With summer fast approaching bringing hot weather and lots of travel, it might be a good time to take your car in for some maintenance.
From air conditioner checks to tune-ups to trip checks, cars need scheduled maintenance. Not knowing who to take your car to during this time can be dangerous business.
We see sell ads every day offering air checks for under $30, but how do you know if a mechanic is reputable. As someone who has been burned by a chain automotive place known as Wal-Mart, the best advice I can give is to find a good, trustworthy mechanic.
Here are some tips to find a trustworthy mechanic.
Ask friends
If you are new to an area or not, asking friends who they use for car repair is the best route to go. Word-of-mouth advertising can be your best bet. Friends are not going to send you to someone they do not trust their self.
Plan ahead
The worse time to look for a mechanic is when you are having car trouble. Take initiative and plan ahead and visit shops. You can make better decisions when you are not panicked or rushed.
Do a Trial Run
Get an unscheduled oil change and see if they overcharge you or do a great job. Look for customer service, cost as well as the work they put into your car. See if they try to upsell you on other repairs. Most likely if they do, they are only looking at making that dollar.
Look for certifications
Look for shops with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification signs. Without this credential, it is just opinion on how good a mechanic is actually.
Check with the local consumer organization
Check a business's reputation to see how many complaints they have received and the time in which they were resolved.
Better Business Bureau Membership
Look for shops that are members of the Better Business Bureau as well as any awards they might have received.
Costs
Look for shops that openly publicize costs. It shows that they charge the same no matter what or who you are. Ask for written estimates and warranties on repairs.
These are just a few tips. Go with your instincts if a mechanic feels wrong, most likely they are wrong for you.
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