How to Find To Car Mechanic
A little knowledge can go a long way, saves time and money. Fear is your worst enemy, and fear comes from lack of knowledge. If you think dealing with the auto shop is a nightmare, this is for you.
Here are a few tips to help you choose reliable car mechanic.
Tip 1 - Recommendations
Ask other people for the name of a reliable car mechanic. If someone gives you the name of a friend or a relative that is an auto mechanic that doesn't guarantee reliability, knowledge or honesty. If possible ask your friend or relative to talk to the mechanic, to let them know you are going to contact them. If you have a problem with the mechanic let your friend or relative know what happened.
Tip 2 - Qualifications & Certifications
Check the qualifications and the certifications of both the auto mechanic and the auto repair shop.
Find out if your country/state/Providence has any specific qualification for car mechanic either voluntary or mandatory.
- Check to see if the car mechanic meets the required qualifications and/or certificates.
- If possible check with the organization to verify the car mechanic's qualifications and/or certificates are valid.
- Check the local consumer agency either public or private to see if their are any complaints against the auto repair shop.
- Search the Internet on local forums, it is possible to find out information about the auto repair shop. Don't always believe what you read, but it can give you an idea.
- Remember just because a car mechanic is qualified and/or certified that doesn't make him or her honest or reliable.
Tip 3 - Interview
Interview auto repair shops by telephone before you take your car to a auto repair shop, call ahead of time with a list of questions, and compare the answers. Here are a few questions you might want to ask:
- How much do you charge for .......
- Do I have to make an appointment or can I just bring it in?
- How long does it take to get an appointment?
- Do you guarantee your work/repairs?
- What exactly is covered by the guarantee, and for how long is the car under guarantee?
- Do they treat you with respect?
Here are a few things that you might want to pay attention to while on the phone:
- Is the auto shop willing to answer your questions on the telephone?
- Are they respectful on the phone?
- Do they try to be helpful?
Tip 4 - Compare Your Car Manual to the Mechanics Recommendations
Read your car's user manual. It will state a recommended maintenance routine for your car. Talk to different car mechanics, and ask them there option what type of car maintenance is necessary. When you go to fill your car up at the pumps, ask if you you could ask a mechanic a few questions. If you prefer you can call/fax/email the auto repair shop to find out the information that you want. Compare the mechanics recommendations to the recommendations of your car's manual. If the mechanic recommends a more expensive routine maintenance, then the car manual, then be specious. Here are some questions that you might want to ask:
- Ask the mechanic why he/she recommends a different maintenance routine? What is the difference in the cost of the two types of maintenance routines?
- Is the mechanic willing to perform maintenance routine that is recommended in by your car's user manual? Or is he/she insist on the more expensive maintenance routine?
- Check with other auto shops, if you live in a small town, try a auto repair shop in a different town or a near by city and receive their options this can even be done via the phone/fax/email.
Tip 5 - Clearly State The Problem
Whenever you have a dealing for an auto repair shop it is a good idea to put everything in writing, and keep a copy for yourself. It is not only for your protection, but also to prevent any misunderstands. State the exact problem with your can in writing state the following:
- When the problem started.
- When the problem occurs (such as at braking, stopping etc)
- If there were previous repairs done to correct the problem
- If the car is making a strange noise, try to record the noise, and state when the noise occurs.
- If there fluid under the car, if so what color and where under the car. (If you are not sure check a few times)
- Are any of the light gauges flashing or on.
- Also any other details that you can think of write down.
If possible talk to the mechanic that will be fixing your car. Before you agree to any work on your car you should request the following:
- Insist on a written estimate before the mechanic starts working on your car.
- Ask the mechanic what he thinks could be the problem, before he starts the work.
- If possible ask the mechanic to e-mail or fax you the estimate. The reason it is better to have the estimate faxed or emailed is that it will be easier for you to check around if the estimate is correct.
- The estimate should include: labor cost, parts - it should state if the parts are used or new, warranty information.
- If you are not sure you can fax/email the estimate to other car repair shops to see how much they would charge you for the same repairs.
Tip 6 - Car Parts
If your car needs new parts her are some tips to keep in mind:
- Tell the mechanic ahead of time, that you want all the used parts returned to you. If the mechanic gets defensive or upset at your request, it is time to be specious.
- Bring a bag or box with you so you can carry the used part/s.
- Ask if you or someone else can watch while the used part is being repaired. You don't want to pay for a new part, just to find out the he replaced the old part with a used part, or didn't even change the part.
- Ask for a receipt for all the parts that were replaced, even if the part was replaced with a used or rebuild part.
- Find out if it is possible to buy the parts outside the shop.
- Is it possible to buy a used part or rebuild part?
- Is it possible to use a cheaper part/s?
- Is their a guarantee on the part/s? Ask the auto shop to give you a written guarantee.
- If the work or parts are done under the table to save taxes, still ask for something in writing that the shop did the work, or record all the conversations that you have with the mechanic and/or auto repair shop.
Tip 7 - Estimates
Tell the mechanic that you want a written estimate before he or she does any work on your car. Make sure the estimate covers the following:
- work orders
- part prices
- labor rates
- warranty information
Once you have your estimate you might want to ask some of the following questions:
- Find out if their is a cheaper way to perform the necessary repairs.
- Which repairs are necessary, and which are optional?
- Why are the repairs that are optional necessary?
- Is there anything that I did to cause the need for repairs?
- What do you recommend if anything to prevent future repairs?
Tip 8 - Check Reliability
Ask the the mechanic to check something that doesn't need to be repaired, or ask them to check your oil or tires. It is a good way to check their honesty and reliability.
- Is he honest?
- Does the mechanic have the patience to explain the problem, and offer you a solution?
- Does he try to repair something that doesn't need repairing?
- Are they respectful?
- Do you address you correctly?
- Do the other mechanic's use appropriate language?
- If the auto shop
sells diffident types of oil, or other products do they always
recommend the more expensive product. If they tell you the less
expensive product is not reliable, then why do they sell something that
is not reliable?
Tip 9 - Mechanic's Personality & Atmosphere
The personality of the mechanic and the atmosphere of the shop can indicate to you the type of service you could expect.
- Does the mechanic listen to the problem?
- Does he or her respect you, your concerns, and options?
- Does he or she pressure you into doing repairs that you don't think are necessary?
- Do you feel comfortable around the mechanic?
- Does he or she hold up the the time table that was agreed on?
- Do the mechanics respect each other, or at least appear to? Do they fight between themselves? Play loud disrespectful music?
- Do the mechanics appear busy or spending a lot of time hanging around?
- If possible while you are waiting talk to the
other customers, and get their opinion? Are they customers of the auto
shop for an extended period of time, or is it everybody's first time at
that auto shop?
Tip 10 - Physical Aspects
The physical aspects of the repair shop can indicate the type of service to expect, but not always. Drive by the auto repair shop just to get an impression.
- Who is hanging around the shop. Is the shop clean?
- Are there & men waiting for service or to pick up their car?
- Is the price list up to date?
- Are there the same people working there all the time, or do the people working there change weekly?
- The most important thing is do you feel computable going there?
- Is there a "waiting room" for you to wait?
- Does the auto repair shop look like a junk yard?
