A recent study released by the automotive website CarMD has calculated which vehicles are the most and least expensive to repair. According to the report, based upon repair data culled from the site’s network of 3,000 U.S. car mechanics, the top five least costly car brands to fix are:
- Toyota
- Hyundai
- Honda
- Ford
- General Motors.
The brands in slots six to ten are Mitsubishi, Nissan, Kia, Volkswagen, and Chrysler.
This report differs from other surveys, in that it compares single models and companies overall, and combines the number of repairs with the repair charge to calculate the ranking. Although the report used data for vehicles from 2001 to 2011, the statistics are predominantly taken from 2011 through the first day of October. The study’s ratings of manufacturers were based on a sum of all their brands. For instance, the ranking for General Motors includes brands and models from Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. Toyota’s ranking includes Lexus and Scion.
The highest rated model, or most cost effective to maintain and repair, was the 2009 Toyota Corolla, which not only had scarce visits to the repair shop but also a low median repair charge of $45.84. Other honorable mentions in the report were for the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Edge.
If you think your car is a lemon, contact Southern California lemon attorney Howard D. Silver at (866) 49-LEMON for a complimentary consultation.
Two Maryland men were recently arrested for running a bogus auto repair service out of a Home Depot parking lot. Police were alerted to the suspicious operation by a consumer and caught the two individuals performing incorrect and damaging alterations on a vehicle under the false guise of “professional repair.”
The men (ages 41 and 34) were allegedly posing as licensed mobile car service specialists, police told the Maryland Gazette. Before it was discovered, the fraudulent operation victimized at least two individuals, according to the police. After setting up the false shop in the Home Depot parking lot, they performed improper work on several cars, including one where they used a concrete mud mix (not for use on metal) to patch a vehicle, and another where they used cans of cheap spray paint to mask a problem.
In one instance, an individual paid the men $620 for what he thought would be a repair. What that victim ended up with was approximately $2,500 in damages to the car. The two men are facing charges for malicious destruction of property, and infraction violations from the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. The men were let go on $5,000 bail.
Police cautioned consumers everywhere that if unknown individuals approach you in a commercial parking lot, they most likely are operating fraudulently and should be avoided. If you believe you’ve been the victim of car repair fraud, contact the California car repair fraud attorney Howard D. Silver at (866) 49-LEMON. Call today for a complimentary case review.
A man who operated a fraudulent car repair shop in Wichita, Kansas using a fake name is facing allegations that he scammed over one dozen individuals, according to government officials and the Wichita Eagle newspaper.
Court records indicate 16 instances in which the defendant deceived individuals of over $11,000, plus vehicles. Officials claim they anticipate finding additional victims. The Eagle reported that after Wichita Police were alerted to a single complaint about the business, they unraveled what turned out to be a documented scheme of criminal activity. According to police, the majority of victims were poor, mainly Asian or Hispanic, and spoke little if any English. When victims brought vehicles to the shop for repair, the defendant would require payment upfront, but would never fix the vehicles. In some instances, he even falsely declared the vehicles as lost or stolen from his lot.
The police further reported that the defendant had been convicted for writing fraudulent checks 10 years prior, had been residing in the United States illegally and had been deported numerous times.
This story reminds us that consumers must do extensive research before buying a vehicle. If you think you’ve been the victim of car repair or used car fraud, contact San Bernardino fraud attorney Howard D. Silver at (866) 49-LEMON for a free consultation about your case.
As many as 17 Baltimore police officers are facing federal charges for extortion, reports The Baltimore Sun. So far, two of the officers have pleaded guilty and they may each be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The officers were allegedly involved in a kick-back scheme with a local towing company.
According to federal prosecutors, the officers allegedly directed motorists who had been involved in an accident or whose vehicle had broken down, to use a particular towing company. Officers told the motorists that the company would waive towing fees, aid in filing insurance claims, and save the person money. Many drivers trusted the officers and used the towing company—not knowing that the company was not one of the city’s approved “medallion” companies. For each referral, the towing company allegedly paid the officers $300. The most recent officer to plead guilty in the case admitted to receiving $1,500 in kick-backs from the company.
Most of us are trusting individuals, especially when taking the advice of law enforcement. However, auto-related businesses are not always honest, even those that come recommended. Consumers in California have legal rights when it comes to unfair business practices. If you feel that you have been the victim of repair fraud or taken advantage of in some other way, call California attorney Howard D. Silver. Mr. Silver has been protecting the rights of consumers for more than 20 years and he can help you regain control of your situation. Call 1-866-49-LEMON today for a free evaluation of your case.
The intricate workings of an automobile are hardly common knowledge. Mechanics go through many hours of training, acquire certifications for a variety of automotive tasks, and strive towards understanding the intricate workings of automobiles so that we can rely on their good judgment when diagnosing vehicle problems. Unfortunately, dishonest auto mechanics can place consumers in the precarious position of operating vehicles that they think are safe when in fact they are not.
According to a bclocalnews.com article, an automobile service station was recently cited by police as providing inaccurate vehicle inspection results. Reportedly, the service station was passing vehicles, declaring them free of mechanical defects, when the vehicles were actually in states of disrepair. In some cases, the vehicles should not have been placed back on the road after inspection. Examples of mechanical defects disregarded during the police investigation included fluid leaks, malfunctioning headlights, defective seatbelts, failing tires, and other conditions that were considered detrimental towards protecting the well being of passengers and motorists.
As a consumer, it is important to know that auto repair shops are required to give you a detailed invoice for their work and be honest regarding the condition of your vehicle. Furthermore, mechanics and auto shops have an obligation to properly diagnose vehicle problems, and appropriately repair those problems when asked to do so. If this does not occur, consumers have the right to take legal action.
For more information on how to protect your rights as a consumer when it comes to auto repair fraud, please contact skilled Southern California car repair fraud attorney Howard D. Silver at the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver. Call 866-49-LEMON today for a free consultation.
