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How much do you know about your car? Are you someone who loves to change your own oil, change your own tires and spend your weekends polishing its body until it is spotless? Or does the extent of your car knowledge only include how to put gas in the tank and how to drive around? Somehow, many of us can manage to get by knowing the absolute minimum about the vehicles that we use every day because we rely on the experts at an auto shop. But no matter how polite they are to our faces, those experts might be laughing at our incompetence the second we’re out the door and sharing photos of our precious vehicles online… 

We’ve gone through the Just Rolled Into the Shop subreddit to find some of the most hilarious and ridiculous examples of things mechanics deal with every single day, so you too can appreciate what goes on in the mysterious world of an auto shop. Some of these posts will require a basic understanding of cars to know what is happening, but if you are an auto enthusiast, you'll be sure to get a kick out of some of these hopelessly confused drivers. Enjoy this list that will hopefully give you a greater appreciation for your mechanic, and be sure to upvote all of the pictures of situations that you would not have believed without seeing proof. Then if you’re interested in even more of these wild pics from auto shops, be sure to check out Bored Panda’s previous publications on this same subreddit here and here.

#1

This Stray Hung Out In The Yard Over The Weekend Then Rolled In My Bay. Now He’s Mine

This Stray Hung Out In The Yard Over The Weekend Then Rolled In My Bay. Now He’s Mine

Duke_Meridian Report

Everyone’s idea of how much maintenance is required to take care of a car is different. Some people are fine with a car wash every now and then, filling up the tank when needed and an oil change when that dreaded light indicates that “service is required”. On the other hand, some people inspect every inch of their vehicles and work hard to keep them in pristine condition. They take pride in keeping the exterior looking sparkling and the internal health in tip top shape as well. But regardless of how well you treat your car, unless you yourself are a mechanic, you’re going to have to see one eventually.

Similarly to how doctors have horror stories of injuries you would have to see to believe, every mechanic can tell their fair share of stories about the stupidest things people have done to their vehicles. To provide a place where mechanics can share these crazy stories and laugh about the incompetence of the average driver, the Just Rolled Into the Shop subreddit was born. The page, which has 1.8 million members at the moment, states that it is “for those absolutely stupid things that you see people bring, roll, or toss into your place of business and the people that bring them in”. And clearly, there are infinite examples of those...

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#3

I Got $10 Off My Oil Change Because I "Fulfilled The Destiny" Of The Tech Who Had To Report My Mileage

I Got $10 Off My Oil Change Because I "Fulfilled The Destiny" Of The Tech Who Had To Report My Mileage

Pinfari13 Report

Cars are one thing that most of us can get through life knowing very little about. It would definitely be beneficial to understand the inner workings of our vehicles, and it could even save us some money if we could solve some of our cars' issues at home. But the fact is that it takes effort to learn about them. There is no “auto shop” requirement in school, but that's why the experts exist. So we don’t ever have to repair our cars ourselves. 

But according to one study of 2,000 Americans, many people know an embarrassingly small amount about their vehicles. Well, that’s not necessarily true. They know something, but a quarter of them admitted knowing that their cars are in need of a repair yet they continue to take the risk of driving them every day. But shockingly, far more people have something wrong with their cars that they might not have even been aware of. 68% of the study participants’ cars had at least one thing wrong with them, and 36% of the participants did not know the first thing about changing a tire.

#5

I Present To You All The 5 Elements Of Tire: Fire Element, Water Element, Ice Element, Plant Element, And Bruce Willis 5th Element

I Present To You All The 5 Elements Of Tire: Fire Element, Water Element, Ice Element, Plant Element, And Bruce Willis 5th Element

kambesama Report

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There are plenty of basic car care routines that many of the participants of this study did not know, from half of them not being confident that they could change their car's oil to one third of them not knowing which oil their car requires in the first place. Even having to jump their vehicle’s battery would be a difficult task for a quarter of Americans, if their battery were to die. And about 20% of them could not confidently check the tire pressure on their car.

What’s hiding underneath the hood is a mystery to many Americans, with less than half of them being able to locate their car’s engine in an image. But despite their lack of understanding of their vehicles, many people still don’t feel comfortable dealing with a mechanic. Perhaps it is due to embarassment from not knowing how to take care of their cars, but 54% of Americans admit they are intimidated by mechanics. After seeing this list though, I don't blame them. For all they know, they could be being mocked online for having snow under their car's hood or going years without changing their air filters!

