25 Auto Repair Nightmares in Pictures That Will Make Every Car Owner Cringe

Keeping your mirrors in good repair is crucial when it comes to driving safely. Don't cut corners or avoid getting your mirrors fixed or replaced properly by a mechanic.

2. Don't Be That Guy

Find the board from r/Seenonthestreet

Missing tail light? Check.

Bodywork held together with twine? Check.

This DIY repair is an accident waiting to happen, and could land the driver with a ticket. Don't take chances when your car is in this bad a state of disrepair. If you can't afford to get it fixed professionally right away, just take the bus.

3. There's No Way This Is Road Safe

Drainpipes are designed to carry rain water, and rain water only. Don't stick a drainpipe to your exhaust and call it a day. The materials are really not up to the job, and the heat could partially melt the pipe. 

4. Hanging in There

Duct tape can be a good temporary solution to a lot of different breaks, but if you find yourself covering your entire car in duct tape you might want to examine your life choices.

If your car is in such serious need of repair, what are you waiting for? Get a mechanic to work their magic.

5. The Dangers of Tarp

That'll Fix It from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

As already mentioned, tape can make a good quick fix in a pinch, but it really is not a strong enough adhesive if you're going to be out on an open road. If this tape became unstuck, the tarp could fly out onto another driver's windshield, potentially obscuring their vision and causing a huge accident.

Don't take chances with your safety or the safety of others. 

6. Driving Blind

Another wood window from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

The reason you have a rear window in the first place is to allow you the best possible range of vision, ensuring your safety. Replacing the rear window with wood is going to dramatically reduce your field of vision, and get you into some pretty dangerous situations.

Get yourself down to the auto shop and get a new window installed, before anything terrible happens.

7. Holding It Together

If your car is this damaged, you need to get to a shop ASAP. That tape simply won't be able to hold the doors closed properly, running the risk of the doors opening while driving and damaging surrounding vehicles.

8. Something's Not Right

Sick stack! from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

It's important to get the right replacement parts for your vehicle. Don't just stick on whatever you've got lying around and hope for the best. Speak with a professional and find the right replacement option for you.

9. Who Needs Seatbelts Anyway?

No seat? No problem from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

Most of us know about the importance of seatbelts from the time we're children. If a child can tell that your DIY fix isn't roadworthy, then maybe you need to get help from a professional.

Don't take your life into your own hands for the sake of saving a few bucks. Get proper seats and seatbelts installed.

10. On Lockdown

Why would you do that (Photo from r/hmmm) from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

Instead of replacing a broken handle and lock with one intended for buildings, just get a mechanic to hook you up with something more appropriate. It will save you a whole lot of time and effort, and will result in a more secure locking system for your car.

11. Mirror, Mirror, On the Car

Mirrors are not one-size-fits all. A hand mirror that you use for applying makeup or fixing your hair is not going to be an appropriate substitute for a side mirror on your car.

Getting your mirror replaced professionally is quick, easy, and typically inexpensive. Get it done right the first time, and you won't have to worry about your tape becoming unglued on the highway.

12. Sticking Together

Isn’t it cheaper to just buy another Cavalier than it is to weld the doors back into your existing one? from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

As the redditor who posted this photo pointed out, it's probably cheaper and easier to just buy a new car than to weld your doors back on. This welding job was obviously done by an amateur, and looks in no way road safe.

Either get the job done properly by a professional or get a new car. Just don't think you can hastily weld the doors back on and be good to go.

13. Close to Falling Apart

That Lovely Duct Tape Aesthetic from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

One unexpected speed bump and the hood and fender of this car is likely to fall right off. If your car's bodywork is in such a state of disrepair, duct tape simply isn't going to cut it.

Get that car to a mechanic and give it a well-deserved face-lift.

14. Exhausted By Quick Fixes

My temporary fix. "It's custom bro" from r/Justrolledintotheshop

If you need a new exhaust, get a new exhaust. Don't try to manufacture one yourself out of a Coke can or any other aluminum can you might have lying around.

