Woman realizes her family mechanic has been scamming her for years, so she decides to go to trade school and fix it herself: 'We're so close he comes to Thanksgiving'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Nov 9, 2025 5:00 PM EST

Sometimes, the people you trust most end up being the ones who take advantage of you, especially when they assume you don't know better. One woman shared her infuriating story about how her family's longtime mechanic (a man so close he came to Thanksgiving) slowly ruined her car while pretending to fix it.

Over the course of two years, every repair seemed to lead to another mysterious issue. The final straw came when her headlight went out. The mechanic claimed the headlight bay was broken and would take days to fix, only for her to later discover the bulb was simply out. Meanwhile, her car's steering, brakes, and muffler were all deteriorating.

After realizing she'd been misled—and likely overcharged—she decided to take matters into her own hands. Literally.

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  • She’s now applying to trade school to become a mechanic herself, determined never to be taken advantage of again.

    If you want things done the right way, sometimes you just have to do it yourself. 

  • Cheezburger Image 10573466880
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • "Found out my mechanic was lying to me and deteriorating my car for cash by learning to work on it myself"

    PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - My dad gave me his car for daily after I totalled my old daily in a mistake in 2023 (ion even wanna talk abt the details of that story) and told me only to take it to the family mechanic.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Dudes been working on all of our cars for years, so close he comes to thanksgiving with his wife and daughter who's best friends with my youngest cousin.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Over the last 2 years every time I've taken it in for a part fix, he'd come back telling me abt something else that was needing fixing.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Dude knows I'm a broke mid 20s woman, but somehow, something that didn't seem an issue before suddenly is a noticeable issue after visiting.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Got to the point my car has drastically deteriorated to being almost unsafe to drive, my friends get in and get scared of the noises and how my steering wheel shakes.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - So for the actual start of the events, my headlight goes out earlier this spring, I take it in, I leave the car with him.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I tell him take care of any other issues you can in the day if possible, he says gotcha.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - 8 hours. Full day leave. I come back 1hr before close for my car as agreed, he tells me he fixed my steering rod and replaced callipers.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I say great, thanks! How's headlight? He goes awkward and quiet. Says "we couldn't do it.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Something wrong with the headlight bay." I say "wdym?" He says "it's complicated. It'll take a bit longer to fix that." I say "well I don't got time for that let's organize another day then how much time you need?" "...could take a few days." For a headlight bay??
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I pay him for the callipers and steering rod and leave. Suddenly my car is insanely loud, roaring and rumbling?
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - My steering wheel shakes every time I brake from speeds over 60km/h? My brakes feel more worn?
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - "This is gonna be expensive..." I take the car back a week later, "oh yeah, I took the muffler cap off cz it was worn but didn't have a replacement." “..huh... is that safe?" "It's mostly aesthetic/sound control.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - You'll be good, won't be a problem." "Can you order a new one?" "I looked in our shipper system and can't find the model." "Can you tell me the model?
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Maybe I can find it and just bring it in." "It's discontinued. That's the problem." "So... a part for a vital component on a 15 year old car is... discontinued..?" "Happens.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - We think the other stuff is cz of a wiring issue. Cars old, it's a Kia, they're shit cars." I nod suspiciously and leave.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Jolting in steering wheel continues, loud engine noise continues, my car starts drifting to the right, my headlight is still MIA, and I've spent thousands for nothing to change but get worse.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I get suspicious, taking it back in for a check one final time. One of his boys, a younger guy my age range, says to him after test driving, "it's definitely still loud, and I see what she means about the drift" He cuts him off "it's not drifting I took it for a test drive after she dropped it off this morning and it was fine." The guy falls awkwardly silent and walks away.