Guy from another board.....
Background first, skip to the service list below if you are in such a hurry that you just want to see the scam question.
My mother-in-law has a 1995 Saturn. She has taken it to them religiously for service every 7,500 miles (and gets an oil change elsewhere between services as well). Well, her Catalytic Converter is shot with 110,000 miles on it. Saturn wants close to $1000 to replace it. So, she took it to a local repair shop that has a reputation of being very honest (when they did a sting a while ago, he was one of the only shops that repeatedly fixed small problems for small or no fees without jacking up the price and making stuff up).
Well, he gave her some very bad news. He told her that her car was in desperate need of a tune up, that the #1 cylinder was starving for fuel, the spark plugs were very old, possibly even the original plugs, her transmission fluid is bad, and her antifreeze is bad. He said the power steering fluid is ok for now, but will need replacing soon as well.
Now, here is what has my mother-in-law so worked up. She went back to her house, pulled her records, and has paid for the below service three times, the last one just under 20,000 miles ago.
Every 30,000 miles- $399.95
▪ Change Engine Oil Filter
▪ Replace Engine Oil Drain Plug Gasket
▪ Service Transmission, Differentials & Transfer Case
▪ Inspect Front Brake Linings, Rotors & Calipers
▪ Inspect Rear Brake Linings, Drums/Rotors & Cylinders
▪ Inspect Brake Lines & Hoses
▪ Inspect Exhaust System Pipes Muffler & Catalytic Converter
▪ Inspect Front & Rear Suspension & Steering System
▪ Inspect Drive Axles, U-Joints, CV Boots & Drive Lines
▪ Check Steering Gear Box Oil (Manual Steering Only)
▪ Inspect Spark Plugs (Platinum At 60,000)
▪ Inspect Fuel System - Fuel Tank, Cap & Lines
▪ Check Air Filter Condition
▪ Check A/C Cabin Filter
▪ Service Battery
▪ Rotate Tires
▪ Check Tire Condition & Adjust Air Pressure (Check Spare Upon Request)
▪ Check Complete Drive Train For Fluid Leaks
▪ Check Shocks & Struts For Wear And/Or Leakage
▪ Check Clutch/Auto Transmission Performance & Operation
▪ Top-Off Engine Compartment Fluids (Brake Fluid, If Warning Light Is On)
▪ Inspect Engine Anti-Freeze
▪ Check Drive Belt Condition & Tension
▪ Lubricate Door Locks, Latches & Hinges
▪ Check Interior & Exterior Lights
▪ Check Windshield Wiper Operation, Blades & Washer
▪ Check Parking Brake Adjustment
▪ Check Seat Belt Condition
So, we go over this with the neighborhood mechanic, and he tells her that what she got was a $400 oil change, lube and tire rotation. He goes on to explain that no where on the list does it say to REPLACE anything other than the oil, filter, and drain plug gasket.
I couldn't believe this. So, I called the dealer. I asked, "What happens if I have my Saturn serviced there and you find a problem, is that more to fix, or is that included?" He tells me that for EVERYTHING they find wrong during inspection, it is an additional charge! Looking at her bills, she was never charged an additional fee. So, does that really mean that she spent $1,200 dollars on three oil changes????
Regardless, after the neighborhood mechanic finished working on the car, she says she can't remember the last time it ran so well. It is super quiet, smooth, and doesn't vibrate. With all of her records in check, she doesn't have any recourse, does she?