You're always safer using legitimate, mechanic-approved parts. Don't settle for anything less.

15. An Electrifying DIY

I love it when customers do their own repairs... from r/Justrolledintotheshop

This enthusiastic driver thought they could fix the problem themselves, and their mechanic was quick to point out that this was a very bad idea.

If you look behind the warped intake tube, you'll see that the driver drove a bolt through the wiring harness. This could have seriously compromised the car's electricity, and the driver likely hadn't even noticed. This is why you need to trust the professionals, folks.

16. Put That Drill Away

Guy tried to change his own oil. Said the plug broke and he couldn’t get it out so he drilled it..... from r/Justrolledintotheshop

Speaking of drivers taking things into their own hands and failing terribly, this DIY-er took a novel approach to changing his oil. When he couldn't get the plug out, he decided to just go for broke and drill a hole.

As one Reddit commenter rightly pointed out - "When you're changing your oil and decide you need a drill, you should stop."

17. Staring Into Your Soul

This door handle from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

Customizing your car can be a fun way to stand out from the crowd and express your personality through your vehicle. Just make sure you're using the appropriate parts, installed correctly by someone who knows what they're doing. 

Not only is this door handle a little spooky, it looks like it could easily be pulled right off.

18. Hitching A Ride

Loose exhaust? Just tie it to your toe hitch! from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

If your exhaust is loose and dragging along the ground, go get it fixed. Don't just tie it to your tow hitch and consider it a job well done. 

19. Why Wood You Do That?

Just pulled in this morning from r/Justrolledintotheshop

There are instances when wood detailing can be used on a car. This isn't one of them. 

If you're looking to spruce up your car's exterior, don't attempt to nail some timber onto it and pat yourself on the back. Speak to a professional and see how they can help you get the most attractive and safe option.

20. Let the Sunshine In

Pay for a sunroof??? You must be mad! I'll make my own! from r/DiWHY

You're driving along on a sunny day, when suddenly your self-repaired sunroof falls down on top of you. Doesn't sound fun, does it?

Thankfully you can avoid the above scenario by just going to a mechanic instead. That way you can enjoy the sunshine and the wind in your hair, without the fear that your handiwork will crash down on you.

21. This Has To Be Illegal

DIY Brake light repair. from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

It really can't be stressed enough, but don't take risks when it comes to the lights on your car. They're there to keep you and other drivers safe, so if they break it's your duty to get them repaired or replaced in a timely manner.

What you absolutely should not do is glue a bunch of things that look like the composite parts of a light onto your car, and drive away into the sunset.

22. Like Driving a Baked Potato

Taking tinfoil hat to another level from r/Shitty_Car_Mods

Again, if you're missing windows and other crucial exterior components, you need to get that sorted out by a professional. No amount of tinfoil can save this car.

The flap substituting as a door handle was a nice touch though.

23. Tricycles Are For Toddlers

What is wrong with the creator? from r/DiWHY

There's so much wrong with this image. Where are the lights? Will the tire really stay in place? Were they actually able to drive that thing?!

You can't turn your car into a tricycle. If you need new wheels, you know what to do - go to a mechanic!

24. I Must Axe You A Question

Don’t worry it’ll buff right out (x-post r/insanepeoplefacebook) from r/DiWHY

If you're approaching your car with an ax, maybe take a minute and consider your options. Do you really need to viciously attack your lug nuts, or could a mechanic sort this out for you quickly and easily?

There is absolutely no reason why you should ever need to "fix" part of your vehicle with an ax.

25. It Will Drive You to Drink

I don't think this is legal from r/DiWHY

As previously stated, lights are so important. Don't skimp on your tail lights if you want to avoid accidents and tickets.

And definitely don't paint a plastic bottle to look like a tail light and hope no one will notice