotive charged customers over $75 million in fees and unwanted add-ons they never agreed to — and now they have to pay it back.

December 23, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

The Technician Shortage Crisis — How It Creates Opportunities for Fraud

The US is short 68,000 auto technicians a year — and that gap is creating pressure that consumers end up paying for.

December 19, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

Harris County Tax Office Employees Charged in No-Inspection-Needed Registration Fraud Ring

Two Harris County Tax Office employees allegedly ran a side business registering vehicles that were never inspected — for a fee.

December 16, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

Pointing Fingers at the Protectors

Ethical Mechanic exposes scammers in the auto-repair industry. For that, we are harassed, called names, and accused of being the unethical ones. We have not stolen from anyone. We have not destroyed anyone's car. So why is the finger pointed at us?

December 15, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Auto Body Shop Insurance Fraud Raises Your Premiums and How to Spot It

When a body shop commits insurance fraud, you're the one paying for it — every time your renewal comes in.

December 12, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

How to Verify a Vehicle's History and Avoid Buying a Chop Shop Car

Chop shops don't just steal cars — they sell them back to you with a clean history and a fake identity.

December 9, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

PA Operation Dirty Paper — Chop Shop Ring Used Fake Inspections as Cover

Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday charged 15 people and 2 businesses in a Lebanon County case that combined vehicle theft, chop shop operations, and fraudulent inspection stickers.

December 5, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How Auto Finance Fraud Reached a Record $10.4 Billion

Point Predictive's 2026 fraud report shows auto finance fraud hitting a record $10.4 billion — driven by identity fraud, synthetic identities, and the shift to online car buying.

December 2, 2025 ·5 min read

ARTICLE

Winter Car Care Guide: How to Avoid Breakdowns and the Shops That Profit From Them

A no-nonsense winter car care guide paired with advice on avoiding shops that manufacture cold-weather urgency and push services you don't actually need.

November 28, 2025 ·5 min read

ARTICLE

Right to Repair Bills Flood State Legislatures as Colorado Law Takes Effect

Colorado's right-to-repair law took effect January 1, 2026, and 33 similar bills are moving through 13 other states — here's what the momentum means for car owners.

November 25, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Spot the 7 Most Common Auto Repair Scams of 2025

A year-end look at the repair scams that cost consumers the most in 2025 — drawn from real news stories, FTC actions, and attorney general cases.

November 21, 2025 ·6 min read

ARTICLE

Holiday Travel Vehicle Prep: 12 Things to Check Before Driving Across State Lines

A practical checklist for making sure your vehicle is ready for holiday road travel — plus how to get it inspected without being upsold things you don't need.

November 18, 2025 ·5 min read

TRUSTED

Ethical Excellence in Action — KTD Auto Mobile Mechanic of Jacksonville

We spend most of our time exposing the bad actors. This story is the other side of the ledger: KTD Auto Mobile Mechanic of Jacksonville, FL — a certified, insured, licensed operator that has earned its customers' trust the right way.

November 17, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month — Make Sure Your Car Is Road-Ready for Holiday Travel

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month — and while most messaging focuses on the driver, vehicle condition kills people too.

November 14, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

Tricolor Executives Charged with Systemic $1 Billion Fraud Against Banks and Used Car Buyers

Federal prosecutors indicted Tricolor CEO Daniel Chu and three other executives in December 2025, exposing a billion-dollar fraud that left 60,000 borrowers exposed.

November 11, 2025 ·5 min read

ARTICLE

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week: Is Grandpa's Car Safe to Drive?

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is December 1-5 — a good time to think beyond driving fitness and check whether aging relatives' vehicles are actually roadworthy.

November 7, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

Extended Warranty vs Vehicle Service Contract — What Every Car Owner Must Understand

Most 'extended warranties' sold by third parties are actually service contracts — and the difference matters enormously when you file a claim.

November 4, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

CarShield Refund Checks Going Out — FTC Sends $9.6 Million to Consumers Who Were Denied Claims

The FTC mailed 168,179 refund checks totaling $9.6 million to CarShield customers in December 2025 — here's how to cash yours and what to know before buying any extended warranty.

October 31, 2025 ·3 min read

GUIDE

EV Repair Reality Check — Why Your Electric Car May Be Harder to Fix Than You Think

Only 3% of technicians are proficient in EV repair, 25% of shops won't touch them, and EVs are averaging more problems per 100 vehicles than gas cars. Here's what to know.

October 28, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

What to Do When Your Auto Shop Keeps Making Excuses and Never Fixes Your Car

Inspired by the Oilology case: how long a shop can legally hold your vehicle, when to escalate, and how to get your car back even if the work isn't finished.

October 24, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Pennsylvania Oilology Fraud — One Auto Shop Owner and Eight Criminal Cases in Four Weeks

Keith Smith of Oilology in Cranberry Township, PA accumulated eight criminal cases in a single month — a textbook case of how auto repair fraud compounds when left unchecked.

October 21, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week: Get Your Car Ready for the Time Change

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is November 2–8 — and the time change makes this the right moment to check the vehicle systems that keep you visible and safe in the dark.

October 17, 2025 ·2 min read

GUIDE

How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter and What New Laws Are Coming

Catalytic converter theft costs victims $1,000–$3,000 per incident — here's what you can do now and what legislation is in the pipeline.

October 14, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

NJ/NY Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Dismantled After Dozens of Thefts

Trenton police broke up a catalytic converter theft ring responsible for 34 thefts across New Jersey — and federal legislation is finally catching up.

October 10, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

National Teen Driver Safety Week: Is Your Teen's Car Actually Safe

Driving habits get all the attention during Teen Driver Safety Week — but the car itself might be the bigger hazard.

October 7, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to File a Complaint Against an Auto Repair Shop and Actually Get Results

A step-by-step breakdown of where to file, what to document, and which agencies actually have teeth.

October 3, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

FTC's CARS Rule Was Struck Down — But Dealers Are Still Being Prosecuted

The Fifth Circuit killed the FTC's CARS Rule in January 2025, but enforcement against shady dealers hasn't skipped a beat.

September 30, 2025 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

Nick Maz: Inside a Colorado Springs Mobile-Mechanic Operation — Fraud, Intimidation, and Children Caught in the Middle

It began with one customer, $300, and two vehicles left torn apart in a driveway. What Ethical Mechanic uncovered was a Colorado Springs mobile-mechanic operating with no license, no insurance, and no certification — and an online following willing to threaten, harass, and lie to keep it that way. This is the full record.

September 29, 2025 ·13 min read

ARTICLE

California Becomes the First State to Pass Its Own CARS Act — What Car Buyers Need to Know

Governor Newsom signed California's version of the CARS Act on October 7, 2025, banning junk fees, requiring full price disclosure, and giving buyers a 3-day right to cancel used car purchases under $50K.

September 26, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

Fall Car Care Month: The Consumer's Guide to Scam-Free Autumn Maintenance

October is Fall Car Care Month. The Car Care Council wants you to inspect your vehicle — and scammers want to use that as an opening. Here's how to tell the difference.

September 23, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Oklahoma's New Auto Repair Consumer Protection Law Takes Effect November 1

Oklahoma's Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act takes effect November 1, 2025, with new regulations on labor rates and administrative charges for total loss processing.

