A routine wheel alignment turned into an uncomfortable experience after one driver says a mechanic recommended thousands of miles’ worth of maintenance that had already been completed. The incident, shared on TikTok, has reignited the debate over courtesy inspections and whether some service recommendations cross the line into unnecessary upselling.
The story comes from TikTok creator @outer_universe, who says he visited a Firestone location because an alignment requires equipment he doesn’t have at home. Instead of simply adjusting the suspension, he noticed a technician had opened the hood and begun inspecting the engine bay.
According to the creator, the shop later presented him with a list of recommended services that included a coolant flush, brake fluid flush, spark plugs, an oil change, and both engine and cabin air filters. He says many of those items had recently been replaced or serviced, prompting him to question the recommendations.
While the video has generated plenty of criticism online, Firestone says complimentary vehicle inspections are part of many service visits. That means technicians may recommend maintenance based on manufacturer service intervals, even if they don’t know certain work has already been performed.
“Why Are You Looking Under My Hood?”
@outer_universe I was always told nobody lies more than doctors, lawyers, and mechanics #cartok #mechanicscam ♬ original sound – outer_universe
In his TikTok video, @outer_universe explains that he was surprised to see the hood open while his vehicle was supposedly receiving nothing more than an alignment. He questioned why anyone needed to inspect the engine when the requested service involved the suspension.
Things became more confusing after the shop recommended multiple maintenance items, such as a coolant flush, brake fluid flush, new spark plugs, an oil change, and new cabin and engine air filters. The creator says he had recently installed a new radiator, replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil, and completed several of the other suggested services himself, so this didn’t make sense.
When he challenged the recommendations, he says the employee responded that they were based on the manufacturer’s mileage schedule. According to the creator, he worried a less knowledgeable customer might have approved work that wasn’t actually necessary.
Courtesy Inspection or Upsell?
According to Firestone, every repair or maintenance visit includes a complimentary courtesy inspection unless a customer opts out. That inspection can include checking fluid levels, belts, lights, tire condition, and manufacturer-recommended maintenance intervals, even if the customer only requested an alignment.
The company also notes that maintenance reminders are often generated based on vehicle mileage and service schedules rather than confirmed repair history. If previous maintenance wasn’t recorded in the system, technicians may recommend services that have already been completed.
Car Owners Are Split
Many commenters sided with the TikTok creator, saying the recommendations sounded like an attempt to sell additional services. Others, including users identifying themselves as technicians, argued that employees simply follow company procedures and have no way of knowing what maintenance owners perform themselves.
Consumer experts generally recommend comparing any maintenance recommendation with the service schedule in the owner’s manual before authorizing repairs.
If a recommendation seems questionable or expensive, getting a second opinion can help determine whether the work is actually needed or simply based on mileage rather than the vehicle’s actual condition.
What do you think about this situation? Was the shop simply following standard inspection procedures, or do the recommendations sound like an unnecessary upsell? Let us know your thoughts, and tell us whether you’ve ever had a similar experience during what was supposed to be a routine service visit.