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - The wife comes out and gives me my keys. She says "mechanics have it hard yknow.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - We spend all day working on their cars and get accused of being sketchy and just in it to steal peoples money.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - We're just like any other business, we can't work miracles." I nod, "right right yeah fr I get it" but I'm sus.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Months go by, I won't go back, I don't know any other mechanics to go to.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I got trust issues now. My car continues to deteriorate. My back right taillight burns out last week.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Some guy lets me know at a stop sign he just watched it burn out. "Oh shit, thanks for telling me." I get frustrated and stressed.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - It's November. I live in Canada. Half the day is Darkness. I decide "fuck it I'll figure out for myself." Call my ex over, who knows less about cars than I do, but figure it helps to have a dude around cz my girlfriends are virtually useless when it comes to cars.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - Love em dearly but they couldn't tell a civic from a corolla with a gun to their head.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - We buy new bulbs, take the bays out. Bing bam. Nothing was wrong. Headlight bulb is just dead.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - My mechanic had me convinced it was a wiring issue which is expensive and time consuming and takes real expertise.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - So, all this long ass story to say of the entire year of suffering and watching my car deteriorate and losing years off it's life?
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I am now gonna just become a mechanic myself. Going to apply for trade school, teach myself diagnostics, fix the issues and maybe trade in for a new daily, get a fixer next spring for practice, teach myself what I need.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - I'd rather know what's wrong with my car firsthand and fix it myself than trust another dude to treat me like some dumb girl.
    via PresentBox7530
  • Cheezburger Image 10573466624
    via Darren Richardson For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - And he was kinda right, maybe I am some dumb girl, but I'm waking up and locking in.
    via PresentBox7530
  • PresentBox7530 https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1oqkzrv/found_out_my_mechanic_was_lying_to_me_and/ - This is what women mean when they say sexism in the car community is a disease, you can't even just be a regular girl and it not essentially nearly ruin your life.
    via PresentBox7530
  • GeneQuadruplehorn That guy is definitely pulling some shit. No mechanic I have ever gone to has started doing work before I approved the cost, and they absolutely don't remove "worn" parts without being able to get a replacement. The wife was telling on him by trying to run cover for him. It's awesome that you are going all in on this. Never let them get away with bullshit like "it's complicated" again.
    via GeneQuadruplehorn
  • OP PresentBox7530 No yeah fr. I was sussed as hell when we had that convo, talking to his wife basically confirmed my suspicions for me! I gave him one final chance for diagnostics, and came up with thousands more in repairs recommended. He listed off 7 issues! That was when I said not today, not ever.
    via PresentBox7530
  • Corvonte Women being mechanically inclined is always a positive. I got into cars myself over sketch and sus people. One day, I picked up a wrench, watched a youtube video and did it myself. I was 19 with no tools or experience, so I went to harbor freight and grabbed a master tool set for 200 bucks at the time (same set goes for 100 bucks today). Ive since gotten 5/8 automotive certifications and a few in Diesel/Heavy Truck and gave my old harbor freight set to my little brother, who now works o
    via Corvonte
  • OP PresentBox7530 I wish I woke up sooner lol.. | used to date a car guy who took care of my car concerns and didn't get my first car till 21 actually. 24 now and tired! Props to you at 19!
    via PresentBox7530
  • KingRichard4342 You're gonna hate me for this, but have a dude take it in first, refuse the work (pay a diagnostic fee) then take it back a week or 2 later yourself. That's when you find the ripoff artists. Proud of you for taking the initiative to learn your own basic repairs! YOU GO!!!
    via KingRichard4342
  • OP PresentBox7530 This is actually a good idea as much as yeah I hate it lol. Thanks!
    via PresentBox7530
  • GeneQuadruplehorn I definitely think just for safety sake you should try to trade this car for another because who knows what all he messed with. It would be fun to see his reaction the next time he comes over for Thanksgiving that his time bomb is gone. My guess is he would offer to do a free diagnostic on your new car just to make sure everything looks good.
    via GeneQuadruplehorn
