“In this economy you gotta do what you gotta do!”
A woman says that she has a way to get oil changes done on the cheap. But is it really worth the risk?
In a video with over 30,000 views, TikTok user Vanessa (@ayevanessa) explains how she managed to get her oil changed for “$25 in 13 minutes.”
According to Vanessa, she visited her local AutoZone and asked an employee which type of oil was best for her vehicle. After supplying the make and model, she was able to pick up an air filter, oil filter, and oil for $52.37.
This is where the deal comes in. Rather than take these products to an auto shop or attempt to perform the swaps herself, she simply walked out into the parking lot to find a mechanic.
“I was worried about how I was gonna find somebody as soon as I walked out, but I made eye contact with one person, and it was up from there,” she explains.
Vanessa then shows a man working on her car. In the video’s overlay text, she explains, “There are dozens of mechanics lined up outside servicing cars. Oil changes are a common service but they handle an array of things.”
In total, Vanessa says she paid the man $25 in cash. She notes that other mechanics accepted Venmo or CashApp.
“In this economy you gotta do what you gotta do!” she writes in the caption.
While one may be able to do what Vanessa did without issue, there are a few reasons one may want to think twice before following this advice.
First, and most pressingly, you’re not saving that much money for the additional effort. In total, Vanessa spent about $77 to have her oil changed.
Although this price may seem low, it’s similar to prices charged by other major chains. For example, Walmart advertises synthetic oil changes for between $59 and $73, including the oil filter. If one adds an engine air filter, the price could increase to between $85 and $125.
By doing a little price shopping, you may be able to get their oil change cost down to just a little bit more than what Vanessa paid—and you don’t have to hang around in a parking lot to do it.
But price isn’t the only reason why one should hesitate to get car work done in an AutoZone parking lot.
While oil changes are relatively simple, when someone claims to be able to perform an oil change in a parking lot, you really don’t know if they have the skills to work on your vehicle. It is possible that they may do something to your vehicle that can cause considerable damage.
As noted by AAA, there are risks associated with DIY oil changes. Adding too little oil can result in inadequate lubrication, while adding too much can damage seals and gaskets. Plus, improperly sealed or tightened components can lead to leaks—which, in turn, can result in catastrophic engine failure.
Naturally, this is true of any oil change. The internet is filled with stories of people visiting quick service oil change places, then having their vehicle break down soon after leaving.
The difference is that, in these situations, there are ways to seek recourse when something goes awry at a mechanic’s shop. If you get your oil changed by someone in a parking lot, it’s more difficult to pursue compensation. It’s unlikely there’s an insurance policy or corporate structure through which to pursue damages. You may not even know their name.
The safest oil change option is going to a mechanic that you trust and having it performed there. Even as costs for car services go up, you can still save money by following part of Vanessa’s advice: buying the oil and filter yourself.
A September piece in the Wall Street Journal noted that some mechanics have reported that customers have begun bringing in their own oil change materials, then only paying the mechanic for the service. One repair shop owner quoted in the piece claimed that an oil change costs around $100 with parts and labor—but if a customer brings in their own materials, he’ll only charge them between $20 and $50 for the labor.
As one commenter observed of Vanessa’s action, “You paid $80 for an oil change. You could’ve put it on a lift and done an inspection of everything by a certified mechanic/company who stands behind their work.”
Motor1 contacted Vanessa via TikTok direct message and comment, and AutoZone via email. We’ll update this if either responds.
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