Car dealership ripoff: Hidden-camera investigation
Car dealership hidden-camera investigation reveals how service centres upsell you on unnecessary work.
To read more: cbc.ca/1.4300557
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Find CBC News on Facebook: bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Twitter: bit.ly/1sA5P9H
For breaking news on Twitter: bit.ly/1WjDyks
Follow CBC News on Instagram: bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Download the CBC News app for iOS: apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.
The only way to find an honest mechanic is to become one.
Jerome Jerry Jay unfortunately with most new cars they are driving computer’s that are nearly impossible for you to work on yourself. Gone are the days where you could change your own oil in 10 minutes lol
Chris Tesch actually it’s not hard at all. Because everything is computerized there’s a lot less tuning adjusting or repairing of parts. You just replace the part with a few bolts and a harness clip usually.
Honest mechanics are paid less than 80k a year. If they're paid more, they're doing a hack job
So true
Buy the whole company do it ur self get profit
"Your tires are low on air, which means you need an new transmission"
Ha ha ha ha😆
Well technically if you drive like that enough it can damage your transmission
Seems legit
@@MrInternFTL haha I think we found him.
@david mullen It can as it increase rolling resistance on both entire drive train. From the transmission and clutch to the engine. Due to this over a very long time, it can cause undue wear on transmission gear teeth. But before that, you increase gas mileage and make the ride unsafe and a lot rougher. And if the transmission is already on it's last leg a low tyre pressure can push it over. But in normal use, the increased wear will take longer than the used lifetime of the car.
Having worked for a couple of dealerships in the 80s, I can fully attest that this has been going on for decades. I ended up owning my own shops and I was crazy busy with work just by giving customers the truth and fixing their car the right way and not take short cuts.
I need help getting my van fixed up like the ball joints but can't afford it
After working at a great independent shop for 10 years (‘95-06) the owner went to a ‘seminar’ and started implementing this systematic upselling scheme… I was done, cause I knew about how Dealerships made bank on unnecessary work all the time, and I wasn’t going to be a party to that grift
"Spark plugs basically is the brain of the vehicle" I almost fell off my chair laughing.
Not the ECU, spark plugs
😂 sparky 🧠💥
My diesel vehicles are brainless machines. 😡@@lateral1385
The Synapse perhaps?
for reels, I am a DiY truck owner that has wrenched here and there and I am no means a certified expert but even I had to do a double take and squint when I heard that lol!
And this is why we have Chris Fix, Eric the Car Guy, and Scotty
@@dylan-nguyen yup
BCMGunfighters1972 haha yes
Chris fix ❤️
What about the Car Wizard?
[Cool]
Been a mechanic for 6 years. Left the dealership because the only way we made money was ripping people off. I couldn’t make money because I was honest about what vehicles need. Now I work for a shop with my city doing fleet vehicles. I can now focus on upkeep and maintenance and safety, not my pocketbook
service Manager in your head " OMG Don't let them leave YET
Were you commission or flat rate?
Good man.
Fleet? 18 wheelers?
I’m a dealership tech and I strongly believe in only selling what’s required and being honest. I Make decent money without ripping people off. 🤷🏽♂️
for 18 years the best advice I ever gave my customers was to sit IN THE CAR and read through the entire owner's manual. And had parents bring over their new teen drivers and make them change a tire and check their own fluids under my supervision. You have to be an informed consumer!
its incredibly stressful to know how many people have never looked at the owner’s manual
Do not EVER take your car to a dealership for anything other than complimentary services, recalls, or warranty work. They create problems that don't exist and they charge you triple what you could get it done for anywhere else.
You’re right. The only time I go to a dealership is when my car has a recall.
I won't even take my Ford in for its airbag recall. Steering wheel airbag replacement was a piece of cake to me, but I'm not letting anybody from a dealership touch any of my cars.
Private mechanics are even worse.
@@vandidandi Where I live there is one shop where 90% of the people take their cars because he won't fix anything that doesn't need fixing, the prices are reasonable and the work is top notch! An honest mechanic will always have plenty of work.
@@djparsons7363 They are really hard to find one.
Over 20 years as an auto tech and I have to say that there is so much honest work out there that there is no reason to rip people off. I always tried to treat my customers like I would want a shop to treat my mom.
And customers have deep appreciation (at least I know I do) for honest, helpful, and skilled auto mechanics. There is quite the knowledge/skill imbalance and thus a fiduciary duty on the part of the mechanic/salesperson and when a customer knows that duty is being taken seriously, it is quite a relief. It's like having someone in your corner, on your team in life. Besides, people spend so much time in their vehicles nowadays it is peace of mind to know your car/truck is taken care of by someone who has YOUR interest at heart. With all that said, I too don't know why people rip others off.
people don't do that anymore. I'm sorry to tell you pops. I'm right there with you though...
I always (tried) to treat my customers like I would want to be treated? 🤔😄😄 How about you just do it instead of trying.
@@bingo8789 I bet you would have been a great customer. 🙄
I was a mechanic for a lot of years as well. I worked at a small independent shop and I respected the hell out of my boss because he was honest and even tried to help people in their time of need. But yeah I worked with the same ideology as you treat them as I would want my mom to be treated
That man a savage “they didn’t want to chat with us on camera, let’s go inside and ask”😂😂😂
Giles Medearis lmao I died!!! I don't know if a lot of people picked it up though
Giles Medearis Looks to me like the Managers of both the Honda dealership and the Chrysler dealership are cowards and that’s why they told them to GTFO. 😂
Master Jim 2020 Also, the moment when there’s a journalistic investigation. The person of interest always chickens out since they know they would be immediately exposed once a breath is lifted.