September 19, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Auto Repair Scammers Target Seniors and How to Protect Older Adults

The FTC reported elder fraud hit $4.9 billion in 2024. Auto repair scams are a significant piece of that — and the tactics used against older adults are specific and deliberate.

September 16, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

The Right to Repair Act Explained — Why It Matters for Every Car Owner

The REPAIR Act was reintroduced in 2025 and several states have already passed their own laws. Here's what right to repair actually means for your wallet.

September 12, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

How to Read Your Auto Repair Invoice and What to Challenge

Most people sign auto repair invoices without understanding what they're paying for — and shops count on that. Here's a line-by-line guide to what's legitimate and what isn't.

September 9, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Car From a Buy-Here-Pay-Here Dealer

Buy-here-pay-here dealers serve people with limited credit options — but the loan terms and business practices can be predatory. Here's how to go in with your eyes open.

September 5, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

Tricolor Auto's $1 Billion Collapse Left 60,000 Borrowers in Limbo

When Tricolor Auto filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September 2025, over 60,000 borrowers — many undocumented immigrants — were left scrambling to figure out what happens to their car loans.

September 2, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

What to Do When a Shop Refuses to Return Your Car

A mechanic's lien gives shops legal standing to hold your car — but that right has hard limits, and crossing them is extortion.

August 29, 2025 ·5 min read

ALERT

California Busts 16-Person Ring Holding Crash Victims' Cars Hostage

A 16-person Southern California fraud ring impersonated insurance adjusters to steer crash victims to a tow shop that held their cars hostage for ransom.

August 26, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

What Every Car Owner Should Know About Vehicle Recall Rights

Recalls are free, dealers can't charge you, and you have more options than you think — including reimbursement if a recall defect caused damage before you were notified.

August 22, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Ford Sets an All-Time Recall Record in 2025 — Is Your Vehicle on the List

Ford issued 152 recalls covering 12.9 million vehicles in 2025, shattering GM's previous all-time record. Here's what's being recalled and how to find out if your car is affected.

August 19, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Safely Hire a Mobile Mechanic Without Getting Scammed

Mobile mechanics can be a legitimate, affordable option — but scammers exploit the format. Here's how to vet one properly before you hand over your keys or your money.

August 15, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Fake Mobile Mechanic Scam Leaves Virginia Driver Stranded and Out of Money

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office warned residents in August 2025 about a scammer posing as a mobile mechanic online — demanding Apple Pay upfront for a part, then vanishing.

August 12, 2025 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Your Legal Rights When a Mechanic Estimates One Price and Bills Another

Most states require shops to honor written estimates within 10% — and you have real legal options when they don't. Here's what the law says and how to use it.

August 8, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Pennsylvania Mechanic Arrested for Selling 200 Counterfeit Inspection Stickers to Trucking Companies

Fares Farhat of Halifax, PA faces 81 felony counts after allegedly selling counterfeit inspection stickers to more than 150 trucking companies and pocketing over $207,000 — all while his inspection authorization had been suspended.

August 5, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Red Flags to Spot a Fake or Fraudulent Mechanic Before It Is Too Late

Whether you're dealing with a shop or a mobile mechanic, these warning signs can tell you when to walk away before you lose your money or your car.

August 1, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Harris County Fake Mechanic Stole Customers' Cars While Promising Repairs

Carlos Mireles was charged with felony theft exceeding $40,000 after stealing and stripping vehicles from at least four customers who trusted him with their cars for repairs.

July 29, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Check a Used Car's Title History Before You Buy

Before you hand over money for a used car, here's how to use NMVTIS, Carfax, AutoCheck, and the NHTSA VIN decoder to catch title washing, odometer fraud, and hidden salvage history.

July 25, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Texas DMV Employee Busted for Selling Fake Car Titles to Auto Theft Ring

A Harris County DMV employee and her accomplice were charged with creating fraudulent car titles to launder stolen vehicles — and innocent buyers paid the price.

July 22, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

How to Document Everything Before and After Any Auto Repair — A Step-by-Step Guide

Photos, mileage, written estimates, and saved texts — your documentation is your only protection if something goes wrong at a shop or with a mobile mechanic.

July 18, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

The Truth About Lifetime Warranties at Auto Repair Chains

Midas, Meineke, Pep Boys and others advertise "lifetime warranties" on certain repairs — but the fine print makes them far less valuable than they sound.

July 15, 2025 ·4 min read

SCAMMER

Beware: Keon Moore — Threats, Intimidation, and a Troubling Association

Keon Moore surfaced during an investigation into the Mazerac mobile-mechanic operation — and what should have been a routine outreach call turned into open threats and intimidation.

July 14, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Why Independent Shops Beat Dealerships on Price — And When They Don't

Independent shops typically charge 25-50% less than dealerships, but that gap doesn't tell the whole story — here's when each actually makes sense.

July 11, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Know If Your Mechanic Is Padding the Labor Hours on Your Bill

Labor padding is one of the hardest auto repair scams to spot — here's how to look up what a job should actually cost and what to do when numbers don't add up.

July 8, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

Pennsylvania Mechanic Faces 200 Charges for Counterfeit Inspection Stickers on Commercial Vehicles

Fares Farhat of Halifax, PA accepted over $75,000 to issue fake inspection stickers to trucking companies — and 40 of those vehicles later failed roadside inspections.

July 4, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

What to Do When Your Mobile Mechanic Ghosts You Mid-Repair

A mechanic who disappears with your parts removed and money paid is a nightmare — here's the exact steps to take and how to prevent it.

July 1, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

National Tire Safety Week: What NHTSA Wants You to Check Before July 4th

June 30 through July 4 is National Tire Safety Week — and NHTSA data shows worn tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash.

June 27, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Shops Use Scare Tactics to Upsell Brake Jobs You Don't Need

"Metal on metal" is one of the most overused phrases in auto repair — here's how to know if your brakes actually need work.

June 24, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Summer Heat and Your Car: The Repairs That Actually Matter vs the Ones Shops Push

Not every summer service your shop recommends is worth paying for — here's how to separate real warm-weather needs from seasonal upsells.

June 20, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

What Every Car Owner Should Know About Coolant Flushes and Why Most Shops Oversell Them

Most cars don't need a coolant flush until 100,000 miles — here's how to check yours and know when a shop is overselling the service.

June 17, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

The Rise of Mobile Mechanics: Why the Industry Grew 40 Percent in Five Years

Mobile mechanic services have grown roughly 40 percent since 2019 — driven by convenience, lower overhead, and a pandemic that changed how people think about car service.

June 13, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

How to Get a Second Opinion on a Major Repair Without Offending Your Mechanic

A mechanic worth keeping will encourage you to get a second opinion — and that fact alone tells you a lot.

June 10, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

EV Battery Replacement Costs: What Dealers Won't Tell You and What Independent Shops Can Do

EV battery replacement can cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more — and dealers aren't the only option anymore.

June 6, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

National Automotive Service Professionals Month — The Backbone of the Industry

June is National Automotive Service Professionals Month — a good moment to acknowledge the people who keep America's vehicles running.

June 3, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Auto Repair Scams Target Non-English Speaking Communities

Language barriers create exactly the kind of confusion that predatory shops exploit — and this problem is significantly underreported.

May 30, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

When Your Repair Takes Longer Than Promised: Your Rights and Options

A delayed repair isn't always a scam — but you have rights regardless of why it's taking longer than promised.

