16 most unhinged things mechanics have seen roll into the shop
Published on May 17, 2022 at 12:32 PM (UTC+4)
by Patrick Jackson
Last updated on Jul 01, 2022 at 5:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
It’s safe to say every mechanic out there would have their fair share of stories to tell.
From rust and dangerously bald tires to animals and dodgy DIY repairs, some mechanics have seen it all.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) thanks to the power of Reddit, the just rolled into the shop subreddit is here for your daily dose of bizarre.
Here are 16 of the most unhinged (but PG-rated) things we’ve seen after trawling the subreddit.
1. Mirror-finish tires
Your car’s tires are the only connection between the car and the road, so making sure they’re grippy enough to handle the elements is hugely important.
No wonder the owner of this car had to sign a waiver to take it back out. You wouldn’t catch me driving on these tires.
2. One order of fried clutch, please
I’m not sure how someone does this much damage to a clutch in just one test drive.
Can you imagine the smell this would’ve created?!
CHECK THIS OUT!
3. ‘Stupid fuzzy pink thing’
To anyone who has one of these “stupid fuzzy pink things” on their gear shifter (or even worse, a stupid fuzzy pink steering wheel cover) I have two questions:
- How do you even change gears with this thing on there?
- WHY?!
4. A seriously lucky escape
I hope the driver and passengers in this Audi bought a lottery ticket that same day as that is one lucky escape.
This huge branch went straight through the front of the car, narrowly missing the people inside.
5. Opossum finds a new home
Safe to say if I were tasked with this job, I’d be delegating it to someone else.
Here’s another little critter making a home next to the engine…
6. What goes around, goes around…
… goes around, comes all the way back aroooound (admit it, you’re singing it now, too).
But seriously, how does this even happen?
7. Sometimes, the customer isn’t always right
8. ‘Catastrophic engine failure’ is an understatement
I’m not sure just what causes an engine failure of these proportions, let alone on a brand-new car with just 1000 miles (1609km) on the clock.
But it appears the mechanic did have some answers, with the original poster saying: “There was a hole in the side of the engine and… started eating itself. That’s what the Ford guy said.”
9. Now that’s what I call value for money
Going through nine engines and four transmissions in 10 years is some feat.
Getting it all covered under a 10-year warranty, though? That’s priceless – literally.
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10. Packing fails
I’m not sure why someone even bothered trying to “package” (I use the term loosely) a sway bar like this.
However, someone else may have taken the cake when it comes to a parts packaging fail.
This car was missing its trim.
But the replacement came snapped in three pieces to fit in the box…
11. How did this pass inspection?
Whoever passed this truck trailer for its inspection just weeks before this was posted deserves to lose their job.
12. I’m going to be sick…
Squeamish readers – look away.
How someone could bear to let their car end up in this sort of state, let alone drive around in it… has us shocked.
13. A hissing sound, you say?
If you thought finding an opossum under the hood was bad…
Still, at least the hissing sound was an easy diagnosis.
14. Some serious bling
It’s definitely a bold look – but it’s seriously dangerous as well.
Public service announcement: Don’t cover your airbags with jewels.
15. Forbidden warning light
If the warning light on your dashboard wasn’t enough of a tell-tale sign of a problem for you, this alternator will happily tell you just where the problem lies.
16. This horrible phone mount
A very “custom” phone mount indeed:
In a modern car with an advanced infotainment system, which likely has Apple CarPlay as well, you’ve really gotta wonder… what was this person, like the many others on this list, thinking?
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A car zealot from a young age, Patrick has put his childhood spent obsessing over motoring magazines and TV shows to good use over the past six years as a journalist. Fuelled by premium octane coffee, he’s contributed to Finder, DriveTribe, WhichCar, Vehicle History and Drive Section.