Kevin Dao It’s like how suspects don’t own up to their problems that they have created and are being arrested and charged for. Chrysler needs better workers in general anyways. I’m an American and I can tell that most of their products don’t really hold up like Toyota’s and Honda’s. Not to mention, this type of behavior from the dealership itself should not be tolerated.
Master Jim 2020 Well, I am an American. However, I do remember one Jeep enthusiast said to me “only buy American cars if you want durability”. Still, these are how dealerships can mainly make their money. It’s a really high profit margin. Meanwhile Tesla doesn’t like this model.
Car dealerships need to be held accountable for this. This video should be enough for the legal system to take care of this.
lol, when has the legal system really been helpful to civilians? Let's speak to reality.
Laws are only for the poor/middle class.
Why aren't these places being prosecuted for theft and fraud?
RULE OF THUMB: If they ask you to leave as soon as they see a camera, they're crooks.
I'm not saying these people AREN'T crooks, but some people just don't like being filmed. If someone I've never met came into my workplace with a camera, I'd definitely ask them to turn off the cameras or leave.
Correct if someone brings camera and your not crooked then hey free advertisment . if your a crook of course gonna not like camera
Well said copy and paste it everywhere and share it with friends and family!!!
Ryan Snider I’d let somebody record me at my place of business I wouldn’t care so much if someone recorded me and my employees because I’d install video cameras on the building where I work/worked especially if I owned the building and it was my place
@@chanseormon- Allowing yourself to be photographed is one thing. Allowing employees and customers to be photographed is quite another.
This is why ppl should find a privately owned garage that is more focused on quality and honesty. I grew up in my grandfather's garage, for 40yrs he worked 6 days a week on customer's cars. He wasn't a wealthy man but he made a decent living. He stressed quality and honesty above all else. When he passed there were over 300 ppl at his funeral, most had to wait outside but all paid their respects. You don't get that level of respect and admiration by "upselling" and trying to line your pockets, you get it by helping ppl and being an honest person and providing quality work.
John Doe Decent is a matter of perspective. Open a book please.
you've never talked like that to a persons face, because if you did, you'd be missing a couple of teeth by now
Wow, John Doe is a tool. Maybe Bob Falfa's grandfather worked 6 days a week because he wasn't ripping his customers off at every turn. My uncle still owns a shop in Sikeston MO and only recently backed off working 6 days a week. He too made a comfortable living, but not so much he could live like royalty. Plus, he paid the guys who worked in his shop a very competitive wage with holidays off. I have seen my uncle let strangers, travelers on I-55, pay out their bills over time. Most of the time he was paid in full. Very rarely did he ever get 'no pays'. He recognized that working class people usually don't have $1000.00 sitting around for an auto repair.
scottieray We use to do the same thing all the time, he hated to see a man who was just trying to support his family, a single mother or elderly people go without a vehicle to get around. People don't do that anymore, they only care about themselves and how quick they can make a buck.
My condolences bro. Your grandfather sounds like a great man, and still is. I can tell you have learned some things on life from him, keep it going
As an automotive technician the problem goes all the way down to the mechanics ourselves being pressured to recommend additional services. The whole industry need to be fixed.
i can believe that. I watch "problems" magically appear and disappear from the inspection reports. I keep all the recipes and inspection reports.
That’s why I’m glad I got out of automotive mechanics where we had to upsell services to make a paycheck, I’m glad I’m a fleet service mechanic now
I caught Ford trying to rip me off 2 times in 1 day trying to get me to sign to bogus deals when leasing a truck, the numbers didnt match nor did the math so I caught the mistakes 2 times and made them correct them, I will never buy a ford again nor ever do buisness with that dealership, I went to 3 ford dealerships and 1 out of the 3 told me that the other one was trying to rip me off. Ive concluded the human species is a greedy species. Not just the auto industry, its doctors, lawyers and churches, construction of all trades, its a world of vampires!!!! A smart man gets multiple bids and researches things online. Just yesterday a man wanted to charge me 56,000 dollars for solar panels to give me payments of 186 dollars a month for 25yrs he said.
I watched from a different country, my car were always serviced by a dealership without much problem for 9 year/110k km. and still driving fantastic today, some upsell maybe, like a premium engine oil or something but not to this extents. Nothing critical are upselled, ever. I agree it depends on the rules, regulations on each country' industry. Everything seems to runs on money and profits regards of ethics over there. It's revolting just to watch. edit: maybe the reason is that the commission rate are lower over here, I don't know how much lower. But an engineer over here already has a good enough salary to not worry about trying to upsell.
So is this all mechanic shops or mostly places like Midas, NBT... Like the oil changing shops that do a little bit of maintenance or is this all mechanic shops
Lmfao "the sparkplugs the brain of the vehicle." I'd have walked out right then and there 😂
You think they are ripping you off? The medical industry makes the mechanics look like choir boys.
@Upstate SC Dashcam Here is a fact. In the 60s, most people did not even need medical insurance. Back then my sister fell and broke her arm and collar bone. Our family doctor set the bone, applied a cast and she was home a couple of hours later with a total bill of $58, climbing trees in three months and never had another problem with it. Fast forward to today and that broken arm is turned into a massive surgery with screws, pins and a lifetime of misery and thousands of dollars cost. From then on, the bones, muscles and tendons never quite articulate with each other. I have worked with thousands of people with similar experiences. Every single modern intervention leads to future interventions and future miseries, including metal poisoning.
