5 tip-offs to mechanic rip-offs.(Money)

Unless you're a car mechanic yourself, dealing with a repair shop may require a leap of faith. But if you pay attention to what your mechanic says (and does), you'll find clues that could tell you whether you're being bamboozled. Here are some things mechanics may say when they're planning to take you for a ride--and we don't mean in your car.

1. "Get that engine flushed right away or it's toast."

Beware if your mechanic's idea of "scheduled maintenance" bears little resemblance to the recommendations in your owner's manual. Some shops "build the ticket" (translation: pad the bill) by recommending extra and often unnecessary procedures, such as engine and transmission flushes, or by scheduling some tasks prematurely. Some hawk high-priced "generic" maintenance schedules that may omit procedures your car needs.

Be especially concerned if the shop makes every recommendation sound like an emergency, says Larry Hecker, president of the Motorist Assurance Program (www. motorist.org), a nonprofit group that accredits repair shops.

2. "That rebuilt Camry alternator will run you $899."

If you happen to know that your cousin paid only $399 for similar work, you'd better call around to check. Although good shops may charge higher prices to cover the cost of top-flight technicians and equipment, bills that are always 20 to 30 percent more than the going rate should put you on guard, warns John Nielsen, director of AAA's Automotive Repair Network. You can poll other shops to find out how much mechanics in your area are charging for common repairs and maintenance. For complex problems, try comparing the price of the parts alone by calling parts stores or dealer parts departments, advises Deanna Sclar, an auto repair expert and author of "Auto Repair for Dummies."

3. "We thought the new fuel injectors would fix it, but it looks like you need a new fuel pump."