I’ll be going to do some routine maintenance at an independent shop and was wondering if mechanics get mad if I asked for the old parts back? The mechanics have a good track record but I still have PTSD from past experiences and it would just give me peace of mind. Is this okay to do or do you think they’d get mad?
Not at all. Ask away. If they're honest mechanics, then they will be happy to show you.
If they don't, then they're hiding something.
However, keep in mind that some parts have what's called a "core charge". That means you have to return the old one. You can keep it, but it will cost you extra money.
That's something they are supposed to do when asked, it's the law in most if not all states.
When I had my first car taken to a mechanic I trusted, he showed me broken parts after repair. And I never asked him for this.
I would always ask in advance of the job. Most of the time, there was a box to check on the invoice that said "return customer parts." The ones that did not return parts made me a little suspicious. Probably asking nicely before the job is the way to go.
If they do, fire them and find another mechanic
