I’ve been a professional technician for nearly 20 years, since right out of high school in fact. I’ve worked in some of the largest dealerships in the country, and one or two of the smallest. In all of my years in the field, I’ve always prided myself on several things: professionalism, customer service, accurate diagnosis, and compassion towards my customers’ financial situation, to name a few.

Unfortunately, not all professional mechanics and repair center owner/operators are created equal. It’s very easy for your mechanic to be misleading, or downright dishonest, with you about your vehicle’s repair needs. After all, they’re the experts you’re trusting one of your most expensive, and least understood, possessions to. With a charming smile, a personable attitude, and a sense of camaraderie, they can, and will, take advantage of your confidence.

I’ve seen this happen too many times in the industry I love. I’ve heard too many stories from disgruntled customers, treated poorly at the hands of an unscrupulous mechanic. So, I’ve decided to break the “code of silence” that exists in the field of mechanical repair. Here are five things your mechanic doesn’t want you to know.