While it’s not for everyone, driving can be a blast, with your favorite tunes on the stereo, the sensation of speed and freedom. Then that dreaded shift, as something begins to whine or crunch. Like an unhappy patient, a car finds its way to communicate that it absolutely is in need of some repair. And most car owners might already be feeling that secondhand dread of popping the hood and seeing just how bad it is.
The “just rolled into the shop” online group documents the silliness that mechanics sometimes have to deal with. Preventative maintenance is not often in the vocabulary of most car owners, so the vehicles they encounter can range from “How does it even drive?” to “We need a priest, not a mechanic.” So upvote your favorites and be sure to comment your own stories below.
#1 Customer Wanted To Use This As Balance Beads So He Doesn'thave To Pay For A Balance. Says They Did It All The Time Where He Worked In Oklahoma
Image credits: Screen_Brave
#2 Customer States : Heard A Loud Noise And Lost All Gears
Image credits: Ageniminsempiternum
#3 Had To Pull The Rear Seats Out Of A 2012 F250 For Some Bodywork, And Found A Second Gen iPhone Solidly Wedged Behind It! Wonder How Long It's Been There
Image credits: wauna_b5
As a time-honored profession, the role of the mechanic goes back multiple decades. So far back even, that some of the US regulations about the job actually still use terminology like “any person who repairs or services a motor vehicle for payment or bartering,” as if you can just drive up to your local shop with a trunk full of lemons and hope for the best.
Paradoxically, as cars have gotten more complex, the role has become more specialized and rare. In the early 20th century, filling stations, what we would now call gas stations, also used to offer a mechanic service. While per capita, there were fewer cars, the vehicles actually on the road were significantly simpler. Over time, the cost of keeping mechanics around rose, and, furthermore, having a section for groceries was just better for the bottom line.
#4 Whoever Did This Alignment Pls Let Me Buy U A Drink
Image credits: 2DMAX04
#5 So How's Your Morning Going?
Image credits: Twisted_Wrench
#6 How Often Do You See A Manual Transmission 2010 Camry? It Certainly Caught Me Off Guard
Image credits: HickBarrel
Nevertheless, this abundance of mechanical skill did benefit the US during the Second World War. American troops who had some experience working with internal combustion engines were able to keep Sherman tanks and various utility vehicles maintained and operational in the field. This is in contrast to the German army, which still maintained over a million horses in 1945. At least in wartime, one had an excuse for why what they “just rolled into the shop” with was completely messed up.
#7 Head Gaskets On Audi A7 Tfsi. I’m Regretting Not Just Pulling The Engine
Image credits: Phlat_Dog
#8 I've Never Seen A Car That Failed A Home Inspection Before
Image credits: waffle911
#9 In For An Oil Change Because Our Local Valvoline “Couldn’t Get The Drain Plug Out”
Image credits: _lowlife_audio
When it comes to cars as a consumer conveyance, most people know about Henry Ford, the Model T, and early assembly lines. But it’s vital to remember that these cars were entering a world designed for horses and pedestrians. It would be a while until real car infrastructure was set up. For example, the first traffic light went up in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. As one can imagine, before that, you would simply enter an intersection and hope for the best.
#10 UPS Mechanics Are Gonna Be Very Upset When They Find Out 30 Trucks Had Their Catalytic Converters Cut Off During The Weekend
Image credits: slapdaddy83
#11 C/S Thanks For Understanding, Nerds
Image credits: ArtisanGerard
#12 So My Pads Have How Much Life Left? Uh… Yes
Image credits: crazeejoker810
Only a decade later, in 1925, were the first turn signals implemented. While most of us might think of the late 80s as the golden age of driving, the pre-war world also seemed like a perfect place for the car enthusiast. Drivers of the time seemed unrestricted by rules, lights, and even the need to indicate when and where they might turn. It almost sounds like the streets of the time were similar to a game of Mario Kart.
#13 The Insurance Companies Love This Maneuver
Image credits: gmmech
#14 Can’t Believe They Haven’t Been Forced To Do A Total Recall
Image credits: roll_hog
#15 Found 2 Cupcakes Under The Splash Shield Of A ‘21 Toyota Rav4…. So Many Questions
Image credits: blueflareeyes
Of course, the cars of the time had few conveniences. Air conditioning would only show up in 1939 in limited quantities and cruise control only came about in 1948. What may shock you is that cruise control was invented by a blind man named Ralph Teetor. Despite his affliction, he managed to receive a Master’s Degree in Engineering and, among other things, invented a powered lawn mower.
