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
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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This morning, while drinking my coffee and taking my routine stroll through the shop, I ran straight into a wall of tires. Literally. The wall hadn’t been there last week, but somehow, in just a few days, it had grown into a six-foot-high tower. Sure, I’m glad that tire sales are up, but I wasn’t too thrilled about the fresh coffee dripping down the front of the new birthday shirt my wife bought me. No, honey, I wasn’t dribbling today! As I wiped off the mess from my shirt and started fuming about why these tires were still piled in the shop instead of waiting outside for pickup, something caught my eye. Looking closely at this mountain of rubber, I realized some of these weren’t just used tires. They were dangerously worn out, bald, with steel belts showing, the kind that could blow at any moment! Wow! I couldn’t help but wonder: who would keep driving on tires like these? Certainly not me or my family. Not my employees. And definitely not my regular customers. As new customers come into the shop each day, I’ve noticed a troubling trend I call “saving over safety”. The mentality of “If I’m not spending money on my car, then I’m saving money” can be dangerous and expensive in the long run. Many people put off maintenance until something breaks, usually at the worst possible time. What starts as a quick, affordable fix often turns into a costly crisis. To make matters worse, auto manufacturers have stretched routine service intervals, sometimes recommending only one major check-up per year! Not having your car checked over several times a year can be costly and risk dangerous failures, like tire blowouts! We rely on manufacturers to provide a quality product. However, it is up to us to maintain that quality. I’ve seen firsthand how serious ignoring maintenance can get. In one case, a driver ignored warnings about a bald rear tire. The very next morning, the tire blew out, sending the vehicle into a rollover accident. Both the driver and passenger ended up in the hospital. The old saying “You can pay me now or pay me later” holds true many times in the auto repair business, and often, the “later” costs you a whole lot more! For me, keeping my family safe will always come first. I know it’s the same for you. So, before that “later” moment sneaks up on you, let’s make sure your car is safe today. Drive Safe! Brian Bernard – Owner, Automotive Workbench Your Car,… Trusted Care
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