1. Understand how a service repair station works. Mechanics are in business to make money. That doesn’t mean that they are out to rip you off, but some of them may “pad the bill” or find other ways to make money from you. If you go in knowing this, you can be more skeptical about what they tell you if it seems a little “off.”

2. Take someone with you. If you know somebody that knows something about cars, they can help you decide what’s necessary and what’s not.

3. Make your budget known. If the mechanic knows exactly how much they have to work with, they can provide less expensive options for you. When you make it clear that you’ll be paying for the repairs instead of your parents, they might go easier on you. Only after you get your estimate for repairs.

4. Visit www.honestautoestimates.com before going to the mechanic. For a small fee, you can get an idea about how much your repairs should cost before you even visit the mechanic. That way, you’ll at least have a reference point from which to base your decision before shelling out a bunch of money.

Remember, not all mechanics are out to scam you. But the ones that are give the honest ones a bad name. Just be careful and patient and you won’t get ripped off.