In the world of automotive wisdom, seasoned car mechanic Scotty Kilmer, with an impressive 56 years in the business and a dedicated YouTube channel, has shared a little-known tip that could potentially save drivers from being “ripped off” by mechanics.

In his latest revelation, Scotty unveils a clever car diagnostic scan tool that empowers car owners to avoid unnecessary expenses when visiting the mechanic. In a brief clip, he advises against going to a mechanic and vaguely stating, “My check engine light is on, and I don’t know what’s wrong with my car!”

Instead, Scotty recommends a cost-effective solution—purchasing a car scan tool, readily available at places like Halfords, for a one-time cost of £56.99. Alternatively, motorists can explore Bluetooth diagnostic scanners that sync with their Apple or Android devices.

In the video, Scotty demonstrates the ease of plugging the scanner beneath the car’s dashboard, allowing the connected phone or device to display the specific fault with the vehicle. While he acknowledges that not everyone may be able to fix the issue themselves, he suggests utilising Google or watching his YouTube videos to gain insights into the problem.

By identifying the exact problem with the car, drivers can potentially save themselves from falling victim to unscrupulous mechanics eager to charge for unnecessary services. Scotty emphasises that this approach is far more effective than going to a mechanic and admitting, “I don’t know what’s wrong with my car,” which could lead to being pitched unnecessary services.

Scotty’s pragmatic advice extends to utilising the smartphone already at one’s disposal rather than investing in an expensive diagnostic machine. He concludes, “You already have a magnificent smartphone—you don’t need to buy a $500 diagnostic machine. You already have it.” This insider car hack from the seasoned mechanic provides a savvy way for drivers to navigate their car troubles and avoid unnecessary expenses.