Braking News with Brian: Dings, Dents, & Teens
Brian Bernard • October 7, 2025
After 8 children, Lisa and I are FINALLY done parenting teenagers. YES! Our youngest just turned 20, leaving those teenage years in the dust for our family.
If you’re like me and have parented teens, there will eventually come a time when you must consider getting them a car to drive. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to get them a car?” You will first answer NO, and then you will answer YES. I need to get this kid a car so I can get a break from driving them all over God’s creation! It’s their time to be the chauffeur for a while!
But then reality hits. Car prices. Ouch. In our household, new cars were never an option. The kids got decade-old hand-me-downs or inexpensive used cars. Practical, affordable, and, most importantly, replaceable.
As the owner of an auto repair shop, I’ve had access to plenty of decent used cars, which has been a blessing as the parent of eight children. Still, I eventually realized that instead of running an auto repair shop, I would have been better off owning a paint & body shop!
I’ll never forget the joy of seeing my teenager sit behind the wheel of her first (very used) car, grinning from ear to ear. She proudly promised me she’d be the safest driver in family history. Twelve hours later, the minivan had a shattered right front wheel, a mutilated tire, and a bent strut. Thirty minutes after putting on the spare, the left front tire was destroyed by— you guessed it— a curb. And thus, the carnage began.
From there, we saw dents from poles at gas stations, rear-ending other cars, distracted driving, and totaling out your neighbor’s car. Shortcuts through parking lots resulted in lost side mirrors, taillight assemblies, a front door, and so on. Not pretty, but reality.
The truth is, becoming a good driver takes time and experience. We must be patient with our teens while they are learning to drive. Safe decision-making behind the wheel isn’t automatic, it’s learned through experience. If you've never had a teen driver, I can assure you that you’ll be scared to death the first time they head out alone.
My wife and I have now been through eight teen drivers. Our experience has shown that the dings and dents are going to happen, whether it’s our child’s fault or not. Our decision to give our children used and well-worn cars as their first ride has paid off. They not only survived the learning years, but they also developed a true appreciation for the cars they own now.
If you do decide to get a car for your teenager, make sure it fits the budget, fits your child, and fits their needs. And remember, whatever you buy, there’s a good chance it’ll be a “bang-up” car in the end!
Drive Safe!
Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench
Your Car,… Trusted Care
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“In the beginning there was light...” Wait— that’s not right. Wrong story. In the beginning there was a check engine light. Yes, that’s how this story starts. Bill, a longtime customer of mine, called me one morning about his 2004 GMC Sierra. He was getting ready to head out on a trip, but his truck was running a little rough. We set the appointment, and while I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee, Bill rolled into the shop. We pulled his truck into the diagnostic bay, and my technician scanned the computer for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). What the technician found led me to a series of questions for Bill. Me: “Bill, we found some trouble codes in the computer. Has the check engine light been for long?” Bill: “Oh, that thing? Yeah, it’s been on for a couple years! But it’s been running great.” Me: “Well, it’s running terribly now.” Bill: “True… it just started acting up these past couple of weeks.” What we uncovered was a laundry list of fault codes that had been obviously ignored. He also admitted he’d been topping off his radiator with coolant from time to time. Here’s what happened: it started with a small radiator leak. As the coolant got too low, the engine overheated, off and on, over and over. That constant heat stress finally caused the head gasket to fail. By the time all was said and done, with machine shop work, new head gaskets, radiator, spark plugs, and an oxygen sensor, the bill (no pun intended) came to $3,000. The moral? Bill now “ sees the light ” and knows the cost of ignoring it. Some dashboard warning lights may be confusing, but they’re there for a reason. If a light comes on or a gauge points to a problem, don’t wait. Even if your car seems to be running fine, it’s always safer (and cheaper) to get it checked out before a small issue snowballs into a major repair. Do you see the light? Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care
