Mine only tells me BS stuff like change air cabin filter, change windshield wipers, new tires (they tell me that when they're only 1/4 worn!). I just buy an air filter and have DH install it.

Many, maybe most, auto mechanics at dealers are paid by the job. They do not receive an hourly wage. The more jobs that they perform, the more money they make. The service people get the information on what needs to be done on your car both by the warranty information that each car comes with and from the auto mechanics. There can be a lot of upselling.

Fortunately for us, my son is an auto mechanic.

The dealership has repeatedly proposed thousands of dollars in repairs that my independent mechanic said are bunk. They are crooks, and should be investigated/prosecuted for fleecing innocent people.

I used the dealer for a long time because the prices seemed reasonable and they didn't charge me for little things. And, they offered pickup/drop off for a while, which was fantastic although short lived.

Recently the dealer said my car needed thousands of dollars in wheel repairs. The price was such that I took it to the independent shop for a second opinion, which found one wheel with an issue and charged a fraction of the dealer quote. I won't be going back to the dealership.

You should. A friend of mind didn’t have the transmission serviced like the dealership suggested and a month later, the transmission went south. Now he’s $3,000 out of pocket for a transmission rebuild.

I wish I knew how to attach video clips - I'm reminded of a Seinfeld episode where George is helping Jerry buy a new car. George is in the service line to wage a complaint about a mechanic who stole his Twix bar. The manager asks if he needs car service, and he says something to the effect of throwing money away by using a dealership.

I take my hundred years old Honda to a dealership for oil changes. They usually present me with a proposal for “urgently” needed repairs in the thousands. I find it amusing but also often useful. They do find some problems that need addressing, but could be DIY or done by an independent mechanic for 1/3 of the price.

Anonymous wrote:We recently had 2 different recalls on both our vehicles (different car makers). Both service departments called with a list of needed service amounting to thousands of dollars! We use our own mechanic and will see what he says/if this info is accurate. In the past, our mechanic has said it is BS.

Curious if anyone actually just says "yes" to all the suggested repairs? And, are these dealer service departments dishonest? Don't get it!

A lot of it is BS, but some of it isn't. Good idea to check with your independent mechanic.

Your user's manual also lists what is the required maintenance vs recommended maintenance.

Aren’t recall repairs free to the customer? As for the “recommended” services, usually I say no, but it really depends on the issue. I always go to the Nissan dealer for my car and inspections which are required annually in my state. The dealer mechanic might mention that my tires will need replaced in the next X months. I like having the heads up notice and will handle according in due time.

I go to our local Honda dealer, 10 year old car. They certainly don’t suggest something every time, so when they do I look into and usually end up doing it. Rarely is it over $2k total (like I did a brake job which I knew I needed and they fixed something else for a couple hundred they identified).

I drive in a sketchy part of town so hope to keep car reliable.

Anonymous wrote:Sure, all the time. But I know enough to know if my brakes or tires need to be replaced or the car needs an oil change. I also know it’s less expensive to go to a break shop and a tire store and a jiffy lube.

I'm convinced my dealer offers free lifetime oil changes just so that they can offer suggestions every time I bring it in.

My cars are always under warranty, so yes. For an ancient car, I wouldn’t.

Sure, all the time. But I know enough to know if my brakes or tires need to be replaced or the car needs an oil change. I also know it’s less expensive to go to a break shop and a tire store and a jiffy lube.

No and once the BMW dealer implied I couldn't pick up my car if I didn't do them and that I was stupid for not doing them. My husband dealt with him and them and I don't have a BMW anymore.

We recently had 2 different recalls on both our vehicles (different car makers). Both service departments called with a list of needed service amounting to thousands of dollars! We use our own mechanic and will see what he says/if this info is accurate. In the past, our mechanic has said it is BS.

Curious if anyone actually just says "yes" to all the suggested repairs? And, are these dealer service departments dishonest? Don't get it!