Grand Rapids Auto Repair

We have all had sales people try to sell us extended warranties, typically on electronics or appliances. Some of our Grand Rapids customers bought used vehicles and received the same sales pitch. The automotive ‘extended warranty’ is nothing more than an insurance policy. An average on how much the auto insurance industry pays back on every dollar they collect, is roughly $.98, or 98% payback. The used car extended warranty policies that people have purchased have, by my own experience of dealing with them for almost 40 years, much lower. Used car extended warranties are some of the worst ways to spend your money, in my opinion. With an insurance company, there is some recourse if a consumer feels that he or she has not been fairly compensated in the event of a loss. With the used car extended warranty, the consumer has nothing but a 1-800 number to call and state the loss. If the company agrees the consumer has a claim, THEY decide how much is covered, what kind of parts ... read more

WZZM 13 visited Ervine's to get help investigating the growing number of used vehicles showing up in Grand Rapids with potential flood damage. Eric and Jamie have owned Ervine's Auto Repair for the last 20 years and until recently it was rare to see a vehicle with flood damage. Just before this interview, one of Ervine's customer's brought in two different vehicles from two different car lots for a used car inspection. Both had flood damage. During the interview, Eric points out potential warning signs of a flood damaged car: Dried on dirt to a majority of the vehicle's under carriage Extremely rusty exhaust system Water line or dirt in the cars firewall (The firewall should be virtually spotless) Most insurance companies total cars after they have had flood damage because it's virtually impossible to repair them properly. The vehicle in this video had debris or damage to the exhaust and suspension system, transmission, fuel and brake lines and the electrica ... read more