I went to the hospital for a dislocated knee and they didnt set my knee i did on the bed in my room i received no pain meds and didnt see the docter but the bill was 6000 dollar's and they charged 500 for pain meds which i didnt get 3000 for the doctors visit who i never saw and 1000 for the actual reset of my knee and i did it not them
You are on point.
@@johnstrand2247 Um, for one, you cannot compare one broken bone/surgery to another... the human body is a bit more complicated than that. You're a completely different person with different conditions and genetic makeup. You may just be more unfortunate than the person who didn't have the same complications. Not say that is the only factor but it IS a big factor you need to consider. I have a lung condition and I've never smoked anything in my life. Some people can live 120+ years while smoking every day and be fine. We are all leagues different from one another. So looking at one person who only needed a cast and comparing it to your situation doesn't make a lot of sense.
@@stevensharpe1419 People are given pain meds/opioids all the time which is actually a problem today, so you seem to have had the opposite issue there. As for pricing, you could actually call the billing office and usually get prices down a lot. Something a lot of people don't realize and just pay without thinking.
"This is private property, please leave" = "We're up to some shady practices and don't want to tell you about them on camera"
i once took my old car ( 210k miles) for a recall on airbags and after they fixed the issue they told me i need all these repairs and it would cost over 1,400.00. Of course my car being old i wasn't going to spend that kind of money , so i took it to my private mechanic fixed the same exact issue for 700.00.
I was told that camshafts were a maintenance item and should be replaced every 60,000 miles by my local Chrysler dealership. Best thing to do is research and know a little about cars before you visit a stealership.
my mechanic is an old guy near my house that has a small shop, his prices are so cheap, i always end up tipping him because he's an honest guy
I take mine to an old local guy too He's always been honest I would never take my car to one of these big places
@peter david man i miss my old mechanic now😢 the old man use to put in work! I moved out of town sadly smh
This is why you make connections in society
Say elderly. Saying old is rude. :(
The dream
"Spark Plugs are like the brain of the car." I about died laughing.
That was funny - I laughed myself
Eulogy 😀
Same here but when I actually sat back and thought about it I guess spark plugs creating sparks (with the aid of coils) could be partially equated to the electrical synaptic impulses in the brain.... so not 100% wrong .... LOL. But I'm sure that's not what she was thinking.
gmctech the spark is just the electrical current in nerve system to trigger the muscles to contract. Not connecting synapses... So, I think she is wrong, 100%. Lol. BUT I am sure I am getting rip off for couple time as well. Because something I am not able to keep track of...
gmctech the brain of a car is the ECU
Even in the US we have this problem. I went into a dealership in Maine once and they acted like my newer car was going to fall apart as soon as I drove it off the lot. It only needed an oil change from the Carfax reports...went to a different mechanic and they said the car was fine just needed the oil change. Some of those "service techs" at dealers are downright bullies.
It wasn't a Chevy dealership in Skowhegan was it
*especially in the US
Best way to figure out if your mechanic is on the level, is to request something unnecessary and see if they try to talk you out of it.
Makes sense idk 😐
“Spark plug is basically the brain of the vehicle” Oh, okay i guess the ECU is basically what ignites the fuel.
Yeah that one line really got to me lmao
Doesn’t even know what he’s talking about lmao
Actually, for most modern cars.....it is. Coil control for spark initiation and duration often is done by the main engine module. Just so ya know.
@@reubenj.cogburn8546 yeah in actuality it is basically the Computer but i meant the actual “physical card” itself making the ignition.
The ECU: "Am I a joke to you?"
While your car is under warranty there’s usually never an issue with it going to its dealership. But once that warranty ends ya gotta find a reputable independent technician.
@@user-ie4kp7ni9d most people already go to work, they don't want to learn a second career just to get their car fixed
@@user-ie4kp7ni9d now I'm lucky, I grew up helping my dad with car and bike maintenance. But not everyone has the time or will to learn how, get access to the tools needed, have the space to do it by yourself. So give credit to people who don't do it themselves
@@dill6688 Nicely said .. I never was brought up learning DIY because of those problems you listed but once I 'create the space' for projects then I can expand and learn more about the hobby/components. I drove a v6 Challenger for the last 10 years and never performed any maintenance myself and hardly read the owner's manual for routine inspection. Some asswipe just pulled in front of me and wrecked my car the other day but i'm going to upgrade into a v8 Challenger and do it right and learn every component and DIY I can (starting now).
@@dill6688 The average person can do it in 30min to 1 hour Never more than that. As a former mechanic those who are just learning will get it done within an hour those who know their stuff can get the oil drained in little under 5 minutes and then changed and completed within 15
@@BTheBullTurbo wow nobody has ever spent over an hour doing and oil and filter change? I've seen regular people spend 15-20 minutes jacking up and securing the car.
“Everything except for a safety” (They don’t warn her of the airbags) “Airbags are the biggest *safety* issue”
We were going on a long trip so, as an engineer I knew my car's mechanics well and it was in top condition. I took it to the dealership for a general checkup and, after rejecting 95% of an unnecessary maintenance list they had me sign a liability waiver if I wanted my car released
Funny
What a pathetic scare tactic. Glad you didn’t fall for it.
