When you’re having issues with your car, you can’t trust just anyone with your vehicle. You rely on it to get to and from work, and you need to find a good mechanic in your area.
Taking your car to a mechanic solely because they are less expensive than the other mechanics around isn’t always the best idea. You also need to make sure they are going to do a good job on your car.
Saving a few dollars on your visit to the mechanic isn’t going to help if you end up paying for it in the long run because you have to find another mechanic to fix what the other mechanic didn’t fix or made worse.
Continue to read this article and learn how to find a good mechanic that is going to do the job right the first time.
Who Takes Care of the Big Businesses in the Area?
When you find mechanics like the ones at this auto repair shop, check to see if they service big businesses in the area. If the company services big businesses in the area, they are likely to be reliable.
Big businesses count on their fleets, and they will make deals with only the best mechanics so they can get not only a good price but also get reliability. You can even call a large company in the area and ask them who they use to service their fleet.
Are They AAA-Approved?
You don’t have to have AAA to know that their approved mechanics are good at what they do. You can call about their approved auto repair network and see who in the area they work with.
Ask a Friend for a Recommendation
If you have a friend that lives in the area, ask them who they use. Personal recommendations are one of the top ways to make sure you use a mechanic that is going to do a good job for you.
Do They Have Certifications?
Certifications are a helpful way to determine who you want to work with. After you’ve narrowed down your list of shops you are considering, you can do some research on them to see if they have certifications.
One of the important certifications you need to look for is Automotive Service Excellence, aka ASE. Truly reputable shops often only hire mechanics that are ASE-certified.
You should also look at any certifications they have that are specific to your vehicle. If you drive an imported vehicle or a high-end vehicle, it is even more important to make sure they have experience working on your vehicle.
Check Online Reviews
Checking online reviews is a good way to see what past customers are saying about the mechanic. Keep in mind that if there are multiple mechanics that are working in the shop, the rating you see for the shop might not necessarily be for the mechanic that is going to be working on your car.
Some of the most popular places to check online reviews are Google My Business, Yelp, and mechanic specific forums.
Ask Plenty of Questions
The mechanic that is going to be working on your car needs to be knowledgeable. If you’re asking questions and the mechanic can’t answer you confidently, you might want to work with another mechanic.
Know enough about your car that you can tell whether they know what they are doing or not.
One of the questions you should ask is whether the work they are going to do on your vehicle is going to void any of your warranties. If the work they are going to do on your car is going to void your car warranty, it might not be worth it.
A void warranty can cost you thousands of dollars in the future, so make sure to think twice before you have any work done that is going to compromise your vehicle’s warranty.
Check Their BBB Rating
BBB ratings can be helpful when you’re trying to see who is a reputable mechanic. The Better Business Bureau has long been a way to see if a business is good to work with or not.
If you see there are a lot of complaints about a business or that they have a C or below rating with the BBB, then you might want to work with another mechanic. Check the BBB rating and see why they have a low rating, but unless they are your only option, it’s good to go somewhere else.
Ask About Warranties
Warranties are important so you can feel safe about the work the mechanic is doing for your car. While mechanics don’t have to offer a warranty on their work, many mechanics decide to offer a warranty so they can make you feel confident in their work.
The longer the warranty, the better but keep in mind that any warranty is a courtesy from the mechanic.
A Good Mechanic Isn’t Hard to Find
Now that you know more about how to find a good mechanic, you don’t have to stress about vehicle problems. We went over the best ways to find and vet a mechanic, so no matter where you might get hit with car problems, you’ll be able to find the right person to fix your vehicle.
Not ready to stop learning? Our site has many other articles that can help you find the right person to help you with various needs and much more.
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