#8

Nothing Stupid Here. It Is Actually Very Thoughtful Of The Customer To Leave A Note Like This On The Windshield. A Lot Of Time Service Writer Could Not Write A Proper Story…

Nothing Stupid Here. It Is Actually Very Thoughtful Of The Customer To Leave A Note Like This On The Windshield. A Lot Of Time Service Writer Could Not Write A Proper Story…

theminimalist2018 Report

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#9

What Do You Guys Use To Push No Starts Around The Yard? Behold; The Goat

What Do You Guys Use To Push No Starts Around The Yard? Behold; The Goat

akbane Report

A common fear when taking your car to a mechanic is that you might be paying way too much money. How is it that any time you pop in for a simple oil change or tire rotation the mechanic mysteriously finds 5 other things that must be done immediately or the car will put you in immense danger the second you drive off the lot? You got to the auto shop just fine, so it does not seem likely that getting home will be a problem. It can be difficult to know whether a repair is actually necessary or if the mechanic is trying to pull a fast one on you, so we consulted BlueToro’s blog to find out some of the most common ways sketchy mechanics try to overcharge their customers. 

#10

When A Car Sits On The Lot Too Long

When A Car Sits On The Lot Too Long

ConRadio26 Report

#11

Found This On The Underside Of A Woman’s Car Today… Needless To Say She’s A Little Freaked Out. Rechargeable With 4g Sim Card In It

Found This On The Underside Of A Woman’s Car Today… Needless To Say She’s A Little Freaked Out. Rechargeable With 4g Sim Card In It

delslow419 Report

#12

This Is What Happens When You Change Your Oil Religiously. Bmw 335i 180k Miles. Beautiful

This Is What Happens When You Change Your Oil Religiously. Bmw 335i 180k Miles. Beautiful

OilBurninAudi Report

According to BlueToro, one practice some shady mechanics deploy is claiming that they replaced a part or performed a certain job, and charging for it, but never actually doing it. “It’s not uncommon for us to tend to a basic car service for a new customer where a major service was said to have been performed by their previous mechanic and yet the customer complains of a number of problems that simply shouldn’t be there if the car was serviced well,” BlueToro explains. “Usually it’s because the parts that were charged were not actually replaced.”

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#13

Why Doesn’t The Heat Work On My Brand New Civic ??

Why Doesn’t The Heat Work On My Brand New Civic ??

So what happened here was, we had a really bad blizzard and customer came in saying that all of their lights were on and the car drove horrible (no heat especially) and when we popped the hood we see this terrific mess of snow like wtf ?? Customer never popped the hood, it was left outside during the storm so looks like it was all the wind that absolutely piled up. And it was PACKED. left it to thaw overnight. Ran normal after everything was dry, no problems since.. a mystery to this day maybe they really did leave the hood open lol idk man

cellnivek Report

#14

Everyone Is Showing Off Their Welded Art. So I Will Join. Behold! The Mirror Brackets I Made For My 68 F100

Everyone Is Showing Off Their Welded Art. So I Will Join. Behold! The Mirror Brackets I Made For My 68 F100

EETFUK68 Report

#15

Im Scared

Im Scared

mafuba420 Report

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Shayne Randlett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Car is/was a police vehicle, most likely in Europe. The light indicates that the pistol lock box is not locked or the lock rifle mount is unsecured.

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Another practice that certain mechanics will try to get away with is bumping up scheduled part replacements. For example, if a part needs to be replaced every 100,000 miles, some mechanics will tell a customer that it is time to be replaced when they’ve only driven 80,000 miles. Over time, this can lead to many unnecessary repairs and your auto shop bills can be through the roof. “Ultimately, these mechanics are not thinking about you as a customer for the long term, they’re just trying to make the most out of every service,” BlueToro explains.

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#16

My Husband Called Shortly Into His Half Hour Drive Home To Say The Tire “Felt A Little Off”

My Husband Called Shortly Into His Half Hour Drive Home To Say The Tire “Felt A Little Off”

thegirlthatmeowsalot Report

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Esha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This man actually sat in his car and felt like the car was driving nicely

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#17

I’m Begging. Can Someone Explain To Me Why People Do This? Is A Seatbelt That Bad?

I’m Begging. Can Someone Explain To Me Why People Do This? Is A Seatbelt That Bad?

It feels similar to the mask thing to me. It’s like cool you don’t have to like it, so just wear it for the short time you’re in the store(car) and it could possibly save your life

Consistent_Argument6 Report

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Lara M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. The anti-seatbelt people are just as stupid as the anti-mask people (and in many cases, they're the same people). It's a self-limiting problem in both cases.

