Let's get something out of the way right off the bat. Most mechanics are honest. Whether they are working for themselves or working for someone else, they want to do a good job, make you happy, and are not planning on ripping you off. The whole "dishonest mechanic" thing is not an accurate stereotype. But you know, stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason. What do I mean by that? A tiny number of mechanics have lied. They look at you as someone they can take advantage of. They know that you don't know anything about cars and that they can tell you pretty much anything that they want and you will fall for it because you're so worried about something going wrong with your car. This is only true of a very tiny minority, but it is always better to be prepared in case you run into such a mechanic. The following are 20 of the most common lies that dishonest mechanics tell you. Now, don't get us wrong, just because your mechanic might say these things to you, it doesn't mean they are lying, as most advice mechanics give is definitely in the best interest of the car. It just means that you might need to be more aware of where they are coming from when they say it, and to be more careful about digesting the information they give you. I guess what it boils down to is how much do you really trust your mechanic? And if you do trust them, should you? Or should you consider going to a different garage where an honest mechanic (of which there are many) can actually look out for you.

The Car Needs Synthetic Oil

[caption id="attachment_61626" align="alignnone" width="1600"] via holidayservicecenter.net[/caption] We all know this one, you go to get your oil changed, and they tell you that you need synthetic oil. Some experts claim that it is absolutely necessary, but what does that even mean? Even if you say that your car requires synthetic oil, does that mean it is mandatory? Nope, not even a little bit. This one is trickier than most because a lot of mechanics will tell you that you should use synthetic oil, but if they start telling you that you "need" to use it, in particular when it has to do with an older car, you might want to do your own research.

The Car Needs A Tune-Up

[caption id="attachment_61632" align="alignnone" width="2122"] via mobilemechanicdenverco.com[/caption] Unless your car is super old, and yes, I am looking at you 90s, you don't need to worry about tune-ups. Those things went out with hacky sacks, Cabbage Patch Dolls and grunge music, Cheapism says "It's been a generation since any car has needed a tuneup. If a car dates back to the 1990s or beyond, maybe give it more routine maintenance; if not, you don't need spark plugs or oil filters changed every 20,000 to 30,000 miles." It is of course optimum, but those on a tight budget can get away with waiting.

Need An Oil Change Every 3000 Miles

[caption id="attachment_61634" align="alignnone" width="1183"] via aaa.com[/caption] This one has been around forever, so long in fact that you wonder how it even started. There is absolutely no reason to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Most automakers say that you can wait an entire year before you have to change your oil. At the least your looking at 7,500 miles or so and if you use synthetic motor oil it might even be 15,000. This is a tough one too, as the mechanic knows you're worried about your car and want to take good care of it, but they really are overdoing it at 3000. Maybe they do it because the driver only realizes they need to get their oil changed by the time they drive 4000 miles. This means by the time they actually bring it in, they might have actually hit 7500.

Need To Fill Tires With Nitrogen

[caption id="attachment_61636" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via generaltire.com[/caption] Do your car tires really need nitrogen as opposed to just regular air? Nope. Karl Brauer, senior director of content for Kelley Blue Book told Usnews.com “Nitrogen isn’t as susceptible to temperature changes as oxygen. But our air has 78 percent nitrogen in it already, so you’re not getting that much of a benefit from pure nitrogen versus regular air.” Confused? Sure you are, and your mechanic knows that. Although putting nitrogen in your tires isn't that expensive you definitely don't need to do it, so don't buy this lie.

Flush The Transmission Fluid

[caption id="attachment_61637" align="alignnone" width="1920"] via youtube.com[/caption] Don't buy into this one. These days transmission fluid should last a very long time, but even if you do need to check it, you don't need to very often at all. Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book told the website Cheapism "Transmission oil change or flush depends on how hard you work your vehicle and the conditions under which it operates, Typically 50,000 to 60,000 [miles] is the norm. checking the fluid for debris and discolouration is key to determining whether or not you need this service."

