A DRIVER has been left baffled after she paid $50 for a car repair only for the part to break almost immediately.
Now she’ll have to fork out even more cash to get the problem fixed again.
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In a short clip, the driver filmed herself looking panicked and laughing in disbelief as she examined the damage.
A crack is seen at the top left corner of the windshield – which she just had installed.
She shared her frustration in a TikTok video that’s racked up over 400,000 views, 55,000 likes, and over 700 comments.
The car owner, who posts as @abicaswell, didn’t say where she got her repair done.
“Good thing I got a brand new windshield this morning!!!!!!!!” reads the text on the video.
She also wrote in the caption: “Is this a valid crash out, yes or no?”
The break clearly wasn’t there long, and users in the comments were quick to weigh in.
Many agreed the damage would qualify as a valid “crash out.”
“That is definitely a valid crash out,” said one.
“Three repairs on my car within one month, to just totaled it other month later,” recalled another.
In one of the comments, she said: “Not me wasting $50 and an hour of my time!!!”
Getting a windshield replaced in the US usually costs between $300 and $600.
Luxury vehicles or cars with tech-packed windshields can cost upwards of $1,000.
But in many cases, damage caused by falling debris is covered by comprehensive insurance.
That means drivers often won’t need to pay full price unless they’re uninsured or paying out of pocket.
How to save money at the mechanic
THERE are several services offered by mechanics that drivers should never pay for, according to a car expert.
Ron Krauch, an automotive writer, warned drivers not to trust everything they hear in the shop in an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun.
He said it’s important for vehicle owners to recognize the difference between their car’s manufacturer’s service schedule and what mechanics are trying to sell.
Any work referred to as a “dealer recommended service” is often an attempt at upselling, Krauch warned.
One of these useless upsells is fuel injecting clearing, which removes built-up dirt and debris from a vehicle’s fuel system to improve performance.
“Modern vehicles typically have fuel systems that are designed to stay clean, especially with the use of high-quality gasoline that contains detergents to keep injectors free of deposits,” he said.
Drivers should also always say no to engine flushes, as modern vehicles don’t need any help cleaning out “sludge or deposits.”
“Most modern engines and oils are formulated to stay clean, and if you regularly change your oil on schedule, you shouldn’t need this service,” he said.
And finally, no one should spend extra getting a premium oil change.
“Shops often upsell customers to synthetic or high-performance oils – even if the vehicle’s manufacturer doesn’t require them,” Krauch said.
Some windshield repairs may also be covered under a warranty, depending on the shop or service.
Caswell didn’t clarify if she had a warranty or whether she’d try to get a free replacement.
Instead, she simply posted the clip and let viewers share the outrage.
The comment section quickly filled up with sympathy.
“Girl, I would be CRASHING out too! Very valid lol,” said one comment.
“This is valid and currently why I have a giant crack in my own windshield. I don’t want to pay $500 to get it fixed just for this to happen lol I’m scared,” another wrote.
“Girl this is so VALID. I’ve been driving around with a cracked windshield for YEARS because I’m convinced this is going to happen to me,” said one.
“Literally me 3 days into having my brand new car.”
“The same thing happened to me!! Was able to fill it in though. Your chip is sadly a bit worse.”
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Content shared from www.the-sun.com.