May 27, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Memorial Day Road Trip Prep: What Every Driver Should Check Before Hitting the Highway

Shops fill up fast before long weekends — here's how to prepare your car without waiting until the last minute.

May 23, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Mobile Mechanic From an App

App-based mobile mechanic platforms offer real convenience — but not all of them vet their mechanics the way they claim to.

May 20, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

The Aftermarket Parts Debate: Are Shops Required to Use OEM Parts

Shops are not required to use OEM parts unless you ask — but they are required to tell you what they're using.

May 16, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How Tow Truck Companies and Shady Shops Work Together to Trap You

Tow truck drivers who steer your car to a specific shop aren't doing you a favor — they're getting paid to do it.

May 13, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Be Car Care Aware Month: Preparing Your Vehicle for Summer Road Trips

May is Be Car Care Aware Month — and with Memorial Day road trips approaching, here's what to actually check before you load up the car and hit the highway.

May 9, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Why Mobile Mechanics Need Liability Insurance and How to Verify It

An uninsured mobile mechanic who damages your vehicle or causes a fire can leave you holding a bill for thousands with no legal recourse — here's how to protect yourself before it happens.

May 6, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

The Mechanic's Lien: Can a Shop Legally Keep Your Car If You Don't Pay

Yes, in most states a shop can legally hold your car if you don't pay — but that power has limits, and knowing those limits is how you fight back when it's being abused.

May 2, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Ford Shatters All-Time Recall Record — 152 Safety Alerts and 12.9 Million Vehicles Affected

Ford issued more recalls in the first half of 2025 than any automaker has ever had in a full year, affecting nearly 13 million vehicles across multiple serious safety categories.

April 29, 2025 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

Three Names, One Pattern — Jacksonville Mobile Mechanic Kyle Johnson

Kyle Johnson took a $325 up-front Cash App payment for a cooling-system repair, then went silent — citing a medical emergency he has never documented. He has operated under at least three names, and the negative feedback follows all of them.

April 28, 2025 ·4 min read

ALERT

How to Spot a Fly-by-Night Mobile Mechanic on Facebook Marketplace

The same platform where people sell used furniture is increasingly where fraudulent mobile mechanics find their next victim — here's how to tell the difference.

April 25, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

What Your Auto Repair Invoice Should Include and What to Do If It Doesn't

A legitimate repair invoice isn't just a total at the bottom — it's a detailed record of what was done, what was used, and what you're actually paying for.

April 22, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Three Western Pennsylvania Mechanics Charged in 100-Vehicle Inspection Fraud Scheme

Three western Pennsylvania mechanics face forgery and conspiracy charges after investigators say they fraudulently passed approximately 100 vehicles through state safety inspections.

April 18, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to File a Complaint Against an Auto Repair Shop in Every State

Getting ripped off by an auto shop isn't just frustrating — it's often illegal, and you have real options for fighting back.

April 15, 2025 ·3 min read

GUIDE

Should You Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection From a Mobile Mechanic Before Buying a Used Car

A pre-purchase inspection from a mobile mechanic is one of the smartest $150 you can spend before handing over thousands for a used car.

April 11, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Pittsburgh-Area Auto Shop Faces 161 Charges for Fraudulent Vehicle Inspections

Irvine Alignment in Gibsonia, PA is facing 161 criminal charges after investigators say the shop was passing vehicles for state inspection without actually inspecting them.

April 8, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

The Diagnostic Fee Trap: When Shops Charge You Just to Look at Your Car

Diagnostic fees are sometimes legitimate and sometimes a straight-up shake-down — here's how to tell the difference before you drop off your keys.

April 4, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

April Is National Car Care Month — What Ethical Mechanics Actually Recommend

The Car Care Council says April is National Car Care Month — here's what actually matters versus what shops use it as an excuse to sell you.

April 1, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Red Flags When a Mobile Mechanic Asks for Payment Before Starting Work

There's a difference between a legitimate deposit and a scam — here's how to tell which one you're looking at.

March 28, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

California Scrambles to Fix Controversial Lemon Law Overhaul Before April Deadline

California lawmakers rushed lemon law changes through that cut consumer protections — now they're racing to undo the damage before April 1.

March 25, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Fake Google Reviews Are Destroying Honest Auto Repair Shops

Shady shops are buying five-star reviews in bulk — and the honest shops competing against them are paying the price.

March 21, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Spring Car Care Checklist: 10 Things Your Mechanic Should Be Checking Right Now

Winter is hard on cars in ways you can't always see — here's the spring inspection checklist that actually matters.

March 18, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Montana Senate Passes Bill Requiring Insurers to Cover OEM Safety Inspections After Collisions

Montana's SB 356 takes a direct stance: if a manufacturer says your car needs a post-collision safety inspection, your insurer has to cover it.

March 14, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

How to Verify If Your Mechanic Is Actually ASE Certified — The 60-Second Check

Any mechanic can claim ASE certification — here's how to verify it in about a minute before you hand over your keys.

March 11, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

San Jose Body Shop Owner Caught in Undercover Insurance Fraud Sting

A Santa Clara County DA operation used a bait car to catch a San Jose body shop owner inflating repair estimates — and he had a prior fraud conviction.

March 7, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

What Happens When a Mobile Mechanic Damages Your Car — Your Legal Options

If a mobile mechanic damages your car, you have real legal options — but only if you documented everything first.

March 4, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Texas Files Right to Repair Bill — Independent Shops Could Win Big

Texas HB 3682, filed in March 2025, would require automakers to provide independent shops and owners with repair resources on fair terms starting September 2025.

February 28, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Body Shops Inflate Insurance Estimates and How to Catch It

From billing OEM but installing aftermarket to adding damage that was never there — here's how body shop fraud actually works and how to protect yourself.

February 25, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

National Automotive Service Professionals Week: Recognizing the Mechanics Who Do It Right

Most of what we cover is what to watch out for — but this week is about the honest mechanics who deserve your trust, your business, and a five-star review.

February 21, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Why Your Auto Repair Shop Must Give You a Written Estimate — State by State Breakdown

Most states legally require auto repair shops to provide written estimates — here's what the law says in your state and why most consumers never know about it.

February 18, 2025 ·5 min read

GUIDE

5 Questions to Ask a Mobile Mechanic Before They Touch Your Car

Five direct questions that separate legitimate mobile mechanics from fly-by-night operators — ask them before you hand over your keys.

February 14, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Massachusetts Body Shop Insurance Fraud Ring Busted — Over $1 Million in Fake Claims

Six people were indicted in Everett, MA for running a body shop fraud scheme that fabricated collisions, inflated damage reports, and bribed a state clerk.

February 11, 2025 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

"I Just Got Released From Jail" — Jacksonville Mobile Mechanic David Tyson, In His Own Words

When an older customer told David Tyson she felt ripped off, the Jacksonville mobile mechanic didn't apologize or make it right. He boasted — in writing — that he'd just gotten out of jail, had been arrested 'over 100' times, and didn't care who she told. He told on himself.

February 10, 2025 ·3 min read

GUIDE

The Written Estimate: Your Most Powerful Legal Protection at Any Repair Shop

In most states, shops are legally required to give you a written estimate — and they usually can't exceed it by more than 10% without your approval.

February 7, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Congress Reintroduces Bipartisan Auto Right to Repair Bill — Here Is What Changed

Federal right to repair legislation is back in 2025 with bipartisan support — and this version has more teeth than its predecessors.