#16 Yes I’m The Tech Who Didn’t Take The Seltzer
Image credits: dylans_nut
#17 You Had One Job
Image credits: defastdecurious69
#18 My Shop Calls Me The Doodler... Already Have Some Active On The Roads. Be Warned Lol
Image credits: Reset-1
Of course, all these invasions also mean that mechanics need to have more and more advanced knowledge of how to actually fix things. Despite that, industry standards are still to design cars that will last a long time. The predicted “life” of a car built in 2020 is supposed to be around 16 years. Unfortunately, these predictions don’t cover the potential number of owners, but analysts do think this should equal roughly 2 million km, which equals about 444 oil changes if the owners take good care of it. If you want to see more cars where that probably didn't happen, click here and here.
#19 3rd One We Have Had This Happen Too!
Image credits: JW78710
#20 Ordered Lkq Glass Panels For The Roof. Instead Of Removing The Panels And Shipping Them They Just Cut The Whole Roof Off And Sent It
Image credits: dginther32
#21 Coolant Light Is Still On After Customer Topped It Up
Image credits: Wicked4wesome
#22 I Assure You Audi, The Ignition Is Indeed On
Image credits: sweet_pandorax
#23 Someone Please Explain Why A Person Would Do Such A Thing?
Image credits: -DangerAlien-
#24 These Honesty Tests Are Getting Out Of Hand
Image credits: Schwenkedel
#25 Any Other Lucky Fellas Get The Privilege Of Taking A Quick Look At Their Families Cars When They’re Home For The Holidays? Anyways, I’ve Drained About 10 Quarts Out Of My Sister’s 06 Honda Crv…
Image credits: no_yup
#26 I've Been Maintaining This Thing From Around 150k Miles. Definitely The Highest Mileage Customer I Have
Image credits: Br0keGee
#27 The Trailer Breaker Was Burnt, So I Traced The Wires And Found This. Which One Would You Assume Is The Positive Wire?
Image credits: Seenji
#28 It's Going To Be A Good Day
Image credits: wedgert
#29 Undercoated Wrench Found Welded Into In A Fully Boxed Section Of A New Frame For A T1 Escalade... Someone Got Fired At The Start Of A Shift
Image credits: midshipmen89
#30 My Dad Spent Several Weeks Changing The Clutch On His 2003 Mini Cooper S Jcw. He Doesn't Trust The Dealer To Do It Properly. This Is What The Bell Housing Looked Like Before It Went Back On
Image credits: ign1fy
#31 Kachow
Image credits: Pad43
#32 Hell Hath No Fury
Image credits: NectarRoyal
#33 Cylinder Head Repair, Most Steps
Image credits: wezd1r
#34 Reminder: You Share A Road With These People
Image credits: GeneralREE69
#35 Just Alabama Things You Find In Tires…
Image credits: BibboTheOriginal
#36 It’s Raining For The First Time In A While In Los Angeles. This Is The Trash Can Outside Autozone
Image credits: ToldYouTrumpSucked
#37 Found A Tracking Device In A Customers Car…
Image credits: Eyesandheart
#38 I'm Done With Monday Already
Image credits: GrundleZipper
#39 I’ve Become The Very Person I Swore To Destroy
Image credits: nago7650
#40 Operator Said, We Do This In India All The Time
Image credits: RedRattlen
#41 Guess This Could Have Gone Bad
Image credits: FonzyBeer
#42 Anti-Corrosion Protection Of The Car Body. This Is My Job
Image credits: KorbenBabyDallas
#43 This Is What Happens When You Lend Your Manual Transmission Car To A Friend Who “Knows How To Drive Stick”
Image credits: Radrocker3000
#44 C/S No Heat... This May Be The Worst I've Seen
Image credits: Ahkhira
#45 In For A Key Cut And Program. Bet I Know Where The Lost One Is
Image credits: kzthree
#46 Unsure Why My Customer Spray Foamed Their Vehicle
Image credits: aman6a
#47 When A Carpenter Does His Own Repairs…
Image credits: Odd-Variation941
#48 Customer Came Back After We Did An Oil Change On A Subaru, Stating It Had Problems, New Guy Drained The Transmission
Image credits: LesbianMechanic97
#49 This Is My Kind Of Customer
Image credits: haringtiti
#50 Local Shop - 40+ Year Old Phones And All
Image credits: jeffreyd00
#51 It's A Bit Cold Out This Morning
Image credits: Throway1194
#52 Gas Quality Around Michigan
Image credits: Moxske64
#53 I'm Not A Mechanic. What Did The Technician Do To My Car, And Did They Buy It Dinner First?
