There’s a level of ease and trust that comes with handing over your car keys at a reputable shop. You expect honesty, quality and delivery of your car in some better shape than when it arrived. What if, behind the friendly service advisor and the shiny service bay, a trap is already laying in wait to separate you from your money?
Car service scams are unfortunately more common than you think. There are a number of dishonest shops that have learned to leverage the art of deception as a business model. They are bold enough to offer unnecessary replacements, fake parts, and even just to inflate the bill. The good news is that once you understand their tricks you can avoid becoming their next victim.
Here is a list of the most common car service scams with smart suggestions on how to avoid them.
1. The “Mandatory” Replacement Trick
Ever gone for a simple oil change and come out with a bill that looks like you replaced half the car? That’s the oldest trick in the book.
Some service advisors have a knack for convincing you that several parts “need immediate replacement.” They might throw around technical jargon “the brake pads are dangerously thin” or “your air filter is completely choked” to make it sound urgent. In reality, these parts might still have plenty of life left.
How to avoid it:
Always request to inspect the part before it is swapped. A trustworthy mechanic will show you the wear and provide an explanation for why it should be replaced. Additionally, confirm your vehicle’s maintenance schedule located in the owner’s manual. That information clearly indicates which parts need replacement and when.
If you visit a service facility and it is recommended to replace something that’s not due, that is your sign to leave.
2. Fake Parts, Real Problems
Another common scam may involve fake or inferior replacement parts. Some dishonest repair shops will swap out genuine parts with cheap impersonators yet charge you for the legitimate part. The fake parts may even outwardly appear the same but can cause real, long-term damage to your engine or brakes.
For example, an imitation oil filter might be sold for ₹200 instead of ₹800, but because it clogs quickly, you will not have proper lubrication of the engine for long. A few hundred up-front savings now means you will be paying thousands in repairs later.
How to Avoid it
- Always request OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts.
- Asking for your old parts back will stop someone from replacing them with counterfeit parts.
- Only use authorized service centers or well-known independent garages.
Finally, if you are still not confident that you have received the right part, check the serial number of the part online or by looking it up in the car manufacturer’s app, if available (some manufacturers like, Maruti and Hyundai have serial number look ups).
3. The “Engine Flush” Gimmick
You might have heard a mechanic recommend an engine flush to “remove sludge and improve performance.” Sounds like a good deal, right? The problem is, most modern cars don’t need an engine flush unless there’s been extreme neglect or contamination.
In fact, using the wrong engine flush chemicals can do more harm than good; they can loosen deposits and cause oil passages to clog.
How to avoid it:
If your car’s oil is changed regularly, you don’t need a flush. Check your owner’s manual if it doesn’t recommend one, skip it. A trustworthy service advisor will never push unnecessary chemical treatments.
4. Overcharging for Simple Jobs
A surprisingly common scam involves inflating labor costs for small jobs. A spark plug replacement or battery change might appear as a high-labor operation on your bill.
Certain garages will also add an “inspection” or “diagnostic” fee for simple checks, or use vague terms such as “service kit installation” to add to the bill.
How to avoid it
Before authorizing service, always ask for a detailed estimate. Compare it with proposals from other service centers or online price comparison websites like CarInfo’s service cost estimator.
Also, determine if the labor cost is flat rate (per job) or hourly. This way, you will know what is reasonable and what is inflated.
5. Topping Up Fluids You Don’t Need
During routine servicing, some mechanics will suggest topping up or replacing every fluid in your car from transmission oil to coolant, power steering fluid, and brake oil even if they’re perfectly fine.
It’s an easy upsell because most car owners don’t know when these fluids actually need to be changed.
How to avoid it:
Use your car’s service manual as your bible. It clearly mentions change intervals for each fluid. If a workshop insists on replacement before it’s due, politely decline and show them the recommended schedule.
A quick dipstick check or coolant reservoir inspection is often enough to know the real condition.
6. “We Noticed Something Else…” The Surprise Problem
You dropped your car off for a dent repair, but now the mechanic says your suspension is shot and your clutch needs replacement. Coincidence? Probably not.
This is called the “upsell trap.” Once the car is on their premises, they find (or invent) more problems to increase your bill.
How to avoid it:
Never approve additional work over the phone without verification. Ask for photos or videos of the problem area. If the issue seems suspicious, get a second opinion before giving the go-ahead.
Check: What to Do If Your Car Number Plate Gets Damaged or Lost
7. Skipping Services You Paid For
Sometimes the scam isn’t about adding unnecessary work it’s about not doing the job at all.
An oil change billed but never performed. Air filters that remain untouched. Tyre rotations skipped. Unless you’re watching, you’ll never know.
It happens more often than you’d think, especially at busy workshops where oversight is low.
How to avoid it:
Be present during key steps at least for the start and end of the service. Ask the mechanic to show you:
- The new oil container before pouring
- The old filter or replaced part after removal
- The final service checklist
If you can’t be there, request a photo or video update most reputable centers are happy to provide it now.
8. Inflated “Package” Deals
Some workshops push service packages, annual maintenance contracts, detailing combos, or “gold plans” that sound like a bargain at first glance. But once you read the fine print, you’ll realize that many of the services included are unnecessary or already part of a regular maintenance plan.
You might end up paying extra for basic things like tire pressure checks, wheel alignment, or washing.
How to avoid it:
Do the math before signing up. Compare individual service costs versus the package total. If you’re not driving long distances or don’t visit the service center often, it’s cheaper to pay as you go.
9. Tampered Odometer During Service Resale
Here’s one that’s sneaky: some small garages or used-car dealers tamper with your car’s odometer to make it look like it’s been driven less, especially before reselling.
While this isn’t technically a “service scam” in the traditional sense, it’s something that often happens after a car goes for service and before it’s sold.
How to avoid it:
Always check your odometer reading before and after service. Also, verify the recorded mileage in your service invoice it should match. If you’re selling your car, take timestamped photos for record.
10. Unnecessary Add-On Treatments
Ceramic coating, fuel additives, AC disinfectants, anti-rust sprays the list is endless. While some of these are genuinely helpful, most are unnecessary for regular use and are just upselling tactics.
A mechanic might warn that skipping a certain additive could “reduce engine life” which is rarely true.
How to avoid it:
Research before you buy. Additives and coatings are optional not essential. Always ask what benefit you’ll actually get, and whether the manufacturer recommends it. In 9 out of 10 cases, the answer will save you money.
Smart Tips to Stay Scam-Free
- Digital records only: Keep your service invoices and receipts for future reference, especially if you want to recall what services you had and when.
- Use trusted platforms: Apps like CarInfo will get you into verified shops and also let you check verified customer reviews.
- Don’t fall for fear: Watch for service advisors who say “urgent”, “dangerous”, or “risky” without physical proof.
- Do minor checks yourself: The more you know, the more confident you feel. Keep up with checking your oil level, coolant, and tire pressure regularly.
- Only one shop: When you’ve found a place you trust, stay with them! It keeps everyone accountable.
Conclusion
Car service scams profit from one thing-you being uninformed. The more you know, the harder it is for someone to scam you. Your car is an investment, not a way for an unscrupulous garage to rob you blind. The next time you drive into a service center, walk in and get smart, ask questions, and insist on being informed.
Because informed car ownership starts with not-so-fancy equipment, but honesty, trust, and knowledge.