February 4, 2025 ·4 min read

GUIDE

How to Choose Between a Mobile Mechanic and a Traditional Shop for Your Next Repair

Mobile mechanics are legitimate, convenient, and often cheaper — but some jobs still need a shop. Here's how to know the difference.

January 31, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

Maine's Right to Repair Law Takes Effect — What It Means for Car Owners and Shops

Maine's Right to Repair law is now in effect, giving independent mechanics access to the same diagnostic data as dealerships — and giving you more choices for repairs.

January 28, 2025 ·4 min read

ARTICLE

The Right to Repair Explained: Why Where You Get Your Car Fixed Is Under Threat

Car manufacturers are using technology to lock independent shops out of your vehicle's data. Here's what that means for your wallet — and what's being done about it.

January 24, 2025 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

What Consumers Won and Lost in Auto Repair Rights in 2024

2024 brought real wins for car owners — and some significant setbacks. Here's an honest accounting of where consumer repair rights actually stand.

January 21, 2025 ·3 min read

GUIDE

Teen Drivers and Their First Mechanic: How to Teach Car Repair Literacy

Most teens learn to drive but never learn how to deal with a mechanic. That gap costs them — sometimes a lot. Here's how to close it before it matters.

January 17, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

Protecting Senior Drivers From Auto Repair Fraud: A Guide for Families

Seniors are disproportionately targeted by auto repair scammers — from driveway con artists to predatory shops. Here's how families can help protect the older drivers they love.

January 14, 2025 ·3 min read

ALERT

The Car Maintenance Log: Why Keeping Records Protects You Against Fraud

A simple maintenance log costs nothing to keep and can save you hundreds — or thousands — when a shop tries to charge you for work that's already been done.

January 10, 2025 ·2 min read

ALERT

How to Build an Emergency Car Repair Fund and Why It Protects You From Scams

Desperate car owners make easy targets. A small repair fund changes the entire power dynamic when something breaks down unexpectedly.

January 7, 2025 ·3 min read

GUIDE

Start the New Year Right: The Maintenance Your Car Actually Needs in January

January is prime season for upsells at the shop. Here's what your car actually needs this month — and what you can safely skip.

January 3, 2025 ·2 min read

GUIDE

10 Car Care Resolutions for 2025 From an Honest Mechanic

New year, same car — but a few good habits can mean fewer surprises, less money wasted, and a lot less stress when something goes wrong.

December 31, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

2024 Year in Review: Every Major Auto Fraud Case and What Changed

From FTC enforcement actions to the counterfeit parts crisis, here's a look back at the biggest auto fraud stories of 2024 — and what they mean for 2025.

December 26, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

FTC Charges Lindsay Auto Group With Systematic Consumer Deception

88% of Lindsay Auto Group customers paid more than the advertised price — an average of $2,000+ more — thanks to unauthorized add-ons and outright deception.

December 23, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

FTC Hits Leader Automotive With Record $20 Million Settlement

The FTC's action against Leader Automotive Group is the largest judgment the agency has ever obtained against an auto dealer. Ten dealerships. Bait-and-switch advertising. Gray-market cars sold as new. Fake reviews. Junk fees. It's all in there.

December 19, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

The Biggest Auto Repair Scams of 2024 — And What They Teach Us

From a $10 million FTC settlement with a warranty company to federal charges over counterfeit airbags, 2024 was a significant year for automotive consumer fraud enforcement. Here's the roundup — and the patterns that connect them.

December 16, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

How to Read a Dealer Finance Contract and Spot Hidden Fees

The finance office is where the deal you negotiated on the lot becomes something different. Here's what every line item means, what you can refuse, and why you should take the contract home before signing.

December 12, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Mississippi Identity Fraud Ring Used Stolen IDs to Buy Cars at Dealerships

Four defendants used stolen identity documents to purchase $127,000 in vehicles from Mississippi dealerships. Federal sentences ranged from 12 to 46 months. The case highlights the ongoing vulnerability of dealership verification processes to document fraud.

December 9, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Military Families and Car Dealer Scams: Special Protections You May Not Know About

Military families are disproportionately targeted by predatory auto dealers. What many service members don't know is that federal law gives them specific protections — protections that dealers near bases often hope you won't ask about.

December 5, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

December Is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month — Is Your Car Safe?

NHTSA's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs every December for a reason. But impaired driving isn't the only holiday road risk. Your vehicle needs to be mechanically ready for the season, too.

December 2, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Fake Car Parts: The $3 Billion Problem Hiding in Repair Shops

Counterfeit auto parts are a $3 billion annual problem in the United States — and some of them are ending up in repair shops without anyone realizing it. Fake airbags have killed people. Fake brake pads have failed. Here's what's actually entering the supply chain.

November 28, 2024 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

Baltimore Mobile Mechanic's Background Raises Eyebrows — Tyrell Moulden

A Baltimore mobile mechanic, Tyrell Moulden, has been identified in public records as a registered sex offender — a reminder of why a background check matters before anyone is invited onto your property.

November 25, 2024 ·3 min read

ANALYSIS

What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down During Holiday Travel

Breaking down during Thanksgiving or Christmas travel is stressful enough without getting taken advantage of. Here's a step-by-step guide to staying safe, finding help, and not getting ripped off when it happens at the worst possible time.

November 25, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Software Locks and Your Car: The Viral TikTok That Explains Why Your Mechanic Cannot Fix It

A video of a Dodge Ram sitting in a shop — not because the mechanic doesn't know what's wrong, but because the manufacturer won't share the data needed to fix it — went viral for a reason. It explains a problem millions of car owners are about to run into.

November 21, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Surviving Holiday Road Trips: Car Prep and Scam Prevention

Before you hit the road for the holidays, there are two jobs to do: make sure your car is ready, and make sure you are not a target for tourist-area repair scams.

November 18, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Tow Truck Scammers Use Police Scanners to Find You

Predatory tow trucks monitor police scanners to reach accident and breakdown scenes before you've had a chance to call anyone. Here's how the scam works and what your rights are.

November 14, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Your Rights When a Repair Shop Damages Your Car

If a shop damages your car while it's in their care, you have real legal rights — but enforcing them requires knowing what to do from the moment you notice the problem.

November 11, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Colorado AG Shuts Down Champion Car Warranty Company Mid-Scheme

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser shut down Champion Car Warranty, which used fake affiliations with Car Talk and others to sell near-worthless service contracts. The web of shell companies involved went deeper than most cases.

November 4, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

What Happens When Your Catalytic Converter Is Stolen — and How to Avoid Getting Scammed on the Replacement

Getting your catalytic converter stolen is bad enough. Getting overcharged on the replacement makes it worse. Here's what the repair should cost and how to navigate the process.

October 31, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter: The Options That Actually Work

Catalytic converter theft takes under two minutes. Here are the protection options that actually slow thieves down — and which cars are targeted most.

October 28, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Catalytic Converter Theft Is Down 95% in Colorado — Here's What Worked

Colorado cracked down on catalytic converter theft and saw a 95% drop. The approach is simple and other states could follow it. Here's what actually changed.

October 24, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

National Teen Driver Safety Week: Teaching Your Kid About Mechanics

National Teen Driver Safety Week runs October 20-26. Beyond defensive driving, there's another skill worth teaching: how not to get taken advantage of at a repair shop.

