Back to all

Finding the Right Mechanic or Repair Shop

Finding the Right Mechanic or Repair Shop

 

When you consider how much you spend over your lifetime in the purchase, maintenance, repair and insuring of your vehicles, your automobile becomes a major part of your financial portfolio.

 

Since car repair mistakes can range from inconvenient, to costly, to dangerous it makes sense that you will want to put the same kind of effort and research into selecting your mechanic as you would for your accountant, financial planner or attorney.

 

Here are some tips for finding a good mechanic that you can trust:

 

Good Referrals…

Do you know someone who has a good mechanic they can recommend to you? Check Google.com for reviews, too.

 

Test Run

A good way to get a feel for a mechanic before you need a major repair is to test out potential shops with small jobs like oil changes and tire rotations.  

 

Free written estimates

Shops should offer free written estimates. Go ahead and get estimates from three different shops. Compare the quotes side by side. Do they all recommend the same solution to your problem? How do the prices compare? What kinds of warranties are they offering for their workmanship.

 

Organized

Do the office and garage areas look like someone takes pride in them? Are they orderly and organized?

 

Do you feel comfortable?

Trusting your gut is often your best test of a mechanic. Does he make you feel comfortable? If he tries to rush your decision or is pushy, consider this a red flag.

 

Check the BBB

Finally, it is always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if this company has received any complaints for poor service. 

 

Finding a trustworthy, thorough, competent, reliable and reasonably priced mechanic for your vehicles will be a benefit for years to come. You will definitely want to have this person or shop selected BEFORE there is an emergency repair needed.

 

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Mr. Muffler Howell

Basic Winter Driving Tips

Basic Winter Driving Tips Even experienced drivers can be thrown for a loop on icy snow covered roads, especially if snow is a rare occurrence where you live. Here are some basic strategies to keep you rolli... More

Tips for Safe Winter Road Trips

Tips for Safe Winter Road Trips Winter road trips offer beautiful scenery and fun destinations for skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more. But driving in winter storms can be potentially dangerous... More

Expert Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers

Expert Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers There are many websites that offer resources for parents of teen drivers. Here are a four of our favoritesfor more tips on keeping your teen driving safety, visit th... More