Chatgpt versus car mechanics/dealers

[Platypusdiver]

I am a casual user of chatgpt for bits and bobs. But oh my god! I have learnt so much more about my car through chatgpt than the past 6 mechanic visits.

A potted history. I bought a car nearly a year ago. A total pup. I got properly ripped off. Anyway, about 6 trips to the mechanics (3 different workshops) and 2 break downs later, I decided to consult chatgpt.

What a revelation! Honestly, I can ask stupid questions, get clarification, follow up explanations, future things to watch for and do. No fobbing off. No "i can't use any other words to explain it". Arse!

The garage i got the car from doesn't even let you talk to the mechanic. You just deal with the receiptionist who "passes on" your questions. Guess how much of a shit job they did, because the same fault happened again. Both involving a tow truck.

It has totally changed the power balance now. I know what to ask for and what needs to be done. It really has blow my mind. (And confirmed what tossers/cowboys the dealers and mechanics that I have the misfortune to come across are - one or two excepted.)

Yes, completely agree. I recently had an issue with my mini. Provided ChatGpt with the issues and received a diagnosis within seconds. I was therefore able to book my car in for the work, without the unnecessary expense of diagnostics etc (& being ripped off!) Love it!
I also fixed my central heating boiler by asking ChatGpt.

A good mechanic will assess and diagnose your car, not blindly do a job because you said it needs done. I have to laugh at all the pro chat gpt threads on here recently though, it’s as if people are happy to have zero thinking ability.

Yes, good, honest, don't-try-to-rip-you-off-because-you-are-a-woman, car repair garages are as rare as rocking horse manure. Once you've found one, treasure it. Though I'm afraid I wouldn't be spending my money at a garage where you couldn't get to speak to the mechanic. I've been driving for over 30 years so there are very few wear and tear repairs I haven't encountered before. But if it's something I've not come across before, I ask the mechanic(s) loads of questions often whilst they're still working on the car (I deliberately arrive early.) They're the experts and I pay them for their expertise, bugger the receptionist!

A good mechanic will assess and diagnose your car
How do you find them? Honestly, even word of mouth hasn't worked for me.

not blindly do a job because you said it needs done
At least it is the starting point of a discussion rather than purely fobbing me off.

I have to laugh at all the pro chat gpt threads on here recently though, it’s as if people are happy to have zero thinking ability.

I have plenty of thinking skills, just no training or experience in fixing cars.

Thinking through the problem and asking AI questions and follow-up questions is actually engages a bit of brain power needed in itself. Also I have time to process the information at my leisure instead of having to come up with perfectly worded questions about a subject i know nothing about in an instant. Because how can you ask the right question if you don’t understand?

For me, this balances up the information asymmery (i believe it is called), without having to do a car maintaince course.