One irate TikTok creator is saying a mechanic’s claim that “We checked everything” cost him $1,329.30. In a TikTok video that has over 49,000 views, the Cincinnati-area Tuparelli (@ johnnytuparelli) is seeking legal redress for a minor repair he’s saying his mechanic almost missed. He claims that he took his 2015 Ford Flex in for a repair because it would stall out at red lights and stop signs. He says the mechanic told him he did a full diagnostic on the vehicle. The verdict? The high-pressure fuel pump was going bad. ‘Listen Up All You Super Mechanics’ “You wanna know why I don’t like or trust car mechanics?” he rhetorically asks. He says the high-pressure fuel pump for the now-discontinued Flex was $900.00. But before signing off on the fix, Tuparelli says he asked if it could be “something electronically or something else?” He says the mechanic reassured him that he checked everything, and the high-pressure fuel pump was 100% the problem. Tell us what you think! View Comments Stalling Out All Over The Place The second time he drives the Flex after the repair, Tuparelli says it starts “stalling out, but worse.” So it is towed back to the garage. But seven days later, he says he still hasn’t heard from the mechanic. So he calls and is told the problem is figured out. But the mechanic needs just a couple more days. Fed up, Tuparelli contacts his lawyer. The first thing his lawyer asks: “What did your diagnostic invoice say?” “I never got one,” is Tuparelli’s reply. All they gave him, he alleges, is a receipt. That document just shows the cost for the high-pressure fuel pump, diagnostic test, and labor fees. Legally, his lawyer says, they’re required to provide the complete diagnosis. So, Tuparelli goes to the shop to ask for it, and he says the mechanic asks for a couple of hours in which to complete it. This fires up Tuparelli’s suspicions that the repair shop is about to “doctor” the paperwork. He says, “No.” “You’re supposed to have that [expletive] in your records. I already talked to my lawyer. I want it, right now,” he demands. Once in-hand, Tuparelli can see that the mechanic checked only four things: the fuel pump and the gas tank, the fuel pump control modulator, the fuel filter, and the high-pressure fuel pump on the motor. Tuparelli alleges that this is in direct conflict with the “everything” he was assured the shop checked. What Was Really Wrong With The Ford Flex? The next day, Tuparelli says he gets a call: the vehicle is fixed. But the mechanic is hemming and hawing about what was wrong. Ultimately, the mechanic tells him it was the low-pressure fuel sensor—a $55 part. “You know what a bad low-pressure fuel sensor does?” Tuparelli asks. “It causes a high-pressure fuel pump to not function properly.” But the big sting? When Tuparelli spoke with his brother-in-law, a certified master mechanic, that expert said “the fuel sensor woulda been one of the first [expletive] things I checked.” ‘Not An Exact Science’ In addition to the usual comments section experts, a few folks take issue with Tuparelli’s characterizations. TxBuck (@93ret_vet) writes, “Can’t vouch for the shop that worked on your vehicle. But after 30+ years in the business, I can tell you it's not an exact science. I possibly would’ve refunded your money.” While Danny (@Dannylt4) pragmatically notes that the cost of a lawyer would be over $1,300. Another mechanic, Bryan Pongratz (@bryanpongratz), weighs in, “Coming from someone that owns a shop, these cars are getting extremely hard to diagnose. Even though we all know those vehicles have an issue with the fuel pressure sensors he might not be aware. Its an honest missed diag.” What Does A Person Need In Order To Sue A Mechanic? Suing a mechanic can be tricky. But there are certain instances when fiscal redress can be appropriate. These include instances of fraud, “like being charged for ‘new’ parts that actually came from a junkyard.” Poor workmanship (like the car breaks down right after you retrieve it) and the possibility of damage to the vehicle while in the shop’s care. Finally, if you pay for work that’s never done, that is actionable. In order to prove any of these things, you’ll want to save evidence. This means correspondence, receipts, estimates or invoices, and photos. You also might want to take your vehicle to get a second opinion. “You can use that estimate later in small claims court to prove that the car was improperly repaired and how much you will need to fix it,” JusticeDirect states. As for Tuparelli, he says, “I’m not trying to roast the guy. I’ve got $1,500 into it, and I’m asking for about $700 back. I think that’s more than fair.” Motor1 reached out to Johnny Tuparelli via TikTok direct message and with a comment on his post. We will update this if he gets back to us. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team