For most individuals, a car is a sizable investment. So it's important to find someone you can trust to fix it when something goes wrong. And while you may think that finding a trustworthy mechanic is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, here are some suggestions to help you find one who is both reliable and qualified.
The search:
The key to finding a good mechanic is to start looking for one before you need to have your car repaired. Rushing to the nearest repair shop when your transmission fails or timing belt breaks is not a good way to start your search. Instead, you should establish a relationship with a mechanic by bringing your car in for regular servicing--something every car owner should do anyway. You can start with something as simple as an oil change.
You'll also want to keep the following points in mind during your search:
- Rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from family and friends
- Check with your local business association (e.g., Better Business Bureau) for information on specific repair shops
- Don't base your decision on price alone--cheaper service doesn't always mean better service
Once you've found a repair shop:
Once you've found a repair shop, you'll want to make a couple of observations. Is the shop neat and well organized? Is the staff helpful and courteous?
And be sure to ask the following questions:
- Do they have references on hand from repeat and past customers?
- Do they have up-to-date equipment that can accurately diagnose your car's repair needs?
- Do they specialize in repairing a particular car make/model?
- Do they specialize in a particular type of repair work?
- Do they employ professionally certified technicians? (Look for Automotive Service Excellence certification, trade school diplomas, advanced course work certificates, etc.)
- What types of parts do they use (e.g., brand name, used) when repairing vehicles?
- What is their customer satisfaction policy, if any?
- What types of payment are accepted (e.g., cash only, credit cards)?
- What are their labor rates?
Some final notes:
Finally, once the repair work is finished, make sure that you keep all receipts and service records. And since most repair shops highly value customer satisfaction, don't be shy about letting them know whether you're happy with the work that was done.
Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.