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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

One of the things I learned from my dad is that it pays to find a good auto repair shop and stick with it. True enough, I have tried using more than one shop, based on what I needed done to my car. Every time, I found myself going back to one shop that knew my car and the car's history. I had found that shop not too long ago. They had offered help with everything from rebuilding engines to dent repair. The shop is located near my home, and they keep records that went back for years. Thanks to the long history, they always knew what to do when something was not working as it should. If you think that finding one shop to meet all your needs is a good idea, let me help. With a little effort, you'll know exactly where to take your vehicle any time it needs some work.

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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

Used Car Buying: Understanding Airbag Fraud

by Noelle Snyder

Used car dealers typically do a great job of making sure that the cars they are selling are everything they advertise them to be. But in some cases, damage or issues with a vehicle can get missed by the dealer's mechanics. As you inspect any used vehicle before a purchase, you should know what to look for to make sure your car is going to live up to your expectations. One of the things you should look out for is airbag fraud.

What Is Airbag Fraud?

Airbags are worth a lot of money, making them a desirable target for thieves. The New York Police Department estimates that 75,000 airbags are stolen out of vehicles every year. Thieves can break into cars and steal the airbags just as they would steal any other item from a vehicle. Sometimes, a dishonest mechanic will remove the airbag while doing other work on a vehicle and replace the bag with paper, rags or other materials. They then seal up the airbag compartment so the owner never knows what happened. This is the type of airbag fraud that used car buyers should be aware of. If the previous owner and the used car dealership don't know the car has become a victim of airbag fraud, you may end up purchasing a vehicle that isn't safe.

What Can You Look For?

There are a few things you can look for that will help yo determine if the car might have had its airbags tampered with. Look at the airbag indicator lights first. If they do not come on or if you notice that the bulb that illuminates this part of the dash appears to be missing, the car may have been tampered with. The seat belts should snap back into place after being pulled. If they move slowly back into their original position, this could be a sign that the airbags have been deployed or removed without a proper replacement.

How Can The Dealer Help?

Your used car dealer wants to make sure you get a safe and secure car. If you suspect there is an issue with the vehicle's airbag system, ask the dealer to have a mechanic inspect the system and make sure that all airbags are in place and installed properly. The dealer can also provide you with a detailed car history that indicates whether or not the airbags have ever been deployed. If they have, you should ask for a detailed inspection to ensure the bags were actually replaced. A fraudulent repair person might pocket the money paid to provide a replacement airbag and instead stuff the compartment with packing materials to make a profit.

Whenever you purchase a used car, you'll want to make sure you pay close attention to the airbags. Buying a car with a great safety rating and excellent safety features only works in your favor if those safety features are actually functioning. Partner with a professional used car dealer like U Pick U Save to make sure your car is safe and reliable before you drive off the lot.

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