Did you ever take your car to the shop for what you think will be a small repair only to be told it needs major work that could cost thousands of dollars?

Do you trust that assessment?

The Better Business Bureau’s top 10 industries with the most complaints usually include car repair shops. Knowing this information, you probably shouldn’t be quick to trust a mechanic. Yet how can you keep your car in working order without falling for one of the “you need this repair work or your car is shot” scams?

Some experts believe nearly a third of all auto repairs are unnecessary. That’s a HUGE number. And there’s only one way to know if you can trust your mechanic: get a word-of-mouth referral from someone you personally trust. No matter what the ad says, a credible referral is the best tactic for avoiding a mechanic who will try to take all your hard-earned cash (and sometimes a little more). Also, if a good customer referred you, the mechanic knows he’d better treat you well or risk losing two customers. That’s not to mention all the business he’ll lose when you complain to all your friends on Facebook.

If your mechanic tells you that your car needs work but you suspect it really doesn’t, get another opinion or two. A common scam comes from the dishonest mechanic who tells you your car needs repairs right now. Even worse is the mechanic who tries to make something look like a problem when there isn’t one. Some have even been known to cause a problem by puncturing the radiator hose or cutting the fan belt

Even if it’s a reputable firm, don’t allow a mechanic to look under your hood without you. In fact, Sears was once sued for talking customers into unnecessary auto services and had to pay $46 million in settlements. As you can see, no one is above questioning.

Another scam to watch out for is “bait and switch.” In this case, you come in for an advertised special, like a $19.95 oil change. Then you’re told you need new brake pads or other costly repairs. When that happens, thank the employee for their recommendation, but firmly tell them you agreed only to the advertised special and will have your regular mechanic take a look at the car.

Sometimes, repair shops tell customers they need to replace a perfectly good part, then charge for the part and labor, but do none of the work! Before you agree to the replacement, make sure the mechanic understands you expect the original part returned to you. Another unethical practice is overcharging, so always ask for estimates up front. If your mechanic’s prices seem out of line, ask why. If you’re not satisfied with the answer, find someone else.

Some unscrupulous garages will charge tax on labor in addition to the parts. This is illegal and just puts more of your money in their pockets. Check your bill carefully before paying to make sure the tax is calculated based upon parts only, not the total amount.