Taking your car in for repairs, routine maintenance or an inspection can be a pain. But most drivers accept the hassle because it comes with peace of mind, knowing their vehicle is safe, functional and ready for the road.
Now imagine carving time out of your workday, going without your car for days and paying a hefty bill – only to find out the work may never have been done.
That’s the situation at the center of allegations against a Pittsburgh-area auto shop (1), Irvine Alignment.
As CBS reports, Pennsylvania State Police allege that 161 fraudulent inspections took place there, related to repairs that were never completed by another local mechanic’s shop called Oilology.
Irvine Alignment owner Kenneth Anderson, 58, of Gibsonia, faces 161 charges of tampering with public records and information. His mechanic Bryan Nicklas, 63, of Evans City, faces 60 such charges.
Meanwhile CBS reports that Oilology owner Keith Smith has been arrested (2) on charges related to one customer’s complaint that Smith took his car, failed to make repairs and then loaned the car out — without the customer’s knowledge — to other people.
Police say Oilology owner Smith took customers’ vehicles in for repairs, never fixed them, then had Anderson and Nicklas sign off on inspections that were never performed, allowing unrepaired cars to go back on the road.
Car repair and inspection fraud can come in different shapes, but they all put drivers at risk.
Most state inspections require private auto shops to adhere to strict safety requirements in order to pass vehicles, but sometimes auto shops can cut corners (3).
When fraudulent activity is detected, investigation can take months or even years and put every “passed” inspection into question.
If your car’s inspection sticker was obtained fraudulently, the state can treat that inspection as invalid and may impose fines or other penalties, including issues with registration.
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If your car isn’t properly inspected where required, some insurers may view it as higher‑risk (4), may require you to complete a valid inspection before starting or renewing coverage, and in some cases may delay or question a claim — particularly if a mechanical defect contributed to the accident.
Another form of fraud in used‑car transactions is the vehicle history report scam (5), which targets both buyers and sellers.
People selling their car online may be approached by someone posing as a potential buyer. The imposter requests the seller share a vehicle history report on a bogus site, asking the seller to enter the car’s VIN and pay a fee for the report.
Aside from losing the money paid for the report in the first place, using personal information and a credit card on such sites can expose a consumer to identity theft.
You may just want to get your car into the nearest and cheapest shop ASAP. But taking a little extra time to find a trustworthy auto shop ensures the safety of you and others on the road.
The best place to start? Word of mouth (6), says Consumer Reports.
“Gauging a repair shop’s quality is tricky, and its size and cleanliness can only tell you so much about it,” says John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center.
“The best way to tell if the shop is a good bet is by word of mouth from people who have used and been happy with its service.”
In addition to getting recommendations and reading reviews, check for certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
The ASE certification requires mechanics to be tested every five years. Ask the shop about their warranties for common repairs; good shops will want to guarantee their work.
If a shop makes repairs you didn’t authorize, especially after already providing you with an estimated cost, you may be able to sue the mechanic (7), though it’s important to note that unauthorized repairs may not be eligible for civil action if they were necessary to fixing the original problem.
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CBS News (1, 2); Yahoo News (3); LA Insurance (4); Better Business Bureau (5); Consumer Reports (6); FindLaw (7)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.