Wait, They Fixed What? The Most Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs Ever!

by AutoExpert   |  18 September, 2023

Share :

Ever taken your car to a mechanic and gotten a quote for a repair that left you utterly puzzled? You’re not alone. We’ve been down that rabbit hole, and boy, is it filled with some strange twists and turns. So today, let's dig into the wildest, most random, and completely unnecessary car repairs ever.

Blinker Fluid: Yes, You Heard That Right!

The infamous blinker fluid "repair" has become something of an automotive joke. A mechanic might tell you it needs changing, but spoiler alert, blinker fluid isn't a thing. Your blinkers work on electrical systems, people!

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

Did You Know? The joke has been around so long, there are actually gag gift bottles of "blinker fluid" you can buy.

The Muffler Bearing: Say What Now?

You read it right—the mythical muffler bearing. It's another invention of the mechanic's imagination that simply doesn't exist. But let’s be honest, it does sound somewhat plausible, doesn’t it?

Crazy Fact: Some people have actually fallen for this and have paid upwards of $200 for this nonexistent repair. Ouch!

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

The Flux Capacitor: Not Just For Time Travel

Remember "Back to the Future"? Well, some mechanics will actually claim your car needs a new flux capacitor. Unless your car is a DeLorean and you're heading back to 1985, you don't need one.

Movie Magic: The original flux capacitor from "Back to the Future" was auctioned off for $60,000!

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

Replacing Air in Tires with Premium Air: Seriously?

Yes, folks. Some repair shops offer to replace the regular air in your tires with "premium air." We still haven’t figured out what makes the air premium, though. Could it be the whiff of a summer breeze?

Oddly True: Believe it or not, there have been reported cases where people shelled out $100 for this.

Random and Unnecessary Car

Cosmic Alignments: When Your Car Needs An Astrologer

We've even heard of mechanics claiming that your car's alignment issues are because Mercury is in retrograde. Yeah, astrology for cars—that's a new one on us too.

Starry-Eyed: Car astrology isn’t mainstream, but there are articles on what type of car suits each zodiac sign. Can’t make this stuff up!

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

The Turbo-Encabulator: A Glimpse into the Future?

Ever heard of the Turbo-Encabulator? If a mechanic ever tells you this needs replacing, head for the hills. It's a fictional machine engineers have joked about for decades. Despite its mythical status, the Turbo-Encabulator has an amazingly detailed, pseudo-scientific description.

Mind-Boggling: The Turbo-Encabulator even has a "manual" and technical videos explaining its function, all completely fictional, of course.

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

Reverse Headlights: Seeing Backwards?

Some mechanics with a sense of humor may tell you that your reverse headlights need replacing. Now, unless your car has the ability to light up the road behind you like it’s a spaceship, reverse headlights are not a thing.

Flash of Light: Did you know that some concept cars actually incorporate rear-facing lights for enhanced night-time visibility? But they’re not called "reverse headlights."

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

Sound-Activated Windshield Wipers: The Clap On, Clap Off Phenomenon

What if you could activate your windshield wipers with just a clap or a whistle? While it sounds like something from a spy movie, some mechanics might insist you need a system update for your “outdated” sound-activated wipers. Just a heads up—these don’t exist. Yet.

Fun Fact: There are, however, wipers that sense rain and activate automatically, but clapping won’t do the trick!

Random and Unnecessary Car Repairs

The Verdict: Watch Your Wallet!

So, the next time you're at the mechanic's, keep an ear out for these tall tales. While it's mostly all in good fun, you definitely don’t want to be that person who actually pays for these things. Always get a second opinion, folks, especially if you’re asked to shell out for “premium air” or a fresh batch of “blinker fluid.”

Recomended:

These 5 Hypercars Prove the Gasoline Dream Isn’t Dead Yet - Photo
Others
These 5 Hypercars Prove the Gasoline Dream Isn’t Dead Yet

A prancing horse is now in the stable.1. Gordon Murray Automotive T.50"The last great analogue supercar," that's the promise Gordon Murray made and he's held up his end of th

AutoExpert
This Affordable Sedan Keeps More of Your Money Than Almost Any Rival - Photo
Others
This Affordable Sedan Keeps More of Your Money Than Almost Any Rival

While SUVs have taken over from the sedan as the vehicle design of choice for American masses, the latter still has its place. Not only do they generally look better than the tall and ungainly SUV cro

AutoExpert
How Much Rising Gas Prices Really Cost Truck and Sedan Owners - Photo
Others
How Much Rising Gas Prices Really Cost Truck and Sedan Owners

Gas prices. Given recent events they've been on everyone's minds as rising oil prices cause gasoline prices to climb across the U.S. and around the world. We won't dive into why costs have

AutoExpert
Buick Is More Popular in China Than America and Here’s Why - Photo
Others
Buick Is More Popular in China Than America and Here’s Why

While Washington and Beijing rarely see eye to eye, Chinese car buyers have long been remarkably unified in their affection for one American brand. That brand is Buick which last year delivered 436,72

AutoExpert
Only Two Manual SUVs Are Left in 2026 and One Is Much Cheaper - Photo
Others
Only Two Manual SUVs Are Left in 2026 and One Is Much Cheaper

While SUVs have become a staple of American roads over the past couple decades, very few new ones are still available with a manual gearbox. Truth is the manual isn't being sold as an option with

AutoExpert
Self-Driving Cars May Succeed on Tech but Fail in Politics - Photo
Others
Self-Driving Cars May Succeed on Tech but Fail in Politics

Battery-electric cars became a political mess well before Elon Musk turned public opinion against his cars by leading the "government efficiency" campaign that sent about 300,000 federal emp

AutoExpert
Renault’s Tiny New Off-Roader Looks Ready to Challenge the Jimny - Photo
Concept
Renault’s Tiny New Off-Roader Looks Ready to Challenge the Jimny

Renault has previewed a new compact off-roader called the Bridger Concept, a small SUV designed to take on vehicles like the Suzuki Jimny. The catch is that most people will probably never see it in t

AutoExpert
Renault futuREady Plan Promises 36 New Models By 2030 - Photo
Car News
Renault futuREady Plan Promises 36 New Models By 2030

Renault Group has revealed a new long-term strategy called futuREady, and it is a pretty ambitious one. The plan promises dozens of new models, cheaper electric cars, and much faster development cycle

AutoExpert
The Cayenne EV Just Got A 657 HP Middle Model - Photo
Car News
The Cayenne EV Just Got A 657 HP Middle Model

Porsche is expanding the electric Cayenne lineup with a new middle option called the Cayenne S Electric. It sits between the entry-level model and the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric Turbo, giving b

AutoExpert
This $240K Range Rover Comes With Skis and Only Three Exist - Photo
Car News
This $240K Range Rover Comes With Skis and Only Three Exist

Land Rover has introduced another themed version of its performance flagship, this time drawing inspiration from snowy mountain scenery. The new Range Rover Sport SV Winter Dusk takes cues from the co

AutoExpert