How To Choose An Honest Auto Mechanic

How To Choose An Honest Mechanic

Nobody likes unexpected car troubles, and they become even more stressful when they come with a huge repair bill. If there is one thing that you need as a car owner, it is an honest and trustworthy mechanic who will take care of your car and who won’t charge you an arm and a leg. While most automotive shops are professional and competent, there are some mechanics who will do shoddy repairs, try to up-sell you, and overcharge for simple fixes. This can make your visit to the auto shop stressful, and leave you wondering ‘how big will my bill be this time?’. Below are some tips and tricks that you can use to make sure that you are dealing with a mechanic that you can trust.

Find Out Who the Local Businesses Use

Your local area probably has a large array of delivery vehicles, taxis, and company cars that all need to be kept in top shape for the businesses that own them. If you can, find out who services these corporate vehicles – there is a good chance that they are a reliable and professional mechanic. If the auto repair shop is in a convenient location for you, consider giving them a try for your next auto service. If you are having trouble finding this information, just ask one of the drivers the next time you receive a delivery or take a taxi.

Look for Recommendations Online

While online reviews aren’t perfect, they can definitely help you get a sense of the type of auto shop you are dealing with. You can take a look at Yelp reviews, Google reviews, and online forums to help you make a solid choice. You can even ask friends or followers on social media for their opinions and recommendations – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be excellent sources for local recommendations. Be sure to look at a wide variety of reviews in order to get a more accurate look at the business, and definitely look at more than one auto shop’s reviews.

Ask for Certifications and Warranties

When an auto shop and their staff have certifications, accreditation’s, and warranties in place, you know that they are serious about providing professional service. Accreditation and support from organizations such as the Automotive Industries Association of Canada or the Better Business Bureau can help you narrow down your search, and you should also look for professionally trained certified mechanics. Mechanics with certifications have often completed a set amount of hands-on experience and have also passed a variety of tests about automotive repairs, and this is valuable for you as a customer. While accreditation and certification isn’t everything, there is something to be said for having your mechanic’s work backed by others.

Have a Conversation With Your Potential Mechanic

There is no better way to get to know your mechanic than by chatting with them for a few minutes. Before handing over the keys to your car, take a minute to ask the mechanic any questions that you may have.

These could include:

• How many years of experience do you have?
• How long has this business been open?
• What type of training do you have?
• Is your work guaranteed/do you offer a warranty?
• Do you offer a car rental or shuttle service while my car is being serviced?
• What is your payment policy?
• Do you offer free estimates?
• Do you have different labor rates for different types of work?
• Do you always order in parts, or do you carry a range of parts in store?

If you are comfortable with their answers and choose to continue with their service, don’t be afraid to also talk to your mechanic after work has been completed. Ask them to explain the work they did on your vehicle – even if you don’t understand all of it you may be able to get a sense of how knowledgeable and trustworthy the mechanic is. You can also learn about the inner workings of your car, which will help you spot potential up-selling in the future.

Start With the Routine Stuff

You don’t want to be searching out a new mechanic when you are having major car troubles – especially since you might be in a hurry to get the issue fixed. The best time to find a new mechanic is when you need a small, routine job done such as an oil change or inspection. Use your next routine service to test out your potential new mechanic’s service and professionalism. After the service, ask yourself: Was the price reasonable? Was the service quick? Did they try to up-sell you? Did you feel that you could trust the employees that you dealt with? The answers to these questions should tell you if you will be using that auto shop again or not.

If your car has a larger breakdown and starting with a small job isn’t an option for you, be sure to ask as many questions as you need to – and if your mechanic doesn’t seem to have time to put your mind at ease, you probably don’t want them working on your vehicle.

Finding an honest mechanic that you can trust to give you a fair price isn’t as tough as you might think – follow the advice above and you won’t find yourself dreading the results of your next visit to the auto shop.

Looking for somewhere to start in your search for an honest mechanic? Contact us today to talk about the benefits of choosing our team for your automotive needs!