October 21, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

New York No-Fault Insurance Fraud: $10 Million Scheme Exposed

Four people were indicted in a $10 million no-fault insurance fraud scheme in New York. Here's how it worked — and what it costs the rest of us.

October 17, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Battery, Brakes, Belts, and Tires: The 4 Bs of Fall Car Care

Fall is the best time to get ahead of winter car trouble. Here's a practical checklist built around the four things that matter most this time of year.

October 14, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

FTC Sends $1 Million to Rhinelander Auto Center Victims

The FTC is mailing 7,531 refund checks to customers of Rhinelander Auto Center in Wisconsin — a dealership found to have charged junk fees without consent and systematically overcharged American Indian customers by an average of $1,362.

October 10, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

The FTC CARS Rule Legal Battle: What Is at Stake for Car Buyers

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on October 9 in a dealership industry challenge to the FTC's CARS Rule — a regulation that would save American car buyers an estimated $3.4 billion per year.

October 7, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Fall Car Care Month 2024: What Ethical Mechanics Actually Inspect

October is Fall Car Care Month. The actual checklist for a legitimate fall inspection looks nothing like the upsell sheet at a franchise quick-lube. Here's what honest mechanics actually prioritize.

October 3, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

National Automotive Industry Day — Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going

October 1 is National Automotive Industry Day. It's a good moment to reflect on how far the industry has come, where the real problems still live, and what reform actually looks like.

September 30, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

National Drive Electric Week: What EV Owners Need to Know About Repairs

National Drive Electric Week runs September 27 through October 6 — and while there's plenty of celebration, EV owners face a repair landscape that's more complicated and more expensive than most people realize.

September 26, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Spot a Fake Mobile Mechanic on Nextdoor and Facebook

Mobile mechanic scams on neighborhood apps are getting harder to spot — but the red flags are still there if you know what to look for before you hand over any money.

September 22, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

National Tradesmen Day: Honoring the Mechanics Who Do It Right

September 20th is National Tradesmen Day — a moment to recognize the skilled mechanics, technicians, and shop owners who do this work with integrity every single day.

September 19, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How Rising Repair Costs Create Scam-Vulnerable Consumers

When repair costs jump 33% in three years and people are already stretched thin, desperation takes over. That's exactly when the scammers show up with prices that seem too good to pass up — because they are.

September 15, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

The Difference Between a Scam and a Mistake: Is Your Mechanic Crooked or Just Wrong?

Not every bad repair is fraud, and not every honest mistake is excusable. Learning the difference between a misdiagnosis and intentional deception can change how you respond — and whether you get your money back.

September 11, 2024 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

A Pattern of Deceit — Atlanta Mobile Mechanic David Burtz

Atlanta mobile mechanic David Burtz faces a consistent pattern of complaints: overcharging, substandard parts billed as new, repairs that fail within hours, and a habit of disputing legitimate charges to claw back his own money.

September 9, 2024 ·4 min read

ALERT

Facebook Marketplace Auto Scams: Fake Mechanics and Counterfeit Parts

From fake mechanic profiles to counterfeit airbags and cars listed as 'just needs a little work,' Facebook Marketplace has become a hunting ground for automotive scammers. Here's how to protect yourself.

September 8, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Counterfeit Airbag Seizures Up 10x — Federal Warning Issued

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 490 counterfeit airbag inflators in FY2024 — a tenfold increase — as part of a broader surge in fake automotive parts entering the country.

September 4, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

What a Diagnostic Fee Actually Covers and When It Is Being Abused

Diagnostic fees are legitimate — but the range from fair to padded is wide, and some shops use them as a revenue line rather than a genuine service.

September 1, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Ohio Auto Shop Owner and City Prosecutor Indicted for Bribery

A federal grand jury indicted Ohio auto shop owner Nicholas Graham and city prosecutor Brian Votino for a bribery scheme involving free repairs exchanged for reduced criminal charges.

August 28, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

How to Know If Your Mechanic Installed Genuine Parts

Charging for OEM parts and installing cheaper alternatives is one of the most common — and hardest to detect — forms of auto repair fraud. Here's how to protect yourself.

August 25, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

TikTok Mechanic Advice: 90% of It Could Damage Your Car

An Auto Trader study found 67% of popular automotive TikTok content is misleading — and specific categories like cleaning hacks and DIY repair tutorials are even worse.

August 21, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Car Repair Costs Up 25% Since 2022 — Why Your Bills Keep Climbing

The average auto repair visit now runs $838, labor rates have jumped nearly 5% in a single year, and the factors driving costs up aren't going away anytime soon.

August 18, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

How to Winterize Your Car Without Overpaying

Every fall, shops push 'winterization packages' — but most of what they're selling either isn't necessary or is priced way above what it should cost.

August 14, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Northern California Staged Collision Fraud Ring — 7 Indicted

A federal grand jury indicted seven people in a Northern California staged collision ring that deliberately caused crashes and filed false insurance claims — a scheme that costs every driver at the pump.

August 11, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Why Winter Is When Auto Repair Scammers Strike the Hardest

Cold weather creates desperate situations, and scammers know it — here's how they exploit winter breakdowns and what you can do to protect yourself before the temperature drops.

August 7, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

CarShield Refund Checks Are Going Out — Did You Get Scammed Too

The FTC mailed 168,179 refund checks to CarShield customers totaling $9.6 million — if you bought a policy and had claims denied, your check may already be on its way.

August 4, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Predatory Towing Claims Up 89 Percent — How to Protect Yourself After a Crash

The National Insurance Crime Bureau documented an 89% increase in predatory towing claims between 2022 and 2024, with bills running from $2,000 to $14,000 — here's how to protect yourself.

July 31, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

CarShield Hit With $10 Million FTC Settlement for Deceptive Advertising

The FTC ordered CarShield to pay $10 million after finding its ads claiming 'all repairs covered' routinely resulted in denied claims — and the celebrity endorsers had never actually used the product.

July 28, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

What the FTC CARS Rule Means Every Time You Visit a Dealership

The FTC's CARS Rule takes effect July 30, 2024, banning bait-and-switch pricing and requiring dealerships to get your explicit consent for every charge — and it's projected to save consumers $3.4 billion a year.

July 21, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Hybrid vs EV Repair: Which Is More Consumer Friendly?

If you're choosing between a hybrid and a full EV, the repair and maintenance picture looks very different — and it matters more than most buyers realize.

July 17, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

FTC Warns Companies to Stop Warranty Practices That Hurt Your Right to Repair

On July 3, 2024, the FTC sent warning letters to 8 companies using illegal warranty restrictions — and what they found applies directly to car owners too.

July 14, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

When a Computer Diagnoses Your Car: How to Verify You're Not Being Upsold

A diagnostic code tells you something tripped a sensor — it doesn't tell you what part needs replacing, and some shops count on you not knowing the difference.

July 10, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Right to Repair Update: 56 Bipartisan Co-Sponsors and Counting

The REPAIR Act now has 56 bipartisan co-sponsors and over 114,000 petition letters sent to Congress — here's what it would actually change for car owners.

July 7, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Independence Day Driving: Make Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Holiday

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest driving days of the year — here's a quick pre-trip checklist to make sure you're not spending it on the side of the road.

July 3, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Predictive Maintenance: Will AI Help You Avoid Repair Shop Scams?

