5 Smart Ways To Find a Trustworthy Mechanic
Written by
T. Woods
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Nicholas Morine
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So often, car buyers are given the advice to find a trustworthy mechanic. But how do you find a mechanic who won’t overcharge you — and will instead give you the best advice while delivering quality results?
No matter how well you take care of your car, no matter how often you perform proper maintenance, no matter how expensive and fancy your set of wheels may be — at some point, your vehicle will require repairs, or at the very least a serious service visit. Sure, while your car is under warranty you can visit your dealer’s mechanic, but what happens when it slips out of warranty? Or, what if you don’t trust your dealer’s mechanic?
Trust is crucial between yourself and your mechanic. Auto repairs and maintenance can be an expensive and ongoing proposition at times, and you need to feel confident in the person you trust to maintain your vehicle’s safety — as well as your own — and how much they charge to do so. Dig into this list of guidelines to help find the mechanic who is right for you.
Don’t Settle for Your Dealer’s Mechanic
Car Coach Reports auto expert and analyst Lauren Fix, in an interview with Forbes, noted that “Most consumers don’t realize they don’t have to go to the dealer for service and repairs. There are thousands of reliable and reputable independent mechanics who can work on cars and trucks as knowledgeably.” You don’t have to arbitrarily accept the dealer’s mechanic as your own. Instead, you can seek out the professional with whom you feel most comfortable.
You Need Automotive Service Excellence
Fix went on to note that one should “always seek out an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technician. ASE’s purpose is to protect vehicle owners and provide the peace of mind people expect when they take their car into a mechanic shop.” A mechanic who is ASE certified is a mechanic who has undergone licensed testing to guarantee they can reliably service your vehicle.
Consult Those Whom You Already Trust
The folks at AARP suggest that, in order to find a trustworthy mechanic, you should turn to those with whom you already rely upon.
They recommend that you consult friends, colleagues and family members, asking for recommendations based upon the mechanics whom they regard highly. In an interview with AARP, Amy Mattinat — the owner of independent auto repair center Auto Craftsmen — instructed that you ask loved ones “where they go, how long they’ve been going and what they drive. You want the best facility that’s going to give you what you need to make informed decisions about your vehicle.”
Ask Questions About Your Model
Andrea Dello Russo, a mechanic at repair shop Andrea‘s Auto, told the AARP that car owners should always ask questions about their make and model to prospective mechanics. “Vehicles are constantly changing,” she said, “so the best thing you can do is ask, ‘Are you comfortable working on this?'” Let the mechanic display their acumen for your unique vehicle before simply handing them the keys and hoping for the best.
“Many drivability problems are connected to the computer of the car; it’s not just turning wrenches anymore,” Mattinat added to Dello Russo’s suggestion. “Unfortunately, there is not one scan tool that works on all makes and models, so if you drive a Volvo, you want a shop that has a Volvo technician and up-to-date diagnostic equipment so they can connect to your car and take care of technical problems.”
Look for Warranties
Fix suggested that any truly reliable mechanic will always stand behind their work in the form of a warranty.
She suggest you find a mechanic that always provides a warranty for their work, along with a detailed invoice of exactly what it is they did to your car. The detailed receipt will show you exactly what is covered under their warranty, and the warranty itself provides you with a document of trust between you and your new mechanic.
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