An automotive technician is going viral on TikTok after issuing a PSA to drivers who take their cars to dealerships for service, warning that shops don’t always get it right—and in some cases may try to upsell costly repairs. User @menjicar, a master automotive technician based in Los Angeles, shared the story of a woman he says was nearly hit with a massive transmission bill. According to him, an unnamed dealership tried “to charge a lady thousands of dollars for a new transmission or a used one.” He walked viewers through the dealership’s findings. The shop had identified what it described as “fine shavings” in the transmission fluid. But @menjicar said that’s “perfectly fine” in many cases, especially for vehicles with more than 80,000 miles. He added that after the dealership drained the transmission fluid, a warning light appeared. “So, what does that mean?” @menjicar joked, before laying out the diagnosis that he says the dealership gave the customer. He says she was told she needed a new OEM transmission priced at $11,150. A used option, he says, was quoted at roughly $7,000. “Now that’s just crazy,” @menjicar says. He also claims the dealership tried to charge the woman $235 for a “diagnostic.” After inspecting the vehicle himself, @menjicar ran his own test and quickly spotted the issue: The car’s line pressure switch had an internal problem. “That means this sensor is bad,” @menjicar says. Replacing it, he added, cost about $150. “It’s still quite a bit for a sensor, but it sure beats $7,000.” With a new sensor installed and fresh transmission fluid added, he said the vehicle was running normally again. “Just like that, we saved this lady thousands of dollars,” @menjicar says. “Be careful who you take your car to. Don’t trust the dealers.” As of this writing, his video has garnered more than 9,100 views. Should You Get A Second Opinion On Car Repairs? A lot of drivers do, especially when the diagnosis is expensive or comes as a surprise. When you’re suddenly staring down a repair bill in the thousands, it’s not unusual to want someone else to take a look before signing off. That’s particularly true for major work involving engines or transmissions. Big-ticket fixes tend to be where second opinions save people the most money. The same instinct kicks in when a recommendation feels rushed or poorly explained. If a shop can’t clearly walk you through what’s wrong, some customers take that as a signal to slow the process down. It can also matter when the issue itself is murky. Electrical glitches, intermittent warning lights, or problems that come and go don’t always produce the same diagnosis from shop to shop. Pricing can vary, too, especially between dealerships and independent mechanics, which is another reason some drivers compare shops. When seeking out a second look, bringing a written estimate could help another technician see what was flagged and how the costs were calculated. Of course, some drivers stick to describing symptoms rather than repeating the first diagnosis—just to avoid influencing the outcome. There are exceptions, though. Routine maintenance (e.g., oil changes, tire rotations, or standard brake work) typically doesn’t require a second set of eyes, especially if you already trust the mechanic handling it. Even when both shops land on the same conclusion, that extra confirmation often gives drivers more confidence moving forward. Viewers Praise Honest Mechanic Commenters who watched @menjicar’s video said they were struck by his transparency, with many arguing it’s rare to find a technician who doesn’t immediately jump to upsells. One viewer expressed gratitude directly. “We really appreciate you,” she shared. “Wish it was more honest, helpful people out here.” Another reacted to the speed of the diagnosis. “That’s insane! You found the issue quick and the actual dealership couldn’t even do that,” they added. “SMH.” Several people focused on the dealership’s original recommendation, saying they were stunned the customer was nearly pushed into such an expensive repair. “Don’t go to that dealer,” one person remarked, adding the handwriting emoji as if making a mental note. “Holyyyyy,” another reacted. One commenter even took a jab at the unnamed technician involved. “Tech #7666 has been real quiet since this dropped,” they wrote, referencing the dealership employee. Motor1 has reached out to @menjicar via a direct message on TikTok. We will update this story if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team