Using ChatGPT to Fix Your Car? Read This First

It’s tempting to turn to Artificial Intelligence for quick answers these days. AI can write recipes, summarize news, and even troubleshoot technology. Cool stuff! So why not ask ChatGPT what’s wrong with your car and how to fix it?

Two men smiling, wearing branded shirts, stand near a Jeep. Behind them, a sign reads "Harrell & Beverly Transmissions Auto Repair." The background is blurred.

AI Isn’t in Your Garage, It’s Just Guessing

The problem is, AI doesn’t actually see or hear your vehicle. It's pulling words and data from many sources and many of those sources can be just plain wrong! AI can’t pop the hood, run a diagnostic scan, or notice that faint burning smell coming from your engine. AI is also influenced heavily by your own bias or opinions and it will shape it's responses according to the narrative/path you lead it down.

Recently, one of our customers decided to use ChatGPT to diagnose and find a fix for their car.

It gave an answer that sounded reasonable to them and even included a list of possible causes. Unfortunately, none of them were correct.

When the customer brought their vehicle to us, our ASE Certified Master Technicians quickly found the real problem. If they had followed the AI’s advice, they could have wasted time, money, and possibly made things worse.

AI doesn’t have access to your car’s exact data, service history, or diagnostic trouble codes. It can’t listen to the noise your vehicle is making, feel how it drives, or see what’s happening under the hood. In other words, it’s making educated guesses. But when it comes to your safety, guessing isn’t good enough.

Real Diagnostics Require Real Testing

Modern vehicles are more complex than ever. A single symptom (like a check engine light, a rough idle, or a strange vibration) can come from dozens of potential causes.

That’s why our technicians rely on advanced diagnostic equipment and verified testing procedures, not assumptions. We test sensors, measure pressures, and verify readings before recommending any repairs. It’s a process that blends data, experience, and intuition. These are things that AI simply can’t replicate.

Experience You Can Trust

At Harrell & Beverly Transmissions & Auto Repair, our ASE Certified Master Technicians have the training and expertise to get to the root of the problem. We take pride in our detailed vehicle inspections, transparent communication, and long-standing reputation for honest service.

AI might be fast, but accuracy, integrity, and experience will always win. When it comes to diagnosing and repairing your vehicle, trust the people who’ve been helping Sanford drivers stay on the road safely since 1959.