How to Ensure You’re Getting the Best Car Repair
For many people, going to a mechanic is a hit-and-miss affair. If you don?t know much about the inner workings of your engine, you have probably resigned your self to never knowing if you’re getting a good deal on your car service and repairs, constantly wondering if something really needed to be changed, and dreading the next time your car goes to the mechanic. Today we are looking at how even those with no knowledge of car repairs or motor mechanics can ensure they are getting the best car repair.
What makes a good mechanic … and a bad mechanic?
We all have an intuitive understanding of what makes a good car?mechanic – sometimes it helps to articulate it, though. A good mechanic will:
- Accurately identify what is wrong with the car
- If this is not possible, will allot a set amount of diagnostic time and contact you to let you know before commencing work or if it is a mobile mechanic they will show you the problem on the spot.
- Give you an upfront quote on your car repairs
- Offer a warranty on their work
- Professionally and promptly resolve any issues with their work, within the warranty framework
- If the organization is large, make sure that the mechanics are employees rather than contractors – less possibility of conflict of interest
- Be a member of the various automobile associations in their country of residence
There are hundreds of stories about dishonest, lazy, overcharging and argumentative mechanics online. Some common themes in people’s complaints about bad mechanics are:
- They didn?t spot a problem that they should have seen – now it has gotten worse
- They didn?t tighten a bolt or place something properly
- They charged me much more than they said they would when I dropped off the car
- They told them something needed to be replaced which was not faulty
- They drove their car for non-diagnostic purposes
Looking for the following signposts and markers of a good mechanic can save you a lot of heartache in the long run!
New Car Services
You have the right to take your new car to be serviced by anyone, without being beholden to the manufacturer or new car dealer, without affecting your statutory warranty. The only stipulation is that they are qualified, use parts and fluids that meet the manufacturer?s specifications and stamp your log book. However, you certainly want to make sure they have the same technical knowledge and high standards. A warranty on their own work is needed, and if your car repairer is a member of industry associations with strong Codes of Ethics (the MTA is an example), it shows that your new car services are being performed by experts.
Fixed Price Quotes
If your mechanic is willing to offer you a fixed price quote, you can be confident that repair bills will not be significantly larger than you expect. Offering fixed price quotes also shows that the mechanic is confident enough of their skills that they don’t think they will lose money by giving you a fixed price. If you use mobile mechanic services, you will often have the option to authorise extra, necessary repairs on the spot and with full visual confirmation of the problem.
Warranties
A written warranty (and a customer service team that makes you feel confident that claiming on it will not be more trouble than it is worth!), is the ultimate mark of trustworthiness from a mechanic.
Your parents, brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues all need to get their car serviced and repaired. Using their experiences to add to your stockpile of knowledge about local and mobile mechanics is an extremely valuable strategy.
No Pressure tactics
Your mechanic should not pressure you into having a whole lot of work done. The work required should be written out in order of priority from urgent to routine maintenance and discussed with you, so you can decide what should be done and when.
