6 Signs When It’s Time to Change Mechanics

You probably already know about the value of having a regular car service. Keeping your vehicle in tip top condition is vital for safe motoring as well as ensuring that you preserve its value.

Sometimes however you might discover that your vehicle is not necessarily in the right hands when it comes to professional servicing. Although you can usually depend upon well-known brand names in the vehicle servicing industry, things can easily go awry when you book your car in to a service station with which you have had limited contact.

Imagine discovering that your servicing costs are going through the roof or that you have to constantly rebook your vehicle for repairs that have not been performed properly in the first place. Unfortunately this can happen from time to time and you need to keep your wits about you so that you don’t get into a car servicing spiral. In simple terms, you need to know when your car mechanic is clueless!

Here are some tell-tale signs that it could be time to change your mechanic.

• You are asked to pay for repairs before the service has been performed. All reputable operators ask you to sign an authority before servicing begins but you should never pay until the work is completed. This is normal business practice and any mechanic who strays from this should be treated with suspicion.
• There is no indication that the mechanic is fully certified. Most service stations and professional operators will display the qualifications held by the mechanics in their workshop. If you are uncertain make sure you ask questions beforehand, and if you discover that the mechanics are not able to prove their expertise, take your car somewhere else.
• If the mechanic attempts to diagnose your vehicle after you have given only a broad indication of the problem, you may be in the hands of an amateur. A good mechanic will perform the necessary checks before completely diagnosing the fault and will give you details after their initial assessment has been completed
• If the mechanic does not appear to have specific knowledge of your car?s problem the chances are he or she is insufficiently trained. If you are in any doubt, ask whether they have had any prior experience with your make of vehicle and be prepared to book your car in with another mechanic if you are not satisfied that they have sufficient experience.
• Timeliness of repairs. A good service station will be able to give you an accurate estimate of the time and cost of the repairs necessary for your vehicle. If the timeframe appears particularly long you should ask for an explanation and, if you are not satisfied, you should tell them you want to obtain another quote from another mechanic.
• Add-on services. Sometimes the mechanic may suggest extra repairs that don’t appear sensible. This could be an indication of over servicing and you should be wary of any unnecessary expenses. In many circumstances this will be a gut reaction on your part, but be certain to query the need for anything the mechanic suggests.

As stated previously, having a regular car service is simple common sense, but it is equally important to choose your mechanic carefully and do a little research before deciding to whom you will entrust your vehicle.