AI-powered predictive maintenance promises to warn you before things break — but the same data shops use to help you could also be used to upsell you on repairs you don't need yet.

June 30, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Counterfeit Airbags Are Being Installed in Crash-Repaired Cars

A North Carolina man imported 2,500 fake airbags with Honda, GM, and Toyota markings and sold them on Facebook Marketplace — and at least 9 deaths have been linked to counterfeit inflators.

June 26, 2024 ·2 min read

SCAMMER

A Charlotte Family's $2,000 Lesson — The Mobile Mechanic Scam of 'Jonathan & Breanna'

A mother and her college-student daughter say a mechanic couple operating as 'Jonathan' and 'Breanna' took their entire $2,000 savings for a Dodge Charger repair — then went silent, leaving a disassembled car and no key.

June 24, 2024 ·4 min read

ALERT

National Tire Safety Week: Everything You Need to Know About Your Tires

USTMA's National Tire Safety Week runs June 24 through July 3 — here's what every driver should actually know about tire pressure, tread, rotation, and the scams to watch out for.

June 23, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Spot a Fake Car Inspection — Pennsylvania Case Is a Warning

A Pennsylvania case involving 161 fraudulent vehicle inspections at two shops is a reminder that a sticker doesn't mean your car was actually inspected — and the consequences can be deadly.

June 17, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

New York AG Secures Another $350,000 from Long Island Nissan Dealers

Attorney General Letitia James has recovered another $350,000 from Huntington Nissan and Smithtown Nissan, bringing total restitution in the lease buyout overcharging case to over $3.2 million.

June 14, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

The Real Cost of EV Battery Replacement and What to Do About It

EV battery replacement can run $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the vehicle — but most owners don't need one as soon as they think, and there are ways to protect yourself.

June 10, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Why Your Neighborhood Mechanic Might Not Be Able to Fix Your EV

The independent shop that's kept your family's cars running for 20 years may not have the tools, training, or safety certification to touch a battery-electric vehicle.

June 7, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

EVs Break Down 3 Times More Often Than Gas Cars — What Owners Need to Know

J.D. Power's 2024 data shows battery-electric vehicles average 266 problems per 100 vehicles versus 180 for gas cars — and repair costs and warranty claims are following.

June 3, 2024 ·2 min read

ANALYSIS

Road Trip Emergency Kit: What Mechanics Actually Keep in Their Cars

Ask a mechanic what they keep in their own car for emergencies and you'll get a very different list than the one on the back of a drugstore kit.

May 27, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Happy National Road Trip Day — Is Your Car Ready for the Drive?

AAA projects 43.8 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend — 88% by car. Here's how to make sure yours is ready before you leave.

May 23, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Why Auto Repair Is the Number One Consumer Complaint — 9 Years Running

For the ninth consecutive year, auto repair topped the Consumer Federation of America's list of complaints — and the numbers behind it are worse than most people realize.

May 19, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

The Summer Road Trip Prep Checklist That Could Save Your Life

AAA data shows 38.4 million Americans drove over Memorial Day weekend — and a significant number of them broke down because they skipped a pre-trip inspection.

May 15, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Warranty Void If Removed — Why That Sticker on Your Car May Be Illegal

That 'warranty void if serviced elsewhere' warning from your dealer may have no legal force behind it — and the FTC has been sending letters to remind companies of that.

May 12, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

What Your Insurance Company Will Not Tell You About Recommended Body Shops

When your insurer steers you toward their 'preferred' shop, understand why — it isn't because that shop does the best work.

May 8, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How the Inland Empire Fraud Ring Stole $353,000 Using a CHP Insider

Fifteen people were charged after a fraud ring used a CHP employee to access 3,500 crash reports — and turned them into a vehicle-hostage and staged-collision operation.

May 5, 2024 ·2 min read

GUIDE

7 Things a Pre-Purchase Inspection Reveals That a Test Drive Never Will

A test drive tells you how a car feels. A pre-purchase inspection tells you what it's hiding.

May 1, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Telematics: Is Your Car Sharing Data That Is Costing You at the Dealership

Your car may be sending real-time data to the manufacturer — and dealerships can read it before you walk through the door.

April 28, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Minnesota AG Sues Midwest Car Search for Targeting Spanish Speakers

The Fridley dealership sold over 3,000 vehicles as 'certified' when they weren't, and ran a separate Spanish-language operation under a name that was never legally registered.

April 24, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Certified Pre-Owned: What It Really Means and When It Is a Lie

CPO sounds like a guarantee — but the word 'certified' means very different things depending on who's doing the certifying.

April 21, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Fight Back When a Shop Charges You for Work They Did Not Do

Getting billed for repairs that never happened is more common than most drivers realize — here's exactly what to do about it.

April 17, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Wiper Blades, Tires, and Battery: The Spring Trifecta Every Driver Needs

Three things are most likely to fail after a rough winter — and shops know it.

April 14, 2024 ·2 min read

GUIDE

How AI Is Changing Car Diagnostics — And Whether It Helps or Hurts Consumers

AI-powered diagnostic tools are making their way into repair shops — and that is good news, unless a shop uses them to justify work you do not need.

April 10, 2024 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

Dispute Surrounding Local Mechanic Reveals Tumultuous Business Practices — Justin Tyson

Justin Tyson, a mobile mechanic active in the Jacksonville community, faces allegations that he tried to undermine legitimate competitors with unsubstantiated social-media attacks — and that recorded calls reveal a troubling way of doing business.

April 8, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

The 9 Most Common Ways Auto Shops Rip You Off

Most shops are honest. But knowing how dishonest ones operate is the best way to protect yourself when you walk through the door.

April 7, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Your Post-Winter Car Inspection Checklist

Winter leaves behind damage you cannot always see — here is exactly what to check when the weather finally breaks.

April 3, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Extended Warranty Robocalls: Why They Are Still Legal and How to Protect Yourself

Your car's extended warranty has not expired — but the calls telling you it has are not going away anytime soon.

March 28, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Florida Signs Predatory Towing Reform Law — What Every Driver Should Know

Florida's HB 179 gives drivers new protections against predatory towing — and it could become a model for the rest of the country.

March 24, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

The Predatory Towing Pipeline: How Your Car Gets Taken to a Dishonest Shop

Predatory towers and shady repair shops often work together — and by the time you figure it out, your car is already inside their garage.

March 21, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

GAO Report: Independent Shops Are Being Left Behind by New Vehicle Tech

A March 2024 government report found that independent repair shops are losing $3.1 billion a year because automakers restrict access to repair data and tools.

March 17, 2024 ·3 min read

GUIDE

Why There Are Not Enough Mechanics — And Why That Is Costing You Money

The technician shortage is real, it is getting worse, and drivers are already paying for it.

March 14, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

How to Handle an Insurance-Directed Repair Without Getting Short-Changed

Your insurance company does not get to pick who fixes your car — but they will try.

March 10, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

The Check Engine Light Diagnostic Scam a TikTok Mechanic Exposed

Royalty Auto Service went viral explaining exactly how shops exploit check engine light diagnostics — and the logic is simple once you understand it.

March 7, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

New York AG Secures $1.9 Million from Nissan Dealers Who Cheated Customers

AG Letitia James reached a $1.9 million settlement with five New York Nissan dealerships that overcharged more than 1,700 customers — some by $7,000 on an $18,000 vehicle.

