Owning a car also means going in for routine maintenance and any repairs. Auto owners typically enter their preferred auto repair shop for a quick oil change, hand over the keys, and wait until their car is done.

But often times, these auto owners experience “surprise” problems that are “serious” and need to be taken care of immediately. The bill comes out and it is higher than expected, but it is paid anyway. Here are a few tips to avoid being scammed at the repair shop.

• Check Owner’s Manual for scheduled maintenance chart. (This gives you an estimated interval, from the manufacturer, when you should get an oil change, get your brakes checked, transmission flush, etc.).
• If the mechanic is reporting a leak, have mechanic show you exactly where the leak is. Beware: Mechanics can fake leaks as well.
• Ask for a written estimate before you give the thumbs up for the mechanics to start working on your car.
• Perform your own background check if you recently acquired a used car, and look over reviews of multiple auto shops.
• Appear confident. Some mechanics like to scare customers into getting more things done to their car than they really need. They will use terms like “bad brakes”, “common problems”, “unsafe to ride”, etc.

Whether a leased vehicle or financed, Swapalease.com ensures you get the necessary info you need to know, especially if it is a used car.

Headquartered in Cincinnati Ohio, Swapalease.com is an online marketplace that allows drivers to list their current lease and drivers to look for new leases. For more information on finding the best car lease deals or to learn how you can have a successful car lease trade, visit Swapalease.com or contact them at 866-SWAPNOW.