This review of aspects of auto repair fraud and incompetence indicates that consumers are distressed with the standards and the performance of the auto repair industry; however, such fraudulent actions are not considered direly malevolent. Four studies have tapped responses by different samples of the population to the offense of 'overcharging on repairs to automobiles.' The highest seriousness rating was found in a sample of 105 persons living in rural McComb, Ill. The most tolerant attitude was found in the nationwide sample of police chiefs, which closely approximated the views of the Midwestern-city criminal justice functionary sample. A survey of a mixed black and white Baltimore population found 'seriousness' views in between the extremes. Even among white-collar crimes, overcharges do not strike the respondents as being serious violations. Given that auto-repair fraud and incompetence are costly to the public and undoubtedly contribute to auto accidents, there should be stronger public condemnation of this offense based upon a shared sense of the consequences of the problem. There should also be measures designed to upgrade the performance of the auto repair industry. Twenty-four references are listed.