Sounds like extortion to me!
Makes you wonder why the government doesn’t give a damn and do sting operations like this video.
Because, they'll negate your warranty by saying you didn't perform the routine maintenance recommended.
SpArK pLuGs ArE tHe BrAiN oF tHe VeHiClE. ECU: Am I a joke to you?
John C I bursted out laughing when she said that
That sounds like a probing question. What I mean is that if you accept that as fact then she can get you to buy a lot of stuff you don't need because you clearly don't understand cars beyond it's basic operation.
I’m rolling clinging my stomach for laughing to hard at this 😂
@@alannaherickson7594 I always thought that little black box was the brain lol
Nice profile pic man
This is shocking for me to watch.. A few months back, my dad took his car to a local garage to get new brakes because he felt that they were due for a replacement. An hour after he dropped it off, he was able to pick it up again, and the mechanic informed him, that the brakes had not been changed, as they had a lot of life left in them. He didn't even have to pay for the time it took the mechanic to inspect the brakes. That is how you create trust.
I need to take my car there.
wow great for you guys... its hard finding GOOD/TRUST worthy shops
I need such a garage :(
Nice to find a honest mechanic...why not tell us his name and address so more people can contact him..
name and shame or name and complement we need to do more of both
Worst of all recommending extras is they don't replace these parts because they are OK in the first place win win
Had the same thing happen to me. Inspection indicated I needed nearly $2,000 worth of repairs. Took it to my mechanic and he said I only needed about $150 in repairs.
Was your car new or out of warranty
@@user-vh2pk6bd3g no warranty.
"Spark plugs are the brains of your vehicle" is an even better pitch than trying to sell blinker fluid. I going to steal this line :D
Worst part is I cant stop laughing wah! That is just too much
wth does that even mean 😂
The ECU is like the gallbladder of the car.
no a computer and or a pcm lol
I'm a vehicle technician and I'm happy that I don't have to fabricate lies to upsell a customer on things they don't need. Vehicles come into the shop and our goal is to do the least amount of repairs to make that vehicle serviceable again. If it's not broken don't fix it plain and simple.
I'm actually surprised at the amount of local shops in my area that take pride in their work.
Chris Liu I'm not in the line of fixing civilian vehicles. I fix vehicles in the Canadian Armed Forces. I gain nothing by throwing parts at a vehicle that doesn't need it. I get paid the same whether I do something or I do nothing.
I just read 3 lines of ad!
I'm assuming you guys don't get paid commission?
ayy lmao -you'd be correct. I make salary.
That one woman who kept pushing at the dealership knows nothing at all about cars, wow
This is why it's important to find, and get a good relationship going with, a local family run mechanic shop.
So many young adults are seeing this and starting their young lives. These dealerships are gonna have screwed themselves by 2030
that's why you wait 1-2 years after a new car comes out; most, if not all of the issues the early birds experience will have been wrinkled out by then. Buy second hand in cash so you don't have to pay off a loan (can buy brand new with cash but still more expensive than a year-old used car, but at least you know the vehicle's history with a brand new vehicle), and if there's no warranty then you can do all your own work with a bit of googling + a garage with tools. A bit of a challenge if you live in an apartment though, especially one that forbids working on one's car in there.
@@slin0053 that has nothing to do with Dealerships ripping people off. Dealership service depts. dont care if you bought new or used thaey will try and steal from you either way
Na. They buy iphones.. the market has never been better for shady practices like these.
You should do your own research, but understand a lot of cars are designed to fail, not to last. Direct injection engines without Air Oil Separators, meaning huge carbon deposits on intake values that will eventually jam is another issue. People just run their cars until stuff breaks, but fail to understand, that one part breaking can often create a chin reaction of failures that are more expensive. Water pumps are $100, the fluid in my case is about $70, why would I not replace these at 60k and wait the 137k Subaru says, when the consensus in the car community is 60 to 90k. One less common failure that could total my car (6k-10k for the engine and 6-10k for the transmission). Just be proactive and say ahead of common failure points. Research your own car, and learn it's design issues.
@@heyaisdabomb yeah, you said it! learn your car. *i have a 20 civic si. I know the years before had oil dilution issues that were fixed by mine, but still keep an eye on it. weak clutch, heavy flywheel, thin chipable paint. the black strips between the front and rear doors is susceptible to bubbling from suns reflection on it through the side mirrors. odd thing to know...but still good info to have. just about every car model will have a forum or facebook group to learn more about your vehicle. Even learning the modifications available and how people have modded their cars can help you understand other issues that may arise. (like certain error codes or common fuel trim issues as a result of trying to use a blow off valve when your car shouldnt use one. )
One of the great mysteries of life...how to find an honest mechanic
Bdmill Francisco Oh I know this one!.... He owns a youtube channel by the name of South Main Auto Repair! Did I do good?
Scotty Kilmer
They are all over... but there are rotten ones too. Usually big company corporate mechanics are thieves. The little guy who rely on word of mouth are usually honest.
Just go to a Latino mechanic
chrisfix
Thank you CBC NEWS, I've watched so many of these videos on warning consumers.
dude pulled a scion owners manual out of a dodge nitro... you would think cbc wouldnt be so smooth brain about this
The dislikes were from the car dealerships
Z0UD also taxpayers who’s money went towards an old Honda Civic lmao
@@FuriousYTGTGrowtopia lol
No, normal guy. Most folks dont drive under the "Normal" driving conditions. Most folks drive less then 10 miles and that is considered "severe" duty. Read the fine print. If you are driving 35 miles to work each day then maybe Normal is ok. 6000 mile oil changes are a joke.