  • OP PresentBox7530 I want to so bad. My dad gets mad everytime I mention it and fights tooth and nail for me not to, saying I'm just giving up and it's symbolistic of my character I'm gonna get it fixed as best I can with my own work and a new shop with good references then trade it off. I don't feel safe with it and the winter is looking brutal already before snow has fallen!
    via PresentBox7530
  • Effective_Moose_4997 Did you ever tell your dad the family mechanic was ripping you off?
    via Effective_Moose_4997
  • OP PresentBox7530 Yeah he just got mad and didn't believe me told me not to talk abt people like that and all I said was "I think [family mechanic] is ripping me off. Every issue you keep calling out only starts after taking it in to him and he's been dancing around fixing them." He said it's my fault I don't take care of the car and I have nobody but myself to blame I said Ok I spent $4600 last year and so far this year $7800 in repairs and have the bills to prove it and nothing gets better but
    via PresentBox7530
  • PugGrumbles Do you still live at home? Kinda sounds like your dad has some sort of issue admitting he's wrong. Most dads would be outraged at the dude clearly scamming you. Instead, yours is insisting that you are the problem and degrading you and your character for questioning it. That's sad.
    via PugGrumbles
  • OP PresentBox7530 I live with my grandparents, my dad and I never had the greatest relationship till we kinda brokered a sense of peace in recent years. I was a brat and a bitch growing up for reasons I don't want to disclaim here, and he was a hard head who could never truly get past his regrets of my mom or figure me out. We've both calmed down in recent years, most people would say me more so due to a lot of therapy work, but he's made his own changes on his own and I still have love and resp
    via PresentBox7530
  • Nimindir One time, my mom got her car checked out right before our monthly 8-hour trip to visit my dad. In the middle of nowhere, driving on the side of a canyon, my mom heard a sound she compared to getting a flat tire, and the engine gave out. She had just enough oomph to pull to the shoulder, and since this was before cell phones, we spent HOURS waiting for someone to pull over so we could ask them to call us a tow when they got to the next town. Mom's first stop when we got back home was the
    via Nimindir
  • OP PresentBox7530 That's awful! What's crazy to me is my mechanic IS the owner of his shop! How could you do this stuff in your own business name and to a long time family that you have sat down AT THEIR TABLES for years with! He's best friends with my uncle. What's worse is I know that even when I inevitably drop the ball next thanksgiving (he's lucky I was sick this one and my brother has very young children so I stayed home for health concerns and didn't figure this out until now) my family i
    via PresentBox7530
  • moszippy My mom took her car to a place that was known for trying to scam their customers. But she only needed an oil change, so I figured there wouldn't be a problem. They told her that the windshield wipers needed to be changed. But the funny thing was, I had changed them for her the day before. She called me while she was talking to them and asked me if I had changed the wipers yesterday. I said yes. She said they said they needed replacing. I told her to call the cops. I still had the receip
    via moszippy
  • OP PresentBox7530 Omg this just reminded me of when I took my same car for an oil change to a place by my old work last year, and the guys told me the same thing! They then installed wipers that were too long and started smacking the frame, bill came out $170 for oil, air filter, AND wipers. I said "that's not right you shouldn't charge that much." They said "the bills automatically counted we don't control the price." I to this day wish I'd reported it. Good on you!
    via PresentBox7530
  • SirisC That much on a 15 year old Kia ... At some point it's cheaper to replace the car, you're well past that point.
    via SirisC
  • OP PresentBox7530 Trust me, I know. Last year when I saw the bills racking was when I first began talking about it, but my dad put the pressure and guilt on, pulling the "I didn't give you this car just to sell it off or trade it in. You're going to drive it into the ground, the right way." card and I folded. If I don't listen to him, I never hear the end of it! Starting to get real tired of it, though, seeing how much it continues to cost me...
    via PresentBox7530
  • Zestyclose_Media_548 I think your dad can't accept that his friend was screwing you over. I'm sorry. I always get a male figure to help with car things because I don't have time for the bullshit and being treated as less than.
    via Zestyclose_Media_548
  • OP PresentBox7530 Sadly this isn't the first time he's chosen a friend over his daughters reality... I just had to learn to make peace with both if I wanted an at least somewhat stable parent around. I don't want to get into the depths and details. of my family or upbringing for privacy, but my mom makes him look like a saint lol.
    via PresentBox7530

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blue collar employee maintenance auto shop drama thanksgiving car work trade school mechanic workplace scam family car problems
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