Additional maintenance during vehicle inspection?! Causes of budget overruns and 5 points to avoid them

"The price is higher than the estimate for the vehicle inspection." "I was told that additional maintenance is required, but is that true?"

──Have you ever had a similar experience? While additional maintenance during vehicle inspections may be necessary for safety reasons, there are also cases where unnecessary maintenance is recommended.

In this article, we will clearly explain the reasons why you may go over budget and five points to prevent unnecessary expenses . If you want to have a car inspection that you can feel safe and satisfied with, be sure to read to the end.

table of contents

1. Main reasons why additional maintenance goes over budget

   ・1-1 Unexpected deterioration or failure during inspection　

   ・1-2 Misunderstanding due to insufficient explanation of maintenance contents

   
   

2. Key points for spotting unnecessary additional maintenance

   ・2-1 Determine whether it is a "safety-related part"　

   ・2-2 Know when to replace parts yourself

   
   

3. Tips for choosing a reliable repair shop

   ・3-1 Will they clearly present the estimate details?　

   ・3-2 Check the "service attitude" from online reviews

   
   

4. Skillful negotiation techniques when additional maintenance is required

   ・4-1 First, ask about "priorities"　

   ・4-2 Check whether you can handle it by "postponing this time"

   
   

5. Preventing budget overruns

   ・5-1 Compare advance quotes from two or more companies　

   ・5-2 Prevent sudden breakdowns with regular maintenance

1. Main reasons why additional maintenance goes over budget

1-1 Unexpected deterioration or failure during inspection

During a vehicle inspection, a focus is placed on safety-related parts such as the brakes and suspension. During inspections, deterioration or damage to parts that was not noticed at the time of the estimate may be discovered. In particular, with cars with high mileage or older models, it is not uncommon for rubber parts and oil seals to have deteriorated unexpectedly. In such cases, repair shops will need to carry out additional maintenance for safety reasons, which will increase costs.

1-2 Misunderstandings due to insufficient explanation of maintenance details

Even if the estimate states that "there may be additional costs after inspection," the user may not fully understand this. There are also cases where the user feels that the price was "inflated without their consent" due to insufficient explanation from the mechanic. Even if the maintenance is actually necessary, it will not be satisfactory unless there is an explanation of "why it is necessary" and "how much it has deteriorated." If the user has any questions, be sure to ask to see photos and parts.

2. Tips for spotting unnecessary additional maintenance

2-1 Determine whether the part is related to safety

If additional maintenance is recommended, first check whether it is a part that directly affects safety. For example, brake pads, tires, and lighting systems are life-threatening and should be replaced promptly. On the other hand, maintenance to maintain appearance and comfort (wiper blades, air conditioner filters, etc.) may be able to be postponed. By asking yourself, "Is it necessary to prioritize safety?", you can avoid unnecessary maintenance.

2-2 Know when to replace parts yourself

If you check your car's instruction manual or maintenance record book, you will find guidelines for replacing major parts . By knowing this, you will be able to judge for yourself whether it is really time to replace the parts. Recently, there are smartphone apps and maintenance history management services that will automatically notify you when it is time to replace the parts. It is important to have the information yourself, rather than just doing what you are told.

3. Tips for choosing a reliable repair shop

3-1 Will they clearly present the estimate details?

A reliable repair shop will clearly explain the cost of each part and the work involved . Be wary of shops that only give vague estimates such as "X yen for the whole set." You can also trust a company that explains the possibility of additional maintenance being required at the estimate stage. A transparent estimate is the first step in preventing problems.

3-2 Check the "Attitude" of Customers from Online Reviews

Online reviews can be helpful, but the most important thing is the attitude of the staff . There are things that you can only see by actually talking to them, such as whether they carefully explain your questions and whether they are pushy with their sales pitch. The key to being able to leave your car in their hands for a long time with peace of mind is to find a mechanic that you feel you want to trust, rather than relying on word of mouth.

4. Good negotiation skills when additional maintenance is required

4-1 First, ask about "priorities"

You don't have to do all the maintenance at once. If additional maintenance is recommended, make sure to prioritize what you need right away and what you can do next time. For example, if you say, "I'd like to skip this one as long as it lasts until the next inspection," most mechanics will be flexible. Planning your maintenance over time is better for your household budget than paying all at once.

4-2 Check whether you can handle it by "postponing it this time"

Simply asking, "Is it okay to skip this part this time?" can make a big difference. A conscientious mechanic will give you specific advice, such as, "It's fine for now, but we'll replace it next time." On the other hand, if they only give you a vague answer like, "All of them are necessary," be careful. Don't go ahead with the repairs without being convinced, but ask to see photos or the actual item to confirm.

5. Take proactive measures to avoid going over budget

5-1 Compare advance quotes from two or more companies

Even for the same car, estimates vary greatly depending on the workshop. Therefore, it is recommended to compare estimates from at least two companies . By comparing the details, you can determine "how carefully this workshop will inspect" and "whether they have included unnecessary items." By simply comparing, you can get a sense of the market price and avoid unnecessary expenses.

5-2 Prevent sudden breakdowns with regular maintenance

The sudden increase in maintenance costs at the time of vehicle inspection is often due to a lack of regular maintenance. By regularly changing the oil and checking tires, you can minimize the additional maintenance required at the time of inspection. For those who think that "vehicle inspection = expensive," we recommend making daily inspections a habit .

Summary: Introduction to our vehicle inspection services

To prevent problems like "additional maintenance exceeded the budget..."

✅Select a reliable dealer

✅Compare and check in advance

✅ Daily maintenance

These are the three key points.

At our "Car Consultation Center," we promise to provide completely transparent service, from preliminary estimates to explanations of maintenance details .

We eliminate unnecessary maintenance and provide safe, secure, and satisfactory vehicle inspections. If you are considering vehicle inspections in the Fukaya City or Kumagaya City area, please feel free to contact us.

👉Click here for the official website