YourMechanic.com YourMechanic Inspection fee & warranty scam Nationwide

YourMechanic.com provided service on my truck. I was charged a $70 inspection fee and a $291 repair fee. The purported repair did not fix the problem.

I initially called YourMechanic for a problem with my truck. A Mechanic came out and diagnosed a spark plug problem, and I was charged $70 inspection fee.

The following day, the Mechanic changed the spark plugs and charged me $291 for the repair work. I requested the credit of the $70 towards the work total as had always been done in the past. The Mechanic informed me the company was no longer crediting the inspection fee to the work total and that the phone representative should have disclosed this to me at the time of booking the inspection. The mechanic agreed not to close the invoice until I could contact YourMechanic about the billing issue. When I did contact the company, I was told that the new policy appeared on their website; however, as I told them, I did not book through the website, but rather by telephone and was therefore not put on proper notice of their changed billing policy that was less than one month old.

Worse than the billing issue, was the fact that the same problems I had called about initially remained (i.e. the truck was misfiring, there was significant hesitation on acceleration from a stop  and the RPMs were bouncing around with the misfires, causing near stalling conditions. The same day as the repair, I notified YourMechanic in writing that the "repair" had not worked. I received no response. The following day, I called YourMechanic and made my complaint to a customer service representative. The rep informed me that I would have to make a formal Warranty claim and sent me an e-mail detailing all of the documents and pictures they would require. I submitted all of the requested items and a "warranty inspection" was scheduled.

I was present during the inspection and the mechanic doing the inspection determined that while the spark plugs had been replaced, at least one, and possibly more, ignition coils (the wires connecting the spark plugs to the motor) were not connecting properly to the plugs resulting in the misfiring. The inspecting mechanic stated that this was something that would be obvious to, and should have been picked up on by, any mechanic changing the spark plugs. He also confirmed that the damage to the ignition coils could not have occurred after the changing of the plugs. The inspecting mechanic submitted his report and I have followed up both in writing and via telephone at least ten (10) times in the twelve (12) days since the inspection. Each time I get put off and no decision on an issue that is clearly covered under the warranty has been made and I have been without the use of my vehicle for over 2.5 weeks while YourMechanic continues their practice of delay and deny.

Coincidentally, the day I filed a report with BBB, YourMechanic made a determination that despite the fact that their own inspecting mechanic had stated the problem was a faulty ignition coil, they believe my problem stemmed from a "pre-existing oil leak" from the gasket seal. This was something that was never mentioned to me or suggested as a repair. Now YourMechanic is charging me an additional $70 for the "warranty inspection" and had the nerve to send me a quote for the repair of the ignition coils!

The diagnosis was clearly incorrect as the problems with my truck remain. Thus, the $70 inspection fee should be refunded. The repair work associated with the improper diagnosis (i.e. replacement of the ignition coils), per the warranty, should be performed immediately at no charge to me and the "warranty inspection" fee should be refunded.

In my personal opinion, this company is scamming people by advertising that their rates ($70/hr.) are less than auto repair shops; however, when you add the inspection fee of $70 to their rates, they are adding the equivalent of an additional hour of work, when the "inspection" literally takes minutes. Thus, their rates are actually higher than most shops and delerships. Further, their warranty process is designed to deny all claims and rope you into additional costs for the "warranty inspection" ($70) and further work. Once this was all said and done, I paid $431 for a spark plug change and the problems with my truch have not been addressed. YourMechanic ignored their own inspector's report and recommendation in order to avoid having to redress the initial incorrect diagnosis and unnecessary work. User Beware of YourMechanic.