I have recently brought my car to an auto shop for repair. I am afraid they have changed something in my car, like swithed some parts with some old stuffs. My car is 2004 camry, was bought brand new. So how do I check if the parts currently on my car are actually the original parts that came with the car when it first was bought? I see there are serial # on every part, but how do i check that the number is the same number as before, as now i don't have any record of what it was before. So how can i find out what serial numbers are actually belong to my car?
so many questions, so hope you guys be patient and help me out :)
thanks
Andy
2006-10-20 09:54:00 · 73 answers · asked by Andy 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Toyota
It is you who knows more about your car. It is difficult to find out. I owned previously Ford car and it happened, I changed the ball joint. I leave this car to the mechanic and after a couple of days I got my car. It is my attitude to go for wheel alignment whenever I changed this part, so I brought it to the alignment shop. When my car was raised, I noticed one part was missing and I know specifically what was it and its purpose. I informed the mechanic who did change my ball joint, just to tell him that I know it.
Really its very difficult to know, specially the hidden part say the bearing in the knuckle parts. It is not the cost of the parts only but the availability and the procurement way. Imagine you need to change only the gasket and yet you have to buy the whole assembly? They wont even sell you the bearing, but the whole assembly, mostly these are for American cars. It is a lesson for me to know what will be the job and if this can wait, patiently I will also, what stakes here is the life of the driver and passenger.
Now, I get rid of my american car and buy the Japanese car, less cost of spare parts.
2006-10-21 05:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by The young Merlin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-25 16:02:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-08-30 01:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by Rebekah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
once again these cats are giving you good advice on how to check behind a BOOTLEGset of mechanics. ok Andy, i work on cars all the time and i know how to do things right. as said before everybody had good ideas but they didn't mention this. no mechanic or any tradesmen is perfect. on any job a mistake is made. a painter will spill paint or over spray. a plumber will leave oil and dirt on some pipes. look behind an auto mechanic and see if the bolts and screws in \or on the part have been chipped or scratched and you'll know if your care has been worked on at all. there is no true way to search for parts that may have come from other cars. actually, most prts that go on old and new cars are remanufactured so really it'll be hard. writing down the part nos. will lead to alot of det.work. if your car is running write let it be. your warranty for their work should take care of the rest. NO DISPUTE with that.
2006-10-21 16:15:12 · answer #4 · answered by Denton P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Andy,
First and foremost you'd want to request all your old parts. Before you take your car in to the shop make some kind of marking on the part that is going to be worked on or replaced so, you would be looking for that when your parts are returned. Make sure you tell the mechanic that you want your old parts(before you leave your car & put it on the work order too) or better yet tell him that either you or someone you know has been burned by another mechanic and you just want to be sure that you're getting what your paying for. That's only far.
Check his license as well because you can take him to court if the work was not completed like the work order states. Small claims court.
As far as you serial numbers you can get them for the dealer or they should be your VIN.
2006-10-21 12:21:31 · answer #5 · answered by CarmenMarie V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
always ask for all parts they replaced and if they won't they are not to be trusted. make sure when you get a work order they put that in writing and they must sign. some places will say the mechanic threw out the parts already. then you will know the truth. small claims after and you will win because everyone knows about their reputation! I did more than once its a pain but you will smile at the end and repair will cost you nothing and you don't have to have them repair or touch your car again just pay your bill and then some.
2006-10-22 11:38:49 · answer #6 · answered by arls 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Andy, I have gone through this. Honestly I dont trust independent car mechanics much (very few are honest), and its really very difficult to verify if the car parts has been replaced or worse yet stolen! So the best solution if you have a new car, such as yours, I would take it its own COMPANY. So if you have a new Toyota that you care about, next time I would take it to the Toyota Company maintenance unit...I would pay a little more, but atleast I get 'peace of mind' from a formal world class corporation. Professional units with professional management, employee and their supervisors who follow formal policies, standards, and procedures in operating on cars with high quality management.
Probably you can also have the option of buying a warranty cotract from them for a period of 3 years for example, where u can take it and fix it 'free' anytime throughout this period.
2006-10-22 02:49:22 · answer #7 · answered by coolblue 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know from being a woman who has had work done that I always ask to see the part that was removed. Always. Since you know about the serial numbers, I would check them, but don't really know how if the new part has the same number. It is usually pretty obvious, though, if a part is new or used.
I'm pretty lucky, I know my mechanic very well, and he always explains in detail what he had to do, and what he had to replace. He also usually has me go purchase the new parts and bring them to him.
Good luck. Car repairs can be nerve wracking.
2006-10-22 16:55:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is quite simple, take the Vin# of your car to your local Toyota Dealer, with that number they can give you a print out from the factory with every part that was put on @ Assembly. then check the part or parts you think might have been changed. An Old school rule if your spiddie sense is tingling stay away from that shop go to a different one
2006-10-22 14:09:00 · answer #9 · answered by Richard W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is your car acting better or worse now, its been in the auto shop mechanics hand? Did you get a warranty for the work or part put in?
If I were youk, start writing down the parts numbers in your car. And check them later, after the mechanic turns the car back to you.
Check with the Better Busines Bueau on this mechanics garage. See why he is not listed or is. www.bbb.org
2006-10-22 13:26:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