Let's face it, we, the owners of Skoda classic cars are not exactly the richest people in the world. Not that we have to be for that matter. What counts for the majority of us is a decent, reliable, economic, small car that takes us to work and back home then for weekends and holidays in not too far places. Add on top of that passion for years and even love for oyur car and the package is complete. An in-depth proof for this statement is the topic pinned in this section and titled FELICIA/FAVORIT APPRECIATION THREAD.

 

As any other car, Skoda classic cars need maintenance and repairs. People that come in here to ask for help and advice have three major reasons:

• they want to save money by doing the job(s) themselves
• they want to learn more about their car
• they had been ripped off by shady mechanics

This topic is about the latter motive. Just to be clear, I think that the majority of auto mechanics are honest, knowledgeable and hard working people. But every now and then we see or hear about shady mechanics that give a bad name to all auto repair industry. That is true in every country around the world.

 

If you have been the victim of a shady mechanic or garage as a Skoda classic owner, please tell us about your experience so that we all know what to expect and to learn how to avoid them. It is up to you if you want to name names, as long as you have the proof in your hand in the form of a fat bill for a service not done, a car badly 'repaired', parts that didn't have to be replaced, bad behaviour, etc.

I'm a victim of a shady mechanic....I see him every morning in my mirror!

I'm a victim of a shady mechanic....I see him every morning in my mirror!

Bummer perhaps you need new mirrors.

 

Now seriously, here is one example of bad behaviour I hear about where I live from various Skoda classic owners. 9 out of 10 cases, when they presented with their car to a garage for a repair, they were refused. The reason? "We don't repair old cars." On further inquiry they said there are too many rusted fasteners that might snap and complicate things...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3038188/Shocking-dashcam-footage-shows-Halfords-mechanic-taking-customer-s-souped-Ford-Focus-joyride-DOUBLE-speed-limit-took-MOT.html

In case you left your car in a garage for a winter tyres swap and the rims had delicate scratches afterwards, here is what might had happened.

 

 

The same thing might happen if you forgot handing them the security keys for the wheel nut locks.