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Because many people have had encounters with mechanics that they were not able to trust, ABC News actually interviewed one who anonymously agreed to spill the beans on what it’s like to work in an auto shop. “Joe”, as ABC refers to him, explained that most mechanics actually are honest, but there is often pressure from overhead to perform unnecessary work to increase profit margins. “The shop has to stay in business,” Joe said. “There are pressures to do things that maybe you wouldn’t do normally. I’m ashamed a bit to admit it, but when your boss tells you ... 'Either you do it here or the door’s right there,' what are you going to do?”

#19

Tech States “I’m Not Getting In That Car, You Can’t Make Me”

Tech States “I’m Not Getting In That Car, You Can’t Make Me”

Redclayroots Report

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Audra Sisler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone with a cat who lives in their car....... That poor cat. Yeah I get ppl fall on hard times, been there done that.... But he responsible and find somewhere for that poor cat to go!!!!😥

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#20

We Share The Road With These People

We Share The Road With These People

iseewutudid_thur Report

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AceOfChaos317
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The drifting is so good you'll use this car for the rest of your (short) life

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#21

Sticker On The Oil Pan That Scans To A Job Application At Another Shop Lol

Sticker On The Oil Pan That Scans To A Job Application At Another Shop Lol

olimsamoth Report

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gabe linman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but the owner of this vehicle obviously wasn't happy with the previous shop... soo why go work at the very shop losing customers to your current workplace...

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Mechanics even have terminology for some of their more questionable practices, including “gravy work”. This is when a shop worker bills a customer for more time than a repair actually requires. “Most shops will charge you an hour and a half to two hours to turn the rotors and put pads on it,” Joe explained. “If you’re good and got good equipment, you can do it in 20 or 30 minutes… That’s gravy.” Another practice that I’m sure we have all suspected before was confirmed by Joe. “An $18 oil change -- well, they lose money on that,” he said. “The idea is to get you in so they can sell you the coolant flushes, trans flushes, power steering flushes. ... That’s where the money is.”

#22

Customer Drove This All The Way From Mexico Because He Was Told Not To Pull Over Out There.

Customer Drove This All The Way From Mexico Because He Was Told Not To Pull Over Out There.

lifeincolorgames Report

#23

Was Loading The Trailer With Tires When I Noticed This... Inspection Date Was 3/22/22

Was Loading The Trailer With Tires When I Noticed This... Inspection Date Was 3/22/22

Fergastancher Report

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Regal Kitten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking "This looks fine" and then I noticed it. This is VERY much not fine

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#24

So One Of My Customers Rents Out His Vintage Mustangs. This Is How One Was Returned To Him

So One Of My Customers Rents Out His Vintage Mustangs. This Is How One Was Returned To Him

home_brew_machinist Report

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Sherrie Dawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that sound you here is car fans screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

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Giuseppe Mendola, another seasoned mechanic and owner of AutoTech Diagnostic in College Point, New York, also told ABC that it’s important for car owners to just read the manual any time their car has an issue. The more drivers understand about their vehicles, the less likely they will be to get ripped off. “People don’t read the owner’s manual. They don’t know how to open the hood half the time,” Mendola noted. “I honestly don’t understand what they expect out of the car if they don’t know anything about it.” 

#25

Once In A Lifetime Puncture That Happened Right Outside My Shop. I Am Still In Disbelief To This Day

Once In A Lifetime Puncture That Happened Right Outside My Shop. I Am Still In Disbelief To This Day

ae112r Report

#26

Asked The Body Shop To Fix A Broken Bumper As Cheap And Fast As They Could. 20 Minute And 10 Bucks Later

Asked The Body Shop To Fix A Broken Bumper As Cheap And Fast As They Could. 20 Minute And 10 Bucks Later

imzeigen Report

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I'll be honest, I don't understand every image on this list because I know absolutely nothing about cars. And although I don't currently own one, this article is inspiring me to do thorough research before I ever purchase another one, so I don't get ripped off every time I go to the mechanic. We hope you are enjoying these hilarious and perplexing images, and be sure to upvote the ones that surprise you the most. Remember to clean out your backseat and check under the hood before you take your car into the shop, and if you're interested in viewing even more of these pics, you can check out the Just Rolled Into the Shop subreddit right here.

#28

Stop Doing This To Your Tech

Stop Doing This To Your Tech

winfreddixon Report

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Regal Kitten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I bring my car in, I only give them the car key, not the key to every door I've ever seen in my entire life!

