New Dealership Scams: How to Avoid Being Overcharged and Misled

Overcharging on Parts

• 💡 Dealerships are increasingly overcharging for parts, often charging above MSRP without customer awareness.
• ⚠️ A common tactic is not providing itemized estimates, making it difficult for customers to verify part costs.
• 🎯 For example, a water pump priced at $193 was marked up significantly beyond MSRP, and aftermarket brake fluid was sold at a higher price than original Toyota fluid.

Misleading Service Practices

• 🔍 Dealerships may use aftermarket fluids (coolant, brake fluid) while charging premium prices, sometimes even more than original parts.
• 💰 Customers are being charged for services like EFI tank additives based on fabricated diagnoses, such as carbon buildup found during an oil change, which is logistically improbable.
• 🚩 The practice of offering