We’ve all experienced car issues, and we’ve all had that sinking feeling when we realize that something’s gone wrong under the hood. Maybe the engine is making a weird noise, or the air conditioning has stopped blowing cold air on the hottest days of the summer. Maybe you feel a subtle change in the vibrations on the pedal. Nobody likes it when their vehicle stops working the way it should. When that happens, it’s time to find an expert.
Finding the right mechanic can be a daunting task. Your time and money are valuable, and you shouldn’t waste either. There are several considerations that must be made when looking for a good auto repair shop. But you don’t just want a good auto shop; you want the best! Your vehicle deserves the best of care, and you deserve to get it without hassle. Here’s what you should look for when evaluating a mechanic.
Expertise
It’s plain common sense that you need a mechanic that knows what they’re doing. It’s not enough for a mechanic to fix your car, they also must know how to fix it in a way that prevents repeat problems. There’s a difference between slapping some duct tape on a leaky old hose and properly replacing the problem part. You want a mechanic that’s going to find the problem and properly address it and the underlying cause, not just fix the surface level problem. Common problems that go deeper than the surface, like those found at https://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical, can threaten the health of your vehicle.
Similarly, you want to make sure you find an establishment that offers a wide range of services. Ideally, you want to find somewhere that can meet all of your vehicle’s needs under one roof. The convenience of being able to service all of your vehicle’s needs at a single business simply can’t be beat, and will let you build a rapport with the people that take care of your vehicle! More information on what expertise to look for can be found here.
Values
It’s not enough for a repair shop to know how to fix cars, they should also know how to treat their clients. For this, you want to make sure you’re working with a reputable mechanic. The good news is that most modern customers are happy to make their voices heard and opinions known, particularly if they receive either stellar or terrible service. There are plenty of sites, such as Yelp, that allow customers to sound off about a company and their experiences.
There are specific things you should look for when researching an auto repair shop. Generally, auto shops that advertise that they are family owned are more likely to treat you right. Family-owned establishments, like Hub Motor Service at https://www.hubmotor.ca, have the advantage of having established roots in the community. Community bonds are important for any good business, but especially so for one that services something as important as your vehicle.
You should also look for establishments with a reputation for honesty. This is where the consumer usually must put the most faith in a body shop. Most consumers don’t know any more than the basics of car maintenance, and it can be scary to trust an expert that stands to get paid for knowing how to help you. This is another reason that family-owned shops are preferable, but a reputation for honesty is important for any business. Defer to customer testimonials and reviews for a feel for how trustworthy a shop is!
Price
It’s no secret that you get what you pay for when it comes to car repair. You should expect yearly car maintenance to run about $1000 per year. While it may be tempting to find the absolute cheapest shop in the city, you’re really risking a lot in the name of saving a few dollars. That said, there’s no reason you can’t find quality repair for a reasonable price! There’s a balancing act that needs to be considered here, but that balancing act doesn’t need to drain your bank account. Again, this is where family-owned shops tend to be better choices. Family-owned businesses tend to be competitively priced against larger national chains without sacrificing quality of service.