March 3, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

How to Find a Trustworthy Repair Shop in an Unfamiliar City

Breaking down or needing a repair away from home puts you at a real disadvantage — here's how to find a shop you can trust when you don't know anyone.

February 29, 2024 ·2 min read

GUIDE

5 Things to Do Before You Sign Any Auto Repair Invoice

The invoice is the final moment where you can catch unauthorized charges, wrong parts, or inflated labor before you're locked in — here's how to use it.

February 25, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

FTC Takes Down Manchester City Nissan for Junk Fees and Deception

The FTC and Connecticut AG sued Manchester City Nissan for charging a $5,295 inspection fee on a $15,700 car and adding thousands in unauthorized add-ons.

February 21, 2024 ·2 min read

ANALYSIS

What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

Breaking down at highway speed is terrifying — here's the step-by-step to stay safe and avoid predatory towing on top of it.

February 18, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

How Staged Car Crashes Are Driving Up Your Insurance Premium

A California staged crash ring was arrested in January 2024 after being caught on home surveillance — and schemes like this cost honest drivers hundreds of dollars a year.

February 14, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

The $100 Inspection That Could Save You $10,000 on a Used Car

A pre-purchase inspection before buying a used car is the single best $100–$200 you'll spend — here's exactly what it covers and why skipping it is a gamble.

February 11, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

5 Things Winter Did to Your Car That You Cannot See

Salt, cold, and freeze-thaw cycles do damage you won't notice until something fails — here's what to check before spring catches you off guard.

February 7, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Why Car Repair Costs Have Jumped 33% in Four Years

Labor rates, heavier vehicles, aluminum panels, ADAS sensors — here's the real breakdown of why your repair bill looks nothing like it did in 2020.

February 4, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

Elder Auto Fraud Is Growing: How to Protect Your Parents and Yourself

Seniors are disproportionately targeted by auto repair scams — here's what to watch for and how to help the people you care about.

January 31, 2024 ·3 min read

GUIDE

The Repairs That Always Require a Professional — No Exceptions

DIY auto repair is a great way to save money — right up until it isn't. Some jobs have no room for error.

January 28, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

California Auto Repair Complaints Up 10.6% — Why the Numbers Keep Rising

California's Bureau of Automotive Repair logged 4,756 complaints in Q4 2023 — up over 10% from the year before — and enforcement is down.

January 25, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

What the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Means for Your Car Repairs

Federal law protects your right to use any shop you want without voiding your warranty — most dealers won't tell you that.

January 21, 2024 ·2 min read

SCAMMER

Mechanic's Advertising Deals Questioned Amid Ethical Concerns — Heather Crownover

Heather Crownover, a mobile mechanic operating as Shorty's Mobile Mechanic Service, faces allegations that she leveraged a personal tragedy to win favorable advertising deals — then defaulted on the agreements she signed.

January 21, 2024 ·3 min read

ALERT

Why Some Mobile Mechanics Use Religious Branding to Build False Trust

Bible verses on the van and a church reference on the website can be legitimate — or they can be deliberate manipulation.

January 18, 2024 ·2 min read

ALERT

How to File a Complaint Against an Auto Repair Shop in Your State

If a shop ripped you off, you have real options — here's the step-by-step on how to fight back.

January 15, 2024 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

What an Itemized Repair Estimate Should Look Like

A proper repair estimate isn't just a total — here's what every line should show before you approve anything.

January 11, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Why 'Family-Owned' Does Not Always Mean Trustworthy — And What Signs Actually Do

Family-owned is a marketing phrase, not a credential — here's what actually signals a shop you can trust.

January 8, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Hidden Fees on Repair Bills: What Is Legitimate and What Is Not

Not every fee on your repair bill is a rip-off — but some absolutely are. Here's how to tell the difference.

January 4, 2024 ·2 min read

GUIDE

New Year, New Mechanic? How to Find a Trustworthy Shop in 2024

A new year is a good excuse to find a mechanic you actually trust — here's how to do it right.

January 1, 2024 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

The REPAIR Act: Why Congress Is Fighting for Your Right to Choose Your Mechanic

H.R. 906, the REPAIR Act, would require automakers to share diagnostic tools and data with independent shops — and 28 state attorneys general are backing it.

December 28, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Texas Classic Car Shop Owner Raided: 72 Victims and $498K Stolen

Richard Thomas Finley of Classic American Street Rods in San Leon, TX took deposits for engine swaps that were never completed, then stripped customers' cars and sold the parts.

December 25, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

How Scammers Target Women at Auto Repair Shops — And How to Push Back

Condescending explanations, inflated estimates, and manufactured urgency — these tactics disproportionately target women at auto repair shops, and knowing them is your best defense.

December 21, 2023 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

What Road Salt Does to Your Undercarriage and How to Fight It

Road salt keeps winter roads safe, but it's quietly working on your car's undercarriage all season long — here's what's actually at risk and what you can do about it.

December 17, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

AAA Study: Safety Features Are Adding 37% to Your Repair Bills

A December 2023 AAA study found that advanced driver assistance systems can add up to 37.6% to collision repair costs — which makes choosing the right shop more important than ever.

December 14, 2023 ·2 min read

GUIDE

Cold Weather and Your Car Battery: What Every Driver Needs to Know

Cold weather doesn't kill batteries — it exposes ones that were already dying. Here's how to tell what you're dealing with before you get stranded.

December 10, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Licensed vs. Unlicensed Mobile Mechanics: What the Law Says in Your State

Mobile mechanics are convenient and often cheaper — but licensing requirements vary by state, and working with an unlicensed operator can leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong.

December 7, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

The Driveway Repair Scam: How Seniors Are Being Targeted in California

Two suspects in Lincoln, CA were arrested for elder abuse after approaching an elderly couple, spray-painting their car, and pressuring them into a $23,000 cash withdrawal.

December 3, 2023 ·2 min read

GUIDE

When to Get a Second Opinion on a Car Repair — And How to Do It

A second opinion can save you hundreds — knowing when to get one and how to ask for it without awkwardness is a skill worth having.

November 30, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

NBC Bay Area Exposes Auto Repair Loophole: Less Than 3% of Complaints Get Action

An NBC investigation found that fewer than 3% of consumer complaints about auto repair fraud led to any enforcement action — here's what that means for drivers.

November 26, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Can a Repair Shop Keep Your Car Until You Pay? What the Law Says

Yes, in most states a shop can legally hold your car over an unpaid bill. But the right to hold your car is not unlimited — and neither is yours.

November 23, 2023 ·3 min read

GUIDE

How to Use Google Reviews to Actually Evaluate a Mechanic

Star ratings alone tell you almost nothing. Here's how to read Google reviews like someone who actually knows what they're looking for.

November 19, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Why You Should Never Pay a Mobile Mechanic in Full Before Work Starts

Paying in full before the job is done removes every piece of leverage you have. Here's what a fair payment structure actually looks like.

November 15, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

How California's New Auto Repair Rules Are Protecting Car Owners

California's Bureau of Automotive Repair rolled out new consumer protection rules in July 2023 — stricter estimates, towing authorization, and real fines for violations.

November 12, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Maine Voters Pass Right to Repair With 84% Approval — What It Means

Maine just passed one of the strongest right-to-repair laws in the country. Here's what it does and why it matters for independent mechanics and car owners.

