An auto tech was left flabbergasted by a pushy customer who refused to have his truck diagnosed at a shop, opting instead to place his trust in AutoZone and ChatGPT. Master automotive technician and TikTok user Basshead Mechanic (@basshead_mechanic) posted a re-enactment of his conversation with a client who demanded a repair without allowing the shop to independently figure out what was wrong with his ride. Using ChatGPT To Diagnose Car Problems The auto tech says the customer asked them to install a cam sensor in their truck. They went to AutoZone for diagnostics and were told there was a potential problem with this component. Then they did a bit of digging online. "There was a list like a bunch of different things it could be, so I asked ChatGPT and it also said cam sensor. So I want you guys to put a cam sensor in," they purportedly told Basshead Mechanic. The mechanic was skeptical. "Well we could do that. Probably be a better idea if we diagnose it first," he replied. The owner wasn’t willing to pay for that, though. "I already went to the AutoZone, they diagnosed it and I confirmed it with ChatGPT. You guys are always trying to scam somebody," they replied. "Well, what’s the truck doing? At least tell me that," Basshead Mechanic said. The customer responded that there were "a bunch of lights flashing" on the dashboard and that the vehicle wasn’t "running right." Additionally, they said that whenever they try to accelerate, the vehicle barely moves. Can You Trust Diagnostics And ChatGPT For Car Repairs? After another rant, the customer insisted they simply replace the cam sensor. The mechanic agreed, but with a disclaimer: he wouldn’t guarantee it’d fix the issue. The customer didn’t seem too thrilled with this proposition, but went along with it. The shop replaced the cam sensor, but the truck's issues persisted. Then they asked if they’d like to perform a diagnosis to try and get to the root of the problem. The customer was in disbelief. They maintained that AutoZone and ChatGPT must be correct. "They’re not lying to me. Are you guys lying to me? You guys trying to scam me here?" they asked. "Oh no sir, not at all. That’s why I offered to diagnose it before we charged to throw that part on. But that ship’s already sailed unfortunately. So you are gonna have to pay for that," Bass Mechanic replied. The clip ends with the customer asking ChatGPT, "How do I know if I’m being scammed?" Using AI to Diagnose Car Issues In advertisements, the developer of ChatGPT, OpenAI, has suggested that its software can be used as a vehicle repair assistant. Some mechanics have shared their experiences using AI to help identify the root issues in cars. Bodyshop Magazine reports that "ChatGPT can accurately diagnose common car faults." The outlet says UK-based repair assistant FixMyCar worked with an auto repair shop to test the AI’s ability to properly diagnose motor vehicle issues. A mechanic weighed in on the answers ChatGPT provided, saying that many of the fixes recommended in response to the prompts required specialized tools. Which means that consumers looking to DIY these issues may find themselves unable to do so. However, he went on to state that none of the replies offered by the software were "inherently inaccurate or dangerous," i.e., the mechanic found no harm in ChatGPT’s recommendations. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should take AI’s recommendations as an incontrovertible truth and act on them, as Basshead Mechanic demonstrates in his TikTok. As he notes in the caption, "More often than not, AI is wrong. It is a tool, and like most tools, it is useless in the wrong hands." Motor1 has reached out to ChatGPT via email and Basshead Mechanic via TikTok direct message for further comment. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team