Choosing the right mechanic is more complicated than you think, especially if you need your car repaired. Car repairs can get expensive fast, so you must choose someone you can trust to do the job right the first time and avoid additional expenses later on down the road. To help you make the best decision, we’ve put together this guide to choosing a mechanic based on your particular situation and what kind of mechanic you’re looking for.
Tip 1: Ask Friends
When looking for the best mechanic, one of the first places you should start is by asking people you know and trust. The car care industry, especially independently owned shops, depends more heavily on reputation and word-of-mouth advertising than many other industries. Therefore, shops with good community reputations should be worth your consideration.
Tip 2: Shop Around
Visit a few shops around town to see how they operate. It is essential to look around to understand how the shop operates if it looks clean and organized, and how the management interacts with the technicians. Also, ask about labor rates and if they have experience working on your specific make and model of car.
Tip 3: Check Reviews
Another good source of information will be online reviews. Typically, several sites will have places where customers can post reviews that may be helpful. But, again, it’s essential to read some of the thoughts instead of only looking at the total number of stars to see the nature of complaints or praise.
Tip 4: Keep an Eye on Your Car
Once you select a mechanic, please pay attention to your car once you bring it in for service. Your technician should recommend additional services that your vehicle may need and should always be able to explain why these services are necessary. Also, your car should be kept clean, and workers should use disposable floor and seat covers while service is performed.
Tip 5: Know When it’s Time to Look for a New Mechanic
Sometimes you may need to find a new mechanic for various reasons. First, suppose you are given incorrect information related to repairs or diagnosis of a problem. In that case, you should consider taking your business elsewhere. Of course, it’s ok for a professional to tell you they need to gather more information to find the nature of a specific problem or, in some cases, refer you to a different shop for a particular repair. Still, it is never ok for your mechanic to give you false or misleading information. The car care business is as much about trust as anything, and a mechanic that does not take this seriously is probably not worth doing business with.
If you are looking for a mechanic to care for your vehicle, it’s always a good idea to shop around, ask friends, and do some research. Once you find the right person, you will feel more at ease when it comes time for maintenance or repairs.