Need To Follow A Set Service Schedule

[caption id="attachment_61641" align="alignnone" width="1800"] via skmechanic.com[/caption] This is the kind of thing that is a totally obvious lie, but it is also one that is really hard to resist falling for. If your mechanic is telling you that you need to follow a set service schedule, who are you to argue with him? The fact of the matter is some mechanics use a very frequent service schedule so they can get into their customer's wallet a little bit more. You just keep bringing the car in just because it is "time" for you to do so. It obviously isn't a bad idea to have your car looked at regularly, but it can be on your schedule, not your mechanics. Bottom line: definitely come in on a schedule, but if it's a bit too frequent for your liking, something might be up.

Need To Bring It Into The Dealership

[caption id="attachment_61642" align="alignnone" width="1800"] via uti.edu[/caption] Of course, if your car is under some sort of warranty that requires you to bring it to the dealership, you should do so, but at the same time, you certainly don't "have" to bring your car into the dealership that you bought your car from for service. In fact, you might even want to bring it into another dealer, or maybe you just have a trusted mechanic that you've been going to. The dealership is going to try and tell you to bring it to them, and they might even act like you're nuts if you don't, but they're just trying to get into your wallet.

Mileage Isn't As Important As They Say

[caption id="attachment_59141" align="alignnone" width="1170"] via cars.com[/caption] Mileage does matter of course, just like anything else the more that you use something, the more likely it is to break down. But if your mechanic is telling you something that you need certain work done because you're at 20,000 miles, you don't have to take him at his word. Sometimes your mechanic could be telling you the truth, other times he might be just trying to line his pockets with your hard earned cash. The best solution is to always do your own research when it comes to a mechanic telling you that you need to do something based on mileage.

Use Only Dealer Parts

[caption id="attachment_61643" align="alignnone" width="1800"] via johnsonautowreckersplus.com[/caption] Obviously, there are certain things that you don't want to cheap out on, and you are going to want to buy good solid parts for your vehicle, especially for important things like, you know, brakes. But does that mean that you have to buy dealer parts all the time? Absolutely not. If someone tells you that you have to buy dealer parts, they may be giving you misinformation. You might want to begin taking your car elsewhere. A suggestion by your mechanic is just that, but don't let yourself be strong armed or conned into this situation.

Don't Drive This Another Mile

[caption id="attachment_61646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] via videoblocks.com[/caption] This one is a big tell. If you're mechanic tells you this, one of two things is going on. You either got incredibly lucky that you were able to drive your car into your mechanics' garage without having a total disaster happen or you're mechanic is trying to pull one over on you. It is actually illegal in New York to pull this maneuver. The mechanic is just trying to scare you into paying through the nose to do some work. Sure maybe your car really is not in shape to go any further, but there are way more professional ways to tell the customer.

There's A Leak

[caption id="attachment_61649" align="alignnone" width="1024"] via cadillacforums.com[/caption] You may find that a when a mechanic tells you that you have a leak that you actually have one, but it might be just a mechanic lying to you to get more work. Ask to see exactly what is leaking and don't just look at a puddle on the floor for proof. This has to be one of the top 5 scams that mechanics pull on people. Oh, I have a leak? Wow, that stinks, let me just give you 500 dollars to fix it then! Again, most mechanics are honest, but the ones that aren't honest use this trick more often than you might expect.

Most Of These Cars Have This Problem

[caption id="attachment_61658" align="alignnone" width="1415"] via mastermechanic.ca[/caption] This is a big one. If you have a mechanic who tries to tell you what you car needs without even looking at it then you should run, not walk, out of his garage as soon as you possibly can. Sure maybe all sorts of VW Jetta's might need a certain thing, but that doesn't mean that yours does. So many of these lies that mechanics tell are designed to make you feel like you don't know anything about cars, and that your mechanic knows all. That might be true in some situations but you know if your mechanic says that he is just messing with you.

Can't Give Out That Information

[caption id="attachment_61661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] via autotrader.ca[/caption] What does this even mean? If you have a mechanic that ever says the phrase "I can't tell you that information", then you know that you have a bad one. This phrase usually is said when you, the customer, are asking the mechanic about something that doesn't make sense, either with the bill or work that the mechanic has done. Come on, your mechanic isn't an employee of the CIA, the information about your car isn't classified, he is just trying to avoid telling you something that you don't want to hear. 

