‘Completely Rotted Out:' Man Pays $1,400 to Get His Brake Lines Replaced. Then a Different Mechanic Takes a Closer Look

"Ridiculous shops get away with stuff like this."

Photo by: TikTok

By: Steve Ecker

Jul 11, 2025 at 9:00pm ET

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A mechanic who goes by Carlos (@dailywrench) on TikTok says the brake line job another auto shop did was completely incompetent. He was shocked to discover the customer was charged $1,400 for a job that was incomplete.

He says a customer previously took their car to a nearby chain auto shop to get the brake lines repaired. Supposedly, the shop replaced all the brake lines; however, he says the brake lines were completely rotted out and leaking when he inspected them..

“If the brake lines were fully replaced, why are they using the original flair nuts? Why reuse an old component that’s rusty and prone to leak again?” the mechanic questions.

The mechanic says he called the previous shop to inquire about the brake line job. “Hey, this car was here a few months ago, and the lines look the exact same,” he says.

According to him, the manager refuses to explain the full service and claims the mechanic who worked on the car hand-bent all the lines.

“That's great if you actually did it. That’s not really quality work using old flair nuts for $1,400,” the mechanic claps back.

He says the manager becomes defensive, asking, “Are you calling me a liar?”

The mechanic says he had no intention of name-calling but firmly fights for the customer.

“It’s not right to charge someone $1,400 for this job. The invoice had no job description, part numbers, or fitting. I wasn’t calling to piss anyone off; I was calling for clarification,” he states.

The mechanic says the manager hung up and called the customer, claiming they would fix the repair under warranty.

The mechanic calls back asking if the shop will pick up the car since the mechanic believes it’s not safe to drive the 25 minutes to the other shop. He says the worker asks where his shop is and then immediately hangs up, ignoring his request.

“I have zero patience for incompetence when it comes to something like this. This guy could’ve had his kids in the car, and his brakes went out,” the mechanic concludes.

“We need more mechanics, like you, man, honest, and dependable and trustworthy,” one TikTok commenter shared.

“That’s what it’s like dealing with shops that don’t care,” another replied.

How Much Should Brake Lines Cost?

Brake lines are hoses that transfer brake fluid from a reservoir through a pump or modulator to a brake master cylinder to create hydraulic pressure, Kelley Blue Book reports. The pressure pushes the brake pads against the disc rotor or drum brake, which slows or stops the vehicle.

If the brake pedal feels spongy when pressed, there is an issue with the brake fluid becoming depleted or air entering the brake lines. If this happens, the brake lines will need to be bled or flushed and replaced if they are damaged.

According to Synchrony, the cost to replace brake lines is between $150 and $300 per brake line, including installation. There are at least four brake lines on every car, with one on each wheel. So, if each line needs to be replaced, it can quickly add up.

Should the Auto Shop Be Reported?

Many commenters mentioned reporting the business to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

“They didn’t touch a [expletive] thing. That customer should take them to court, and definitely shouldn’t bring it back to that same place bro they’re just gonna be more trouble,” one TikTok commenter said.

“10000% would've called authorities especially over a major safety component like brakes. Definitely a bad situation though ridiculous shops get away with stuff like this,” a second replied.

“Better Business Bureau and the police. That’s fraud and reckless endangerment,” a third said.

Filing a complaint keeps businesses accountable. The BBB gives consumers confidence when making buying decisions, and businesses know this, Justice Direct reports. It’s quick and free to file a report with the BBB, and the BBB does have a high complaint resolution rate.

What do you think?

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Motor1 has contacted @dailywrench via TikTok direct message. This story will be updated if they reply.

Update July 14: Carlos shared, "It is important to always maintain proper documentation on any repair. Many shop owners wont take the time to fight for their clients however we always have and will continue to do so. Accountability is extremely important in this field and we are happy that this issue did get resolved. We want people out there to not feel bad when questioning any work and asking for proper documentation, even getting a second opinion. We take in many clients that want a second opinion, which end up being clients of ours for life. Honesty, and integrity is something we have always valued over any amount of money.”