Stealerships
Of course who else! Lol
I had a job interview with a dealership, I told them I was honest and put the customer first. Then the interview ended.
Jordan Lorenz lmao
He didn't need THAT job.
That probably didn’t happen lol
Anyone who’s ever worked in sales or service knows that google, Facebook and yelp reviews are everything. You don’t get all of your money with bad CSI.
Jordan Lorenz I am calling "BS" on that story of yours... even though it was funny :P
15:53 "spark plugs are the brain of the vehicle" ECU: am I a joke to you?
Something to note about the factory recommended maintenance, this maintenance schedule is designed to keep your car running for the warranty period. Once that warranty is up they really don't care what happens to your car they'd rather you buy a new one. Some things like transmission fluids, differentials, and even the frequency of oil changes in spark plugs I do more often than the service manual requires just because I want my car to last longer than the hundred thousand mile warranty.
One thing about the recommended oil change in those books is that most newer oils (with the exception of fram) can last 10k+ miles or one year. Heck my 2000 Oldsmobile bravada it's recommended in the manual for a year.
@@ProCarsGaming556 yeah, my 17 RAV4 is one of those 10k or one year vehicles. I change it at 5k or 6 months. That oil goes from dang near clear to the same color that is left inside engines that varnish from lack of oil changes. I use mobile 1 0w20. It's not the oil. Oil is cheap, an engine is not. VVT engines need good oil to perform properly, and just a little sludge can clog passages to cam phasers and then your in for an expensive treat. I owned a pre owned 3v triton once., I'm a bit gun shy after that one.
@@oliver_klozoff I mean yeah I do the same because my car has 200k+ miles. I'm just saying vehicles typically can go longer times than even the manufacturer says.
@@ProCarsGaming556 oh I'm not debating that, most vehicles will go much longer than the manufacturer States. My point was that the manufacturers recommendations are generally just to get them to last beyond their warranty period and then they don't care how long they last. As long as they don't have to fit the bill for repairs they could care less.
@@ProCarsGaming556 dish soap will last 6 months also but who would want to wash their dishes in 6 month old dish soap. Just because an oil will hold it's viscosity for 10k miles why would you?
If I started my own repair shop, I’d name it “We Never Upsell”. Every customer would be welcome to watch all service done in real time. Donuts and Xbox in the lobby.
My kinda shop, except we don’t play xbox around here 😕
I'm coming to you.
And you would be without profit lol
@@eb3872 fax upsells aren’t always reasonable but it’s how car shops stay in business
lol
Service Advisor: "Spark plugs is the brain of the vehicle" Spark Plugs: *Literally one of the simplest components in a car*
@Karma333 Queen yeah, but it doesn't "think" at all. That's what they said. Which isn't true. We have brain boxes for that.
*Subaru has entered the chat*
i think she needs a brain.
That woman is literally dumber than Joe Biden 🤣
@Karma333 Queen i think you need to understand how cars work lmao, the ecu is the “brain of the car” , the spark plugs don’t think they just do as they r told
"Peace of mind inspection" .. That's the most ludicrous statement I've ever heard from a service center :D
I thought that was clever
I've lived and worked on cars in the UK since the mid 80's. Not in any dealership,but in garages. The pressure from head office is unbelievable,it really is. I refuse to rip people off. My bosses are constantly telling me, sales sales sales,but I will only do what needs doing. I've built up a trust with customers over the last 40 years of being honest.
I haven't replaced my sparkplugs in like 5 years. I'm scared my car might have brain damage 😫.
Cerveza Torres Does it feel like power loss? Have you lost gas mileage? If not, don’t worry about it.
Change it, usually pretty easy.
@@daytonasayswhat9333 I had no power or fuel economy issues, but there was plenty of engine knock which was ignored as a non-issue by multiple "car guys" and several mechanics I asked about it, which went away as a result of fitting the correct spark plugs and adjusting the ignition timing.
My Odyssey has had original spark plugs. Recently changed them with a timing belt change a couple of months ago.
😂😂😂
Thats why we need more Auto Shops in High Schools, young gens learn the basics and save hundred. stuff schools should really teach
They did when I graduated , from High School in 1966. They called them Vocational Schools, they were situated on the school grounds. They offered barber, mechanic, welding, beautician, masonry, home economics. When you finished High School, you had a trade.
@@barbram8001 that sounds amazing
They stopped all that luckily I had my dad n youtube also shows u almost anything
@@barbram8001 They have that in my school, its called Auto Tech Consortium
The backyard mechanic is a thing of the past
this is why i do everything myself unless it’s something major or when it’s something out of my experience
My mother took her car into the dealership where she bought new 5 years previous. She had a slight knock noise and they said she needed a new motor, it was going to cost her over 5k. She was upset being in her 70's and broke like most of us. I told her never to take the car back to them and told her the noise is nothing to worry about, it was only a lose valve lifter. This was about 5 years ago and the car's motor is still fine.
Is that around the time car companies switched from solid to hydraulic lifters, because you had to get them adjusted all the time
If the dealership is found guilty, they would be fined, but all the customers who were ripped off don't get a dime. Not right
Obviously if they can prove they were ripped off they would get plenty of dimes...
