Finding High-Quality Auto Repair Shop

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN FINDING A CAR REPAIR SHOP

OWNING A CAR IS A BIG INVESTMENT AND INCLUDES A LOT OF FREEDOM. WITH THAT FREEDOM, THERE ARE MANY CHOICES, INCLUDING WHERE TO TAKE YOUR CARS FOR REPAIR. IN THIS WEEK’S BLOG WE WILL LOOK AT A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN FINDING A AUTO REPAIR MECHANISE  .

Tips to guide you to the best local mechanics and how to assess the repair estimate

Before you have any maintenance or repair work done on your vehicle, you need to find a reliable mechanic.

How do you know which stores are credible and trustworthy? Judging by an advertisement is not a useful or good indicator, and neither is a visit to the store. “A lot of stores and national chains have big, nice facilities,” said Jill Trotta, vice president at RepairPal, a website that estimates auto repair costs. (RepairPal is a partner of Consumer Reports.) “But that’s where the investment ends. Ask questions and look around. Often the store that isn’t as clean or doesn’t have a nice waiting area means they may be investing in training, tools, and their staff.”

Here are some basics for identifying a good store, according to John Ibbotson, a chief mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center.

Ask for Recommendations

Quality mechanics build a good reputation in their community. Ask around. This becomes especially relevant if you ask someone who has a car similar to yours.

Search for online reviews

You can find information about local mechanics through AAA, Angi (formerly Angie’s List), RepairPal, and Yelp. Consider asking for recommendations from people in Facebook groups for your area.

Find Speciality Stores

Garages that focus on the brand of vehicle you have are more likely to have the latest training and equipment.”

Don’t wait until you need it: try to find a car repair shop you trust before you get stuck on the side of the road. Having someone who knows you and your car when you call can save you and the shop time and get you up and running faster.

Take your car for a test drive: If you’re not sure if an auto repair shop is right for you, try taking your vehicle in for a little something and see how they do it. This way you can estimate how you will be treated as a customer without spending too much money.

Does the store have certified Auto Repair Mechanics: is it always a good idea to make sure the people who work on your car are certified by the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) to work on the specific make of your car? Fortunately, our technicians go through the ASE training and certification process.

How long the store has been around: A business’s longevity is a good indicator of the kind of service you’re getting. Keep in mind that if customers were dissatisfied, the business would probably have shut down long ago.

How engaged they are with the community: Auto repair shops are concerned with keeping repeat customers happy and spreading the word. A good way to do this is through positive outreach, so try to see if the store has any kind of community involvement they participate in.

Make sure the store can handle your car: it seems like there are new updates in the automotive world every year. Sometimes it can be difficult for auto shops to keep up with the ever-changing needs of the automotive world. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to make sure the shop can work on your car. Chances are, if the place you call can’t work on your car, they will refer you to someone who can.

Ask questions: Have questions ready when you first visit a mechanic or auto repair shop. It is always good to know more about the vehicle you are driving, but it also shows that you are serious about the situation.

Location and Transportation: How far is the auto repair mechanics facility from where you are? Do they offer any kind of transportation assistance while your car is in the shop? These are two good questions to ask, as the shop will likely have your car for at least a day.

Only pay for what you authorize: Some stores will do work on your car without notifying you and then try to charge you without warning. You may owe the initial quoted cost, but no shop is allowed to work on your car without your permission and they cannot hold your car as collateral.

Keeping track of employee records: Whether or not you’re looking for a shop, it’s always a good idea to keep track of when your car was last serviced and any repairs made up to the time you bring it in. This information will help the store assess what’s wrong and avoid paying for extra things you may not need.