My friend came to visit me in his 2004 Camry LE 4 CYC 198000. He is not a car guy. I asked him to check out his car since I don't trust the regular oil changes and fluid checks he gets. He said fine give it a whirl.

Found:

1. 2 quarts low, 4-quart engine
2. Very low antifreeze.
3. Completely clogged cabin filter.
4. All hood and trunk channels clogged with leaves.

You would think a mechanic or oil change person would spot this. There was work done on car like struts, alternator, and tires(while back) and looks fine,
Maybe they said they changed it or checked it but did not. The last time I saw this car I was helping him out with it and changed the cabin filter.
It had so much debris it was hard to pull out. It was the same cabin filter.

Glad I checked.

Also noticed front tires need replacement but almost at wear markers and fix flex pipe (told him why noisy). Blew out on trip sometime and normal to go.
I have someone, mechanic, to cut out and weld new one back in. Don't want CO in.

Have not checked air filter. Yet. Trans fluid red and filled OK. Probably will find more.

My friend drove 10 hours to get here so it runs like a champ just noisy due to flex pipe.
Note: No leaks on car and generally in very good shape.

 

You raise some good point about why everyone should have some basic knowledge of car maintenance.
I try to do most of my own work on my car but things like oil changes, are just not time/cost effective for me so I do take it to a place.
They do good work but are dirty. I bring a rag with some cleaner on it when I go to pick up my car to wipe down the steering wheel and gear selector.

 

Thanks for pointing this out. Made me think twice about how I just take things at face value but now I will check what I can. Apperently not everything is actually done.