But let me scam someone. I'm gone.
we ll someone has to pay for the socialists countries auto whatever position, and those "someones" are you fools who live in canada.
oh no you dont get money back for work done to your car what a rip off
" They know the car best". No, they know your wallet best.
I agree.
ok
They do both
🤣🤣🤣🤣
When I was working out of state, I had a dealership do a brake job. I asked if they would put on ceramic pads (this was when they were a new item). The service manager told me they ONLY use the maker's original parts, so no they couldn't. When I got home a few month later I had the car inspected, my mechanic asked me why they used the cheap parts store pads.
I worked most of my career performing service on both residential and industrial equipment. The one problem with reports like this is it makes it all the more difficult for the honest trustworthy repairmen and service personnel. I never wanted to loose my customers trust which takes years to build and an instant to loose if you would push work or sales that they don’t require done.
“the spark plugs are the brain of the vehicle”
This makes me appreciate my mechanic so much. He is an honest guy and an amazing person.
ok
Share his address with us so that can bring him business,also we can also be a winer👍🏻👊🏻
@@m13e58 I would but we are in North Macedonia 🇲🇰 but if u ever in the region let me know :D
How much does he charge you for rear shoes, drums, and brake flush?
@@shuav8943 for mazda 3 2009 1.6 hdi around 100 eur maybe less will have to check with him on this. It is also important to say he does his work extremely clean and fast. So I get my car very fast where as some mechanics can keep it for days until they get to it...
This is why you maintain your own car
@Theodore Marakas um u can document service with a receipt
@Theodore Marakas and this is why you buy old cars
@Theodore Marakas yea youre right as i get older i will not be able to do it on my own i didnt realize that 😐
3.1k Dealership and mechanics disliked this video
@Theodore Marakas I buy salvage. Warranty already voiding so I do my own stuff without even worrying about it. There are some things I cannot do though. Like transmission work, that's why I have a guy for that.
And never forget to get your blinker fluid changed and keep your exhaust filters clean...!!!
When any business tells you "you're not allowed here, this is private property" (Parkway Honda) I would leave that business and NEVER return. They obviously have something to HIDE and/or are being dishonest.
That woman doesn’t even know what TF she’s talking about.
Is that strange to you ? Would you take seriously a cashier at mcdonald's talking about how you need to fix your car ? SHE IS NOT AUTO MECHANIC!
@@arthurcurry850 what if she's both a McDonald's cashier and an auto mechanic..
@@piaaadah Well that would only be probable in America.
That saleswoman has no clue what the hell she doing. If she offers service I don’t need or up sales simply just walk away
98% of Service advisor never really know what they are saying, this is why they should not speak in technical terms. They should only advise the service the tech recommends.
"Spark plugs are the Brain of the vehicle" So I guess diesels are brainless?
🤣
I just fell off the chair when I heard it, holly cow!!! just to spit on her face damn it.
Even if you brought in a diesel, she'd probably tell you that you need to replace the spark plugs.
For them the 🧠 is glow plug
Obviously this woman don't no JACK about a car! The brain is the COMPUTER. It tells the Spark Plugs when to Fire. Is what they call Timing.
They don’t call it the stealership for nothing. I’m in the car buisness and wouldn’t send my worst enemy to the dealership for an inspection or service.
Right, It's a Honda Stealership.
“Spark plugs are basically the brains of the vehicle.” LOL. I nearly spilled my drink.
As a service advisor she CLEARLY doesn’t know anything about cars 😭😭😭
I worked at a dealership for years and we NEVER did this. The owner always told us that repeat customers were our bread and butter and we need to take care of them. Sadly a lot of dealerships give the thiers a bad rep
It appears to me that the management for that dealership didn't only care about their own bank accounts. Nice!
@@kbhasi You weren't hired there, you were adopted
@@ggooch1430 read it as an insult at first. Lol
Probably 95% of dealerships give the rest a bad name.
@@TheRealScooterGuy 😂😂
15:54 "spark plugs are basically the brain of the vehicle" yeah okay 😂😂😂
My parents' 2015 Ford Escape needed a valve cover gasket... Sarasota Ford's quote was for new head gaskets and / or a whole new engine for $12,335...! For $120 the valve cover gasket was changed with no more issues since...! Sarasota Ford drops everyone off...!!+
Did she really just say “the spark plugs are the brain of the vehicle” 🤦🤔😂
She needs a brain
i need some brain rn 🧠💯💦
She's brain dead.
Name other body part in the body that uses electricity-like impulses?
Tires are arguably more important
I remember a mechanic shop tried to offer my grandma’s car a power steering flush. Interestingly enough, her car has electric power steering. 😂
Some cars take electric power steering fluid believe it or not lol
My car doesn’t have a power steering pump either. G6, not a pump, or any lines. Kind of weird when I learned it! I love when people think they know anything about cars, and blab.
@@vxCOCOxv Yo, I also have a G6 (GXP) and I absolutely have a power steering fluid reservoir. What year G6 do you have?
Some run the pump off an electric motor and it's still hydraulic. The fluid needs to not become conducive just like the oil in the a/c
some electric systems do use hydralics. but most modern ones are just a motor. and if anything... DONT WATCH THE VIDEO TITLED "understanding your cars powersteering!" had to watch that in mechanics class and litrualy everyone was mentaly facepalming at the end.
I love this channel. I wish we had this in the US.
If you're a dealership (or any business for that matter), and a news team shows up at your front door, the literal worst thing you can do is ask them to leave, as opposed to understanding why they are there, evaluating if there is a legitimate issue with your operation, and at least trying to make a genuine statement that you'll look into it and get it solved. To not do so, essentially confirms that you're a slimy operation.