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#29

Toyota 4runner. Hey Look, Some Dumb A** Left His Snap-On Tools Behind. Wait A Second, That's My Lube Sticker On The Windshield

Toyota 4runner. Hey Look, Some Dumb A** Left His Snap-On Tools Behind. Wait A Second, That's My Lube Sticker On The Windshield

paulsservice Report

#30

Hmmm

Hmmm

Trip_Jones Report

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Kevin Reed
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrap it up in electrical tape you'll never know the difference

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#31

Rawlings Baseball Leather Seats In A Tundra

Rawlings Baseball Leather Seats In A Tundra

Not-easy-being-green Report

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Jaden Alexander
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#32

Brought My Car In For An Airbag Recall And Tried To Leave The Mechanic A Tip

Brought My Car In For An Airbag Recall And Tried To Leave The Mechanic A Tip

Must Have Looked At My Clapped Out 20 Year Old Bmw And Decided I Needed The Money More Than Him Or Maybe They Just Aren’t Allowed To Accept Tips At The Dealership

zoidbergin Report

#33

I’m Not As Concerned About The Low Pressure…

I’m Not As Concerned About The Low Pressure…

Mandersonned Report

#34

Customer States Someone They Know Told Them It’ll Help Keep Rats Out Of The Engine Bay. Newer Model Toyota Camry

Customer States Someone They Know Told Them It’ll Help Keep Rats Out Of The Engine Bay. Newer Model Toyota Camry

HTAfM Report

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Beth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More like draw rats in to a comfy already built nest.

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#36

We Ordered 1 Tesla Model 3 Steering Wheel. They Sent 2 And Packed Them With 144 Children's Toothbrushes. 12 Packs Of 12. Wtf

We Ordered 1 Tesla Model 3 Steering Wheel. They Sent 2 And Packed Them With 144 Children's Toothbrushes. 12 Packs Of 12. Wtf

Glittering-Clock-332 Report

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Maisey Myles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear customer: in an effort to be more green, we will not use styrofoam peanuts any longer

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#37

Man With Dementia Was Coming To Our Dealership For A Low Tire. 2 Days And 200 Plus Miles Later The Family Was Able To Find Him And His Wife

Man With Dementia Was Coming To Our Dealership For A Low Tire. 2 Days And 200 Plus Miles Later The Family Was Able To Find Him And His Wife

DevilsLattice Report

#38

Car Comes In For An Oil Change Smelling Like Gasoline And Burning. Customer Says She Got A New Engine Put In Out Of Town

Car Comes In For An Oil Change Smelling Like Gasoline And Burning. Customer Says She Got A New Engine Put In Out Of Town

johnnyapplesapling Report

#39

Found At A Local Service Garage

Found At A Local Service Garage

boom_ouch Report

#40

Officially One Year Of Tire Punctures, Approx 3 Pounds. Time To Release Them Back Into The Wild

Officially One Year Of Tire Punctures, Approx 3 Pounds. Time To Release Them Back Into The Wild

Inevitable-Ad-8597 Report

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EpicWolfandSparrow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should start saving it every year. Put each year on display. Start documenting it, craziest one of the year gets a prize lol

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#41

To All My Service Advisors, How Do You Write Stuff Up Like This And Keep Yourself Professional?

To All My Service Advisors, How Do You Write Stuff Up Like This And Keep Yourself Professional?

Lobotomite430 Report

#42

It's About To Be Towed To The Shop. I Was Cruising About 50mph And The Plastic Snapped

It's About To Be Towed To The Shop. I Was Cruising About 50mph And The Plastic Snapped

GardenGnome25 Report

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Lu
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it really made of plastic and not metal? That seems odd

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#45

How Do These People Get A Driver’s License?

How Do These People Get A Driver’s License?

suicidal_squirrell Report

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#47

Tried To Knock The Ice Off My Muffler And It Freely Moved, Checked Under My Car And Saw This…

Tried To Knock The Ice Off My Muffler And It Freely Moved, Checked Under My Car And Saw This…

Travelingdolphins34 Report

#49

Pro Tip If You’re Unsure Of The Age Of Your Tire Just Cut Opening And Count The Rings

Pro Tip If You’re Unsure Of The Age Of Your Tire Just Cut Opening And Count The Rings

huf72 Report

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Batgirl Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, you could try not cutting open your tire. An actual way to check, look for the serial number, and find the last 4 digits of the number. The first 2 of the final 4 is the number of weeks into the year, and the last 2 (if made after the year 2000) are the last 2 digits of the year the tire was manufactured.

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#50

18 Year Old Tech Didn't Close A Valve Overnight

18 Year Old Tech Didn't Close A Valve Overnight

UrbanSteveIrwin Report

Note: this post originally had 134 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.