Image credits: cumulus_lupulus
#54 *sweats Nervously*
Image credits: WhoGotSnacks
#55 Working On The Sales Side Of The House Gets You Emails Like This
Image credits: Saleable_
#56 Price Jump
Image credits: suby8310
#57 The Worst Decal I’ve Ever Installed. For So Many Reasons
Image credits: Grundle_Thumper
#58 If Anyone Is Curious, A 21 Hemi Will Last 32,682 Miles If You Don’t Change The Oil On It
Image credits: snahbach123
#59 Shamoan
Image credits: wezd1r
#60 I Snuck Onto Our Parts Department's Computer. The Background Stays
Image credits: Part_of_the_Charm
#61 C/S They're On Probation And They Took His Gun
Image credits: pat-nasty
#62 Happy Friday The 13th. Air Hammer Set Off All The Side Curtain Airbags
Image credits: cutler_argh
#63 Customer States Replace Drivers Rear Seat Belt Buckle, Technician States Go F**k Yourself
Image credits: Stayhigh420--
#64 Rear Tires Kept Locking Up Trying To Get It In The Shop
Image credits: conservativehippy666
#65 F**k You I Win
Image credits: RainRepresentative25
#66 Didn’t Want To Wait For A Tow So Had His Buddy Drag It To Us 4 Miles
Image credits: dave281971
#67 C/S They Changed The Head Gasket Themselves. 100km Later This Is The Coolant. Customer Is Me
Image credits: TimTams553
#68 Don’t Try To Inflate Your Spare To 100psi
Image credits: Fire-Bored-Bohzai
#69 Just Rolled In: My New Tool Box After 5 Years Of Window Shopping. Feels Good When You Do It By Yourself. Cheers!
Image credits: OilBurninAudi
#70 One Car. Four Different Brands Of Tire
Image credits: Him251
#71 Department Of Agriculture Came In For An Annual Inspection.... Now Why Do They Need This Much Fire Power??
Image credits: Avacado_pants
#72 Truck Driver Bringing In Our New Volvo Stock Struck A Bridge On His Way In
Image credits: IcyWatersPupper
#73 Lets Go!!!
Image credits: Johnzor8
#74 Welp, I'm Done With Tuesday
Image credits: HanzG
#75 31x12.5r24. Just... Why?
Image credits: spidersgeorg
#76 Getting Real Tired Of These
Image credits: MakeEyeContact-
#77 Just Got My Christmas Present
Image credits: NitroBike
#78 Wonder How Long That Would Last
Image credits: eternalrefuge86
#79 Passed This Rust Repair For A State Inspection Because Honestly? I’m Impressed With The Paint Match
Image credits: ItsMylesNotMiles
#80 The Air Flows Better On The Outside Of The Hood
Image credits: moboard15
#81 C/S Couldn't Goto Work This Morning, Going Through Messy Divorce
Image credits: Adventurous_Limit_78
#82 So Those Stinger Vehicle Immobilizers The Police Use Really Do Work
Image credits: DocWallaD
#83 Been In The Parts And Service Business For 30 Years, Wish I Had All The Pictures Saved I Have Taken. Here’s My First Post
Image credits: colonialoutdoors
#84 C/S "My Son Said The Police Man Helped Him Put On The Spare" They Were Barely More Than Finger Tight
Image credits: AbzoluteZ3RO
#85 When You Trust A Newer Advisor A Little Too Much…
Image credits: jspek666
#86 This Might Just The The Absolute Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Seen, And I’ve Worked At A Collision Shop For 15 Years…
Image credits: Sickranchez87
#87 First Time Seeing Hello Kitty Exhaust Tips
Image credits: Specialist-Car-2423
#88 My Tech Is A Miracle Worker
Image credits: VeritasLuxMea
#89 Customer “Worked For Goodyear For 25 Years And Said This Is How You Get Max Performance”
Image credits: rhembembo
#90 Don’t Bring Bombs Into The Shop Please
Image credits: themilkman1009
#91 Samurai Disc
Image credits: BigTransition7
#92 Rotary Tires?
Image credits: czechfuji
#93 I Think The Quick Lube May Have Overfilled My Friends Car A Little
Image credits: sTixRecoil
#94 I'm Pretty Amazed By This
Image credits: rex4223
#95 Cust. States: "Brake Pedal Is Sometimes Stiff"
Image credits: FlannelDipole
#96 For All Of Those Struggling With Reaching Wheel Torque, Have You Tried A Longer Pipe? 650 Ft Lbs Doesn't Come Easy For Me ?
Image credits: Grimm199
#97 She Drove In On This... Tow Truck Driver Who Put In The Spare Didn't Know It Was Supposed To Be Inflated Too
Image credits: MeowMeowMeowMeowMiao
#98 Can Someone Tell Me What This Tray Is Actually For?? (Bmw X5)
Image credits: tim_locky
#99 Customer Rolled Into The Air Check Because Their Car Felt Funny. They Were Genuinely Confused Why I Couldn’t Check Their Right Rear
Image credits: smallwhiteballs480p
#100 Customer Says “Had To Figure Out A Way To Get It Over Here To The Shop! Can I Get My Wrenches Back?”