November 8, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Preparing for Holiday Road Trips: The Mechanic's Pre-Trip Checklist

Before you load up the car and hit the highway this holiday season, run through this checklist — it could save your trip, and maybe more than that.

November 5, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

What to Do If a Mobile Mechanic Takes Your Money and Disappears

You paid, they left, and now they won't answer. Here's exactly what to do next — step by step.

November 1, 2023 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

The Bait-and-Switch Estimate: How Shops Quote Low and Charge High

A shop quotes you $300 over the phone, then hands you a $900 bill when you come to pick up. Here's how the bait-and-switch works — and what you can do about it.

October 29, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Pennsylvania Auto Shops Caught in 161 Fake Vehicle Inspection Probe

Two Pennsylvania mechanics face hundreds of charges after signing off on safety inspections that were never actually performed — leaving dangerous cars on public roads.

October 25, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

Red Flags When Booking a Mobile Mechanic on Facebook or Craigslist

Before you hand over your keys or your cash, here's how to spot a scammer posing as a mobile mechanic on Facebook or Craigslist.

October 22, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

New York Auto Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to $1.3 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

A Maspeth, NY auto shop owner cashed $1.3 million in business checks through check-cashing businesses to hide income — and spent it on luxury cars and a $500,000 home renovation.

October 18, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

How Mechanics Swap Cheap Parts While Charging for Premium — And How to Catch It

The parts-swap scam is one of the most common forms of auto repair fraud — you're billed for OEM or premium parts and get cheap aftermarket instead. Here's how to catch it.

October 15, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Arizona Mechanic Indicted for $1.4 Million Wire Fraud Across State Lines

An Arizona mechanic accepted large payments from customers across multiple states for work he never delivered — and impersonated a Toyota dealership GM to cover his tracks.

October 11, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Harris County Fake Mechanic Steals $40,000 in Vehicles and Cash

A Harris County man took cars and cash from multiple victims, disappeared with the money, and was eventually arrested on felony theft after one victim tracked down their sold vehicle.

October 8, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Fall Car Care Month: Your Complete Pre-Winter Checklist

October is Fall Car Care Month — the ideal time to run through the checks that can save you from a breakdown when temperatures drop and roads get slippery.

October 4, 2023 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Happy National Name Your Car Day — And Why Your Car Deserves a Good Mechanic

October 2 is National Name Your Car Day — and if you've already named yours, you probably care about keeping it running well. Here's how to find a mechanic worthy of the trust.

October 1, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Your Legal Rights When an Auto Repair Shop Overcharges You

Most states give you specific legal protections when dealing with auto repair shops — here's what you're entitled to and what to do if a shop ignores those rights.

September 28, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

FTC Shuts Down Extended Auto Warranty Scam: $6 Million in Consumer Losses

The FTC took action against a company that cold-called millions of people, lied about manufacturer affiliations, and sold worthless extended warranties for up to $3,400.

September 24, 2023 ·3 min read

GUIDE

What Is ASE Certification and How to Verify It in 60 Seconds

ASE certification is the closest thing auto repair has to a professional standard — here's what it means and how to check if your mechanic actually has it.

September 21, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

Why Auto Repair Is America's #1 Consumer Complaint — 7 Years Running

Auto repair has topped America's consumer complaint list for seven straight years — here's what the data says and what you can do about it.

September 17, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

The Phantom Repair Scam: Paying for Work That Was Never Done

One of the most common forms of auto repair fraud involves charging for work that was never actually performed — and most people never find out it happened.

September 14, 2023 ·3 min read

GUIDE

How to Vet a Mobile Mechanic Before You Hand Over Your Keys

A mobile mechanic can save you time and money — but only if they're actually who they say they are. Here's how to check.

September 10, 2023 ·3 min read

SCAMMER

Derick Martin: The Faith-Based Mobile Mechanic Scam That Crossed State Lines

A mobile mechanic used Bible verses and religious branding to steal thousands from customers in Oklahoma City and Houston — then disappeared, changed his business name, and did it again.

September 7, 2023 ·12 min read

GUIDE

Red Flags Before You Even Drop Off Your Car at a Shop

You can learn a lot about a repair shop before you hand over your keys — if you know what to look for.

September 3, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

National Traffic Awareness Month: What It Means for Your Vehicle

August is National Traffic Awareness Month — a good reminder that road safety starts with the vehicle under you, not just the driver behind the wheel.

August 31, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

California Insurance Fraud Ring Busted: 23 Charged in Staged Accident Scheme

A Santa Clara County fraud ring used staged accidents and fake injuries to file $174,000 in fraudulent insurance claims — and 23 people are now facing charges.

August 28, 2023 ·2 min read

GUIDE

Is a Mobile Mechanic Right for You? A Practical Checklist

Mobile mechanics can save you serious time and money — but they're not the right fit for every job or every situation.

August 24, 2023 ·3 min read

GUIDE

How to Read an Auto Repair Estimate and Spot the Red Flags

A written estimate tells you a lot more than just the price — if you know what to look for.

August 21, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

Texas Operation Cinderblock: 1.5 Million Fake Vehicle Inspections Exposed

Texas DPS uncovered one of the largest vehicle inspection fraud schemes in history — 49 arrests, 1.5 million fraudulent inspections, and two state employees on the take.

August 18, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

New Report: 35% of Car Owners Have Been Scammed by a Mechanic

A new survey reveals that more than 1 in 3 car owners have been ripped off by a mechanic — and the average loss is almost $1,000.

August 15, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

The Auto Repair Industry: Where the Customer's Voice is Lost Amidst the Noise

The auto repair industry requires restructuring and oversight to restore and maintain the confidence of consumers.

August 11, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Building Trust in Automotive Repair

Through rigorous standards, continuous training, and a relentless pursuit of transparency, the OEM is redefining what it means to be an ethical mechanic.

August 1, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

Beware of Auto Repair Scams: A Guide to Navigate Auto Repair Fraud

The Federal Trade Commission has consistently listed auto repair complaints in the top ten consumer grievances. Here's how to protect yourself.

July 24, 2023 ·2 min read

ALERT

Seven Red Flags to Watch Out for When Dealing with Mobile Mechanics and Auto Repair Shops

Not all mechanics operate with integrity. These seven red flags — backed by real fraud cases — will help you spot a scam before you hand over your money.

July 19, 2023 ·14 min read

ARTICLE

10 Questions to Ask Your Auto Mechanic to Avoid Scams

Equip yourself with the right questions to ask, ensuring you avoid falling victim to unscrupulous practices.

July 17, 2023 ·3 min read

ALERT

How to Spot Auto Repair Scams: Protect Yourself and Your Wallet

These scams can not only leave you with unnecessary expenses but also compromise your safety on the road. Here are key indicators to watch for.

July 12, 2023 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

The Importance of Choosing a Certified and Insured Auto Repair Mechanic

When it comes to the maintenance and repair of our vehicles, we often place our trust in the hands of auto repair mechanics. Here's why certification and insurance matter.

July 12, 2023 ·2 min read

ARTICLE

Why Ethical Auto Repair Is Important

Ethical practices ensure the well-being of both consumers and the environment, fostering trust, sustainability, and long-term benefits for all stakeholders.

July 11, 2023 ·3 min read

ARTICLE

Welcome to The Organization for Ethical Mechanics

The auto repair industry has a trust problem — from traditional shops to mobile mechanics. We're here to fix it.

July 9, 2023 ·5 min read