Sometimes I watch this stuff before bed
Same☺️
Me to it's interesting
I doing it right now lol
It wouldn't help me get to sleep...!
I'm doing that rn 🤣
“Spark plugs are the brain of the vehicle.” WTF?! 😂😂😂
Ecu makes pikachu face
Yep, if your spark plugs are bad, your radio won't work.
On2wls and without a radio you might as well just catch an Uber lol
They aren't the brain of the vehicle but they are the heart of the brain...
It’s not that crazy but if it’s a bad spark it could cause some tumbling and rattling. It’s more like the nervous system of the vehicle.
videos like this are gold for the average car owner. Thankyou for posting this! That air bag thing makes me sick
I remember my mother telling me to pick up her car from the 'Ontario Motor League' where it went through a detailed inspection. When I arrived, the 'independent' mechanics gave me a summary sheet that outlined what needed fixing. These mechanics made it very clear to me that nothing else needed to be done on the car and that this summary sheet should be given to the mechanic that would do the repairs. I wonder if this same service exists today. As the economist would say, 'you have an asymmetrical relationship between the buyer and seller'. In that relationship, you need a 3rd party.
"spark plugs are basically the brain of the car" Bro I'm dying 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And 80$ for remapping them 😂
Can't forget Spark plug fluids needs to be changed to. and the sparks needs to be calibrated using calibratorererer.
Plus 30 bucks to not gap them so they think faster.
And the only way to see if your spark plugs are sparkling like they should be. The service lady will kindly hold the positive and negative terminals while you turn the key.
I nearly spit out my water when she said this
Me: comes in for oil change Dealership: yeah you're going to need a new car since we stripped yours down and sold it for parts.
Lmao this ones good
and i tell the service writer, yeah you're going to need a new head because "this is your brain, and this is your brain on hollow points", and im using a laws rocket with hollow point ROCKET !,LOL
🤣
A better option would be to do your oil change yourself its easy
I didn't know Kamaboko Gonpachiro owned a car
The fact that this guy just said PCV valves aren't a maintenance item, shows he has no business working on cars. Have fun when it's plugged and you blow every seal in your engine. As a dealership tech I have seen far more independent shops mis-diagnosing and selling nonsense.
I bought my wife all new tires Friday. Dude asked my wife if the car shakes when she’s breaking? She said no. He told her she needed her breaks changed. I told them it’s a Chevy that I can do those myself.
They literally refused to tell her about the recall so that they didnt have to provide the service and material for free. Recalls are covered by the company. Scum bags
@Dave Micolichek Yeah ? Then why did they lie for five minutes before admitting the truth ?
Dave Micolichek um no. They don’t get the same rate as other work reimbursed so for them they will make less in the same time.
@Dave Micolichek They get the part for free, yes. But the labor hours are not covered.
Dave Micolichek yes they are. At least in the states they are. Every recall I’ve had on my vehicle I didn’t have to pay for anything. I also got a free rental.
If I can butt in here. Warranty work is paid by the manufacturer, however the hours are reduced heavily for the work and the hourly rate is lower. That's why the dealership is avoiding doing it
When did US journalist stop doing these types of investigations??? Thumbs up to CBC. I’m a new fan!
sclSolitarium to many snowflakes
bet US journalists are too focused on Trump and Kim K's butt
Most US journalists are afflicted with TDS Ultra; this is a untreatable brain disease that has increased exponentially since Nov 2016. .
They focus on pewdiepie videos lol
Have to be intelligent on how to go about an undercover investigation, recruit people who care about the principle of the matter, and get some hidden cameras going lol happy trolling those mfers
My dealership ripped me off. They didn't fill my fuel tank when I bought my brand new $89,000 SUV. They brought it up valet style. I got in, saw the fuel light on and was like WTF. They made me wait like 5 minutes. I'll never go there again.
any auto tech who doesn’t work in a dealership will tell you that you’re getting ripped off by taking your car to the dealership for service
You guys got ripped off my shop only charged me 3000$ for fresh fully synthetic blinker fluid 😂
Spencer7445 _ Yes, a bottle of synthetic blend is about 70. You were ripped off it would have only cost about 170. If you did it your self
Good stuff!
🤣🤣🤣
Chris fix here
Thats what i paid for them to put air in my tires
Moral of the video: learn about your car, seriously, you don't have to know enough to do an LS swap but enough to be able to tell when someone is trying to rip you off.
Definitely. I'm not the type to get taken in by big repairs because I always ask them to show me, but I'd likely be taken for a ride with things like brake maintenance or u-joints because of the safety issues they present. Like, I know when my spark plugs were done, but don't necessarily know off the top of my head when my pads and shoes were changed.
Charles VanDergrift I personally just buy my brake stuff. I'm very far from being car savvy and the topic, while certainly important, is an utter bore to me (so it goes with the most important things in life, like taxes, lol). I just buy my brakes and have a company install them. My local Pepboys has treated me well personally (no matter what others might say) and while they will mention other work that's needed, it's genuine work that's needed, like once they were scared to give me the car back because my tires were pretty bald. Indeed, I knew this, so they weren't lying to me. I just went to a place that sold new and like new tires for cheap and they worked perfectly. I also often buy most parts I need for the car and just have them installed. Maybe I pick good places but I've never been upsold after any of those times. I let it also be known that I have no more money aside from the specific maintenence I requested. That too stops any potential upselling.
