Eye of Newt, Wing of Bat, 1/2-Inch Spanner

Thousands of “magic garages” are lending a touch of wizardry to auto repairs in Indonesia--where many hold mystic beliefs and swear by the mechanics who cast spells on their cars.

Satisfied customers offer plenty of stories of comparatively low prices for good work done quickly and in the strictest of confidence.

But skeptics abound, and not a shred of scientific evidence supports the claims made by boosters of the booming trade.

“Ketok,” or “knock,” magic is credited to Turut, who opened an auto body workshop in Blitar in 1956. Like many Indonesians, he used only one name.

By the time Turut died at 74 in 1982, he was regarded as the Merlin of mechanics.

Apprentice magician-mechanics undergo rigid technical training as well as periodic fasting. They promise never to cheat their customers.

Repairs are performed behind closed doors. Customers are barred from watching or even looking at the tools.

Where ordinary garages offer a cost estimate, magic garages set firm prices.

One magic mechanic said a car that would need two weeks to repair in a conventional garage could be done by his specialists in a week at one-third the cost.