Braking News with Brian: The Car Flea
Brian Bernard • October 14, 2025
How many of you look forward to the weekend and driving through the credit union parking lot? Or, as my wife and her friends call it, the SRP Car Flea! I love driving through and looking at all the used cars for sale. It’s my ritual after church on Sundays.
Often, I am asked to inspect a used car and give my opinion after
the purchase has already been completed. And more times than I’d like, I’ve become the bearer of bad news. Most used car purchases are done “as is” and without any kind of warranty and no guarantee to protect the buyer.
Before buying a used vehicle… WAIT! Do whatever you want to do with the vehicle you’ve got your eye on (sit in it, smell it, touch it, drive it), but just pause before making the purchase. No matter what anyone says or does or promises, don’t buy it. Not yet. This is not the time to flex your impulse buying muscles. I have 3 rules that may save you time, aggravation, and money when shopping for a used car.
1. Bring it In
Before negotiating, ask the seller if you can take the vehicle to your trusted mechanic for an honest, professional opinion. Getting the car up on a lift makes it much easier to spot potential problems.
No matter how much “car knowledge” you think you have, you don’t have X-ray vision. You can’t see a control arm bushing about to fail or a rusted floor pan hidden under the car. A good mechanic will drive the car, look it over carefully, and give you the good points and the bad points. Now with this information, you have a little more negotiating power to get a better deal on your purchase.
2. Find Out Costs
Don’t just focus on the price tag; find out how much it actually costs to maintain this vehicle. I mean all oil changes, tune-ups, brakes, and tires. Everything you would spend money on at your repair shop.
Your mechanic can give you a pretty good estimate of average monthly expenses using their software program based on the current condition and mileage of the car. And don’t forget to factor in auto insurance and property taxes. If you don’t know what to expect, your budget could take a major hit later.
3. Drive It
My last rule: drive the car as much as you can before making a decision. This extra driving reveals many unknowns and hidden quirks about the car.
When driving, remember the three C’s: comfort, convenience, and clarity.
Comfort – Is the seat comfortable? Are the armrests in the right place? Think about how you would feel after a long road trip. How’s the backseat? Would your passengers be comfortable?Convenience – Are all the power controls easy to reach? Can you see the dash gauges without craning your neck? Is the trunk or storage area big enough for your lifestyle?Clarity – What about blind spots? Where are they? Can you operate this car safely?
There are plenty of great used cars deals out there, and with a smart, measured approach, you can get that sweet ride and a fair deal. See you at the “Car Flea”!
Drive Safe!
Brian Bernard– Owner, Automotive Workbench
Your Car,… Trusted Care
Discover expert tune-up tips at Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Boost vehicle performance and longevity. Schedule an online appointment now!
Discover essential car HVAC maintenance tips from Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Trust us for expert auto repair. Visit us today for all your needs!
Discover top suspension tips with Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Enhance your car's performance—call us today!
Discover expert brake care advice from Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Enhance vehicle safety and performance. Call us today!
Discover expert tire care tips at Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Enhance your vehicle’s performance and safety. Schedule an online appointment now.
Master preventive auto care in Aiken with Automotive Workbench. Expert tips to maintain vehicle longevity. Call us today for top-notch service!
Discover expert tune-up services in Aiken at Automotive Workbench. Enhance your car's performance with our skilled team. Schedule an online appointment now!
Enhance your vehicle's performance with expert HVAC care at Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Call us today and ensure comfortable journeys year-round!
Discover expert suspension insights at Automotive Workbench in Aiken, SC. Enhance ride quality and vehicle safety with us. Schedule an online appointment now!
“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
