I had a shop insist that a 2007 Corolla was badly in need of a four wheel alignment once. Tried to argue with me about it. That Corolla did not have an independent rear suspension, which is the only kind that requires alignment. They then claimed I had misunderstood, that they meant the rear suspension needed to be shimmed, which cost even more. I asked how they determined that, since there was no noticeable uneven wear or anything unusual about the tires being rotated. I finally told them to finish what was authorized and take it off the rack. I’ve never gone back to that shop.
The alignment scam is an age old one. If your car is pulling check the air pressure. The scammer mechanics will never tell you that and always try to sell you expensive ‘alignment’ which really only consists of filling your tires to the proper PSI.
These guys prey on the people that they think are morons about cars. Selling them expensive repairs that are not even needed, as this story clearly shows. Stings like this make it easy to catch these thieves because these guys are used to everyone just rolling over for them. When the UC cops try a sting all they have to do is act like they know nothing about mechanics and voila, they try to rip the UC cops off. They should do a lot more of these stings.
If you find an honest reliable auto shop, stick with them.
Stick axles in the rear can also require alignment, but it is rare. Usually seen when someone puts on a lift or does something to bend the suspension. :P
The 07 Corolla... well, you might want to read this: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/132-9th-gen-corolla-1st-gen-matrix-2003-2008/295252-no-adjustment-rear-alignment-07-corolla.html
Just because the rear suspension is designed to not be adjusted doesn’t mean that the need will not arise.
I took my 89 D150 in for some new tires (Pep Boys) and the SM told me I should do an alignment at the same time. A FOUR Wheel alignment. I asked him “hhmmm....how are you going to ‘align’ rear wheels FIXED to a solid axle and differential?”...... I told him “you only do that on front wheel drives.”
He then gave me some BS that “well, truck alignments cost more so there’s no price difference.”
I told them to keep their tires.