Yup, I try to do that too sometimes, but often a shop won't install customer-supplied parts. I like to keep spares of some stuff on hand because I have an old vehicle, but sometimes the shop doesn't want to install what I have. The key is to do what you did which is to find a shop you trust and stick with them. One shop almost got me by freaking me out with a "severe oil leak" that wasn't severe. It drips occasionally and never leaves a puddle.
Charles VanDergrift If nothing else, if I have the time, I get a second opinion. Take it to someone else and don't say a word about the other service the last place said you needed. If both come to the same conclusion, then the service might actually be needed. If not...I suppose it's your call as to decide whether someone was lying.
That's always a good strategy too.
The number of times this has come up as a KZhead recommendation, is Google trying to tell me something about the choices I'm making?
“Timing belt failure can cause overheat of the engine” 😂😂 the biggest issue is advisors have no idea what they’re talking about
No it doesn't.. it makes the rear wheels go forward...
@@baggieshorts1406 spoken like a true advisor
@@michaelreale3647 😇🤣😂🤣😅
Failure of the timing belt means you need a brand new engine and transmission
Went to a Jiffy Lube for a simple oil change. They “checked my fluids” and concluded that unless I got $350 “total fluid change and refill for oil, brakes, etc.” that my car would break down and would not be able to be driven by the end of the week. I decided not too. I left and continued to drive the car without a problem for the next two years.
I change my car fluids myself ;) that way i feel free and proud of myself as well saving me money
I cant believe they didnt mention your car was low on "Blinker" fluid
@@mrcoz1764 LMMFAO!!!
Yeah, I quit fooling with them 3 years ago when they over-charged me $130+ for an oil and filter change.
@@jerryfoster3123 wow that’s like $20 they made major major proffit
So your sunroof spark plug needs to be changed, it's basically the brain of the car. Your radio fluids badly need a flushing. Your trunk breaks are completely finished. Now you don't need to do all these repairs but if you don't, your car will explode.
umm im also pretty sure the sunroof spark plug can ONLY be changed with a left handed screwdriver
(And having the technician use a left handed screw driver will cost you about another $75 in labour)
dvsed you need a sky hook and a long weight
Don't forget the blinker fluid lmfao 😂😂😂
Every one knows you never go to the dealership for any routine services because they rip you off.
Car Dealerships be like: I'm smart you're dumb, I'm big you're little, I'm right you're wrong and there's nothing you can do about it.
This is why they are called “Stealerships”
stop blanketing all dealerships, my local dealership has amazing service, ive never been told that i need more than an oil change
@Henry Discipline I have checked every last detail
Alot of small shops charges for an inspection, my dealership does mandatory free inspection
@@fwir711u2 They are still stealerships when they charge too much for everything. 🚘
You stole that from chrisfix
*tire explodes*.... OMG CHECK THE SPARK PLUGS
🤣 OMG 😂 too funny!
15:55 "basically is the brain of the vehicle".
As a kid I have have ish knowledge also I haven't search it but is spark plugs the engine starter? Or something to do to start the car
@@leonlai5805 first of all there's Google. But to answer it ignites the the gas as the pistons compress the gasoline, making it explode. Your engine is literally exploding inside.
it would be awesome if it was a diesel engine XD
This is why I’ve done my own maintenance for the last 45 yrs. I must have saved a fortune. 😎
A great program. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Here is your bill: Blinker fluid(rare gold fluid): 200$ Tires(need to be changed every 400 miles.) 800$ Driver seat fluid (to keep the adjustable seat working) 500$ Gold engine oil (recommended for this car) 20,000$ Car itself (800$) labor 7,000$ per hour so that will come up the a total of 30,000,000$ OH and the dealership fee is 9,000,000$
Jean-Luc Contant-Galitello That must be a Jaguar you’re talking about lol
Jean-Luc Contant-Galitello You forgot the headlight fluid
And uhhhh, we also, on behalf of the dealership went ahead and checked out your steering wheel, it's a little warped right now so next time you come in we can pull that up and get it fixed right away.
Can't forget about the Canooter valve. Those are notorious for shitting the bed every 2 days or 17 starts of the vehicle....whichever comes first.
The "Dollar" sign goes first.
I took my Volkswagen in for the Takata airbag recall. They advised me that my rear brakes needed replacement and it would cost $700. I am fortunate to have a trustworthy mechanic who knows Volkswagens in and out. I took my car in for service and asked him about my brakes. He told me they're fine until next maintenance. I have never been led wrong by this shop and I feel better about supporting local small businesses.
C@ptain_Jack lol damn I could change yo brakes for a glass of Lemonade haha
That's not the worst of it. If you get brakes done, say with 40% pad material remaining, at least then you don't run into the typical poor performance and noise that most pads have by the time they're down to the last 10-15%. The worse problem is they're putting $150 worth of parts on and $100 labor but instead of charging $250 total, they want $700, so even if they were honest about the interval to change them, you're still overpaying by 200% at the rates they charge.
my boss charges 80 for labor and customers pay for the parts $100-200 in parts
I change my own brakes. It's not that damn hard!
My local dealership said my "blinker fluid reservoir" was leaking, and a new one would cost $399 to replace and refill. I told him to stick it. 😤
"You guys are missing everything" Yeah? I have everything. Maybe YOU are the one missing everything. You are missing your BRAIN! OW SNAP!