As a car or truck owner, it’s a good idea to have an automotive mechanic that you trust to service and work on your vehicles. This includes routine maintenance as recommended in your Owner’s Manuals as well as any unexpected auto repairs. Having a steady technician makes it easier to schedule maintenance services and allows him, or her, to become familiar with the ins and outs of your cars and be better equipped to help you maintain them. They may pick up on an issue and fix it before it becomes a problem, and you’ll be saved the stress of trying to quickly find someone qualified when trouble strikes.
So don’t wait for a breakdown. If you don’t have a regular auto shop, here are tips to finding a reliable auto mechanic for long-term car care.
Get referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations
Start by asking friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers for referrals. If you ask enough people, especially in your local geographic area, you’ll start to hear business names repeated from satisfied customers. Plus, if someone had a particularly bad experience at a local garage, you’ll hear about that too and know who to avoid. If you have a specialty-type luxury or sports car, talk to owners of your same make or model for recommendations of automotive specialists for classic cars, muscle cars, exotic, European, and Asian models.
Check online reviews
In conjunction with referrals, check for information and reviews about local mechanics from third-party reviewers like Consumer Reports Car Repair Assistant, the Mechanics Files at Cartalk.com, AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) network, and the Better Business Bureau for accredited garages in your area. Other options include Yelp and Google for reviews of local auto shops. Be forewarned, these types of reviews can be manipulated (bad ones removed), and a recent study reveal by Reputation.com found that “about 20% of reviews are fake.”
Be sure they know your brand of car
Unless marketed as a specialty garage, most auto shops and mechanics can efficiently work on most makes and models of vehicles. Especially for routine maintenance, any professional auto shop should be able to perform the necessary tasks. A good technician will tell your upfront if your car is not one they are familiar with, aren’t comfortable working on, or if the diagnosed problem warrants a trip to the dealership or a specialty garage. Shops that specialize in your vehicle's brand are more likely to have the latest training, up-to-date information, and equipment to fix your vehicle.
Verify they have trained, experienced, and certified technicians
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is an independent, non-profit organization that tests and certifies auto mechanics and technicians. An ASE certification is the standard credential that helps identify auto mechanics who have the knowledge and skills to efficiently diagnose, repair, and service passenger vehicles. Passing all eight test modules will earn a Master Technician designation. Certification is good for five years and ongoing training/testing is required to maintain an ASE certification. Individual mechanics can also receive manufacturer certifications indicating specific, in-depth training for that automaker’s brands. Repair shops that employ ASE certified mechanics obviously strive for excellence in training and experience. You may pay a little more for a good, certified mechanic’s time, but you will save money having the job done right the first time.
Ask about up-to-date equipment and technology
Along with qualified mechanics, repair shops and garages need to have up-to-date equipment and technology. Today’s cars are like advanced computers on wheels and require mechanics who understand how the integrated, complex systems work. Additionally, they should have the latest diagnostic equipment and tools or subscribe to a service like LKQ Corporation’s Elitek® Vehicle Services that provides on-site and remote diagnostic services like scans, programming, and repair planning, including qualified technicians for live chat support or on-site assistance.
Do they offer written estimates
Before you leave your car for service, make sure you will receive a written estimate describing the work to be done, any diagnostic testing required, price quote or range, and time requirement. A smile and a handshake aren’t enough if later you’re hit with a much higher repair bill than you expected. Ensure that they only do work authorized by you once the necessity for it is explained and pricing is discussed if it varies from the original estimate. You want the mechanic to detail exactly what is wrong with your car and tell if repairs will be done with OEM new parts, OEM used car parts, or new aftermarket parts.
What type of warranty do they offer
Ask what kind of guarantees or warranty they give on service and on any auto parts they procure and install. Warranties can vary greatly from shop to shop, subject to limitations, including time and mileage, so ask about this ahead of time. You might want to check out several repair shops in the area, using a common repair like brake pad replacement, to see how they stack up to other local businesses.
Should you find a dealership or an independent auto shop
If you have a new car or purchased a used car that is still under warranty, your local dealership is probably the best bet for repair services that would be covered by warranty. Maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations may be cheaper elsewhere than at the dealership but check your car warranty first to see if dealership maintenance is a requirement to keep the warranty in force. Additionally, any recalls to fix a defect should definitely be done at the dealership as there will be no charge.
Outside of warranty maintenance or car repair, the debate of dealership service versus an independent repair shop carries on. Which is better, cheaper, and faster to get you back on the road? Maybe a combination of the two is the best overall safeguard. Here are advantages of each to help you decide.
Dealership advantages
· Mechanics in the dealership's service department are specifically trained and certified in all aspects of their car and truck models.
· They’ll be equipped with the necessary diagnostic equipment and tools, including proprietary information on their new vehicles.
· Dealers intimately know the makes and models they sell and can usually identify a problem faster.
· May provide a loaner car or courtesy shuttle if your car is kept for an extended time.
Independent shop advantages
· Usually, a smaller number of technicians so you can stay with one you especially like.
· You get to know the owner and technicians and can directly ask questions to the mechanic working on your car.
· May use aftermarket parts rather than more expensive OEM parts or even used car OEM parts to save you money on repair.
· Labor rates will most likely be lower than at a dealership.
· With modern diagnostic equipment, they can solve complicated problems and program new components just like the dealership does.
Experienced, trustworthy automotive technicians are out there and finding one you like is a top priority for any driver. Build a professional relationship with a good mechanic and you can be confident that your vehicle will be treated right for routine maintenance or a major repair problem. A good mechanic and LKQ Online used auto parts and new aftermarket parts will ensure your car or truck gets what it needs for continued top performance at a reasonable price.