On June 17th, 2013 I took in my Toyota Sienna in for an oil change, inspection, and a maintenance check (fluids, whatnot) to Lamb's Automotive and Tire on Bell Blvd in Cedar Park. My usual mechanic does not do inspections, that is why I went to Lamb's.
The mechanic at Lamb's came across some issues and the sales/front office person (I did not get the name, unfortunately), took me back into the shop. I was told that the rack and pinion was leaking, Transmission Plate leaking/seeping, tires were bad, and the one strut was leaking. About $3+K worth of work (per rough estimate of my regular mechanic whom I later took the vehicle to for a second opinion). Told that this HAD to be done to pass inspection by both the front office person and the manager. In fact, when I questioned the need for all the repairs/replacement and wanted to make sure all HAD to be done, Mike Weir, the manager, looked me in the eye and said: “The TX department of safety says that I cannot pass this vehicle with these problems. They MUST be fixed.”
I took it my regular mechanic. Although he did verify that there were problems, none were need of immediate attention (although I shouldn't delay much on some) and none would prevent inspection. I then took it down the street and got it to pass inspection.
So, in sum, I'm going to get new tires soon (about $165 per) and get my struts fixed. Not a single penny will go to Lamb's. It's not that I'm denying there are issues, but that they looked me in the eye and claimed they had to be fixed to pass inspection - and I specifically asked if that were the case.
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