Image credits: IssaVSport
#101 Yesterday Had To Reissue Stickers For A Kid Who Just Bought A Car From Us. Cop Accused Him Of Using Counterfeit Stickers And Ripped One Off
Image credits: kowalski-analy5is
#102 Im Not Looking For The Wheel Lock Key!
Image credits: enoughless
#103 I Wonder Who This Guy Pissed Off
Image credits: Dawjman
#104 Customer Says He Wants His Exhaust Up The Side
Image credits: 2doubleGG
#105 Customer Left A Helpful Note…
Image credits: merc420sel
#106 This Customer Must Have Pissed Someone Off, Because They Filled The 6.0l In His Dump Truck With Sand, And Did The Same Thing To The Engines In His Other Dump Truck, His Skid Steer, And His Feller Buncher
Image credits: N_dixon
#107 I Just Hit The Jackpot. Can You See It?
Image credits: Odd-Variation941
#108 Customer Had Their Prius Towed In Because It Wouldn't Start After Installing Dynamats
Image credits: frostodoggo
#109 I’m A Service Manager Who Has Seen Better Days
Image credits: KitchenRelative6898
#110 The Day Before Snow Comes In
Image credits: Icy-Run86
#111 Shop Dog? How About A Shop Chicken?
Image credits: LooseWolf99
#112 Xmas Rolled In From The Boss
Image credits: NCC74656
#113 Kudos To You, If You Can Tell Me What This Big Silver Thing Is!
Image credits: SafeAd5174
#114 2022 911s 7 Speed Manual
Image credits: IHATEallCARS
#115 Customer Complaint? "It Steers Funny"
Image credits: NorthStarSon
#116 What's Next? 0w0?
Image credits: 18gsir
#117 Told The Younger Kids On Night Shift They Couldn’t Get The Axle Out Without A Press…
Image credits: OneExhaustedFather_
#118 Customer Says Brakes Started Making Noise
Image credits: ksghostlygirl
#119 No Comment
Image credits: tonythashoota
#120 Neat
Image credits: oh_no_its_in_my_eyes
#121 2023 Stingray With 103 Miles. Luckily No Injuries
Image credits: _B2W_
#122 Are Angry Texts From Customers Allowed? I Think I’m Gonna Frame This One
Image credits: chucks97ss
#123 Love It When A Customer Keeps A Record That I Can See
Image credits: braydenv
#124 Co-Workers Uncle Has A Tendency To Overheat And Blow Head Gaskets. His Solution Was To Wire In A Universal Temp Switch To A Horn In The Dash. If It Goes Over 200f, The Horn Goes Off
Image credits: donkeyhoeteh
#125 This Months Snap On Flyer. Brass Tire Pressure Gauge And Maple Box Only $96
Image credits: wilpoptires
#126 Whats Yall Opinion About These Kinds Of Lifts?
Image credits: Emperor2003Viii
#127 Snap On Got Nothing On These Bad Boys
Image credits: richardfitserwell
#128 Bugatti Veyron Spark Plug And Ignition Coil Replacement
Image credits: Fixitsteven
#129 Customer Just Traded This In On A $105k Bmw 840. In Addition To A Years Worth Of Takeout Trash There Were About 50 Roaches Left In The Car
Image credits: ameslay1211
#130 C/S: Wife Hit A Pot Hole
Image credits: DarmoweOrzel
#131 C/S “Something Is Rattling In The Back”
Image credits: chewedupbylife
#132 He Said He Just Bought The Car And Feels A Little Rumble In Low Speed
#133 Still Happens Even In 2023
#134 For An Oil Change…
#135 Is This An Acceptable Tip For New 35's With Alignment?
#136 Previous Mechanic Welded The Socket To The Oil Drain Bolt. Lol Genius Or Idiot?
#137 We Found This Young Lady Hiding Above The Rock Guard On A Subaru. Her Name Is Chassis And She Is Our New Parts Department Security Guard
#138 Still Happens Even In 2023
#139 Stripping Down My Dad's Supra To Get It Resprayed And I Found This 10mm That Was Under The Carpet That The Car Has Been Eating For Who Knows How Long
#140 A Home Depot Special On This Vw
#141 “Do You Guys Do Oil Changes?”
#142 Servicing A Very Low Mile Immaculate 15' Huracan. Find It Signed By The One And Only Valentino Balboni. Neat!
source https://www.boredpanda.com/weird-mechanic-shop-finds/
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