The Car Also Needed This

[caption id="attachment_59160" align="alignnone" width="1650"] via australiantrackmotorsport.com[/caption]  Yeah, this one is no good at all and is even pretty obvious. If you bring your car in for work and your mechanic did some unauthorized work because your car "needed it". You know you're being ripped off. Not only that but you also know that your mechanic thinks your a total sucker, and if you don't call him out on it, your mechanic is right. No honest mechanic would ever do any sort of work without checking with you first. So basically if you get told this, you know that your mechanic is nothing but a fraud.

The Brakes Are Bad

[caption id="attachment_61662" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via autorepairwestlakevillage.com[/caption] What does even mean? There are all sorts of different things that could make your brakes "bad". Consumer Reports says "bad brakes" can usually be fixed by changing brake pads and turning/cleaning brake rotors. If the mechanic says to replace everything, get a second opinion." I guess that is what it all comes down to really, sure it is a pain to bring your car around to multiple places to get a second opinion, but if you don't have a mechanic that you trust, that is exactly what you are going to have to do. It is better than being lied to.

Air Filter Is Dirty

[caption id="attachment_61663" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via youtube.com[/caption] This one is a classic. Mechanics that are liars often have dirty filters kicking around to show you how bad your's is. According to Cheapism "Engine air filter replacement intervals, today are generally in the 25,000-mile range, but are a common upsell at every oil change. A little dirt on the filter doesn't mean it's bad, only that it's doing its job. If light from a 100-watt bulb will pass through at least half the filter area, the filter is fine." Don't fall for this classic scam by mechanics who are just trying to rip you off.

The Fuel Filter Is Filthy

[caption id="attachment_61664" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via clarkscarcare.com[/caption] This one all depends on whether you are using regular gas or Diesel. According to Cheapism "On gasoline engines, fuel filter replacement is rarely necessary on modern vehicles unless a restricted filter is diagnosed as part of a larger fuel system issue. Diesel fuel filters do require regular service, and it is very important that it be done." So in other words if you have a car that uses regular gas and your mechanic tells you that you need to change your fuel filter then you might want to make sure he is telling you the truth. 

They Are Certified

[caption id="attachment_61665" align="alignnone" width="1280"] via matthewpaulturner.net[/caption] This one is a really good one. When a mechanic tells you that he is "certified" what does that even mean? Certified at what? Who knows? I can guarantee you that if you searched around the Internet right now it would probably take you about five minutes to find certifications for just about everything that you could imagine. It can be misleading when they simply say they are "certified". Be sure to check they have all necessary certifications to properly work on a car. It isn't an issue with most mechanics, but it is better to check beforehand that they aren't blowing smoke. Unless you really have a lot of knowledge about the place that "certified" your mechanic then it really doesn't mean much of anything, no matter what your mechanic tries to tell you.

These Tires Are New

[caption id="attachment_61667" align="alignnone" width="1024"] via reddit.com[/caption] Some of these cross the line from lying, they are actually straight up scams. When a mechanic tells you that they are selling you a new tire when it actually is an old one, they are really pushing the envelope. Again, we aren't saying that all mechanics are liars, most of them aren't, so usually if your mechanic tells you he is selling you a new tire, that is exactly what you're going to get. It is just the bad apples in the bunch that pull this kind of trick on people who may not understand what to look for to know the age of a tire, but those mechanics do exist and you have to be careful out there.

This Part Has A Lifetime Guarantee

[caption id="attachment_61676" align="alignnone" width="1414"] via matthumphreys.ca[/caption] This is another one that one has to wonder what they are even really talking about. Say you buy a muffler that has a lifetime guarantee, but then later you find out that while the so-called muffler is guaranteed, the pipes that are attached to the muffler are not. It is just one more thing that you go into thinking you got a great deal on, but then you find out that you just got snaked but a dishonest mechanic. One has to really pay attention to all of the fine print. Sources: Usnews.com, Cheapism.com, MSN.com