Car Repair: Questions To Ask

Before continuing with a car repair, you need to make sure you have given your car to someone who will do the job honestly for a price that fits inside your budgetary constraints. These questions will help you find the right service professional to meet your needs.

First, ask the mechanic or garage about any awards or affiliations the shop or its mechanics have received. Automotive Service Excellence certification or affiliation with the Automotive Service Association are good options. You may want to ask about the credentials of the mechanics. Someone who has been to auto/diesel school will have more training about vehicles than someone who learned in his garage growing up.

Next, ask if the garage charges for estimates and diagnostics for auto repair. The answer to this will vary, but will help you determine whether or not you can afford the mechanic. Often the mechanic will not charge to visually inspect the vehicle, but will charge if he has to use a machine to do a more in-depth diagnostic.

Inquire as to whether or not the mechanic or garage specializes in a certain type of car repair. You may find a garage specializes in brakes, transmissions, a/c, or diesel repairs. Some shops will specialize in a particular type of vehicle. While these shops will work on other systems or vehicles, you may not get the most efficient job done if your needs do not fall within their specialization. Make sure your vehicle falls within the expertise of the shop you choose.

If you do not have another vehicle you can use while yours is in the shop, you may want to ask about courtesy cars. Larger garages and chain stores may offer courtesy cars you can drive while they fix yours. Find out if there is a charge for this, or if it is included in the cost of the repairs.

Sometimes you can save money by using used parts rather than new ones. Some garages will have contracts or partnerships with junkyards where they can get used parts. Ask whether or not this option exists. Not all garages have it, but if your budget is tight you might want to look for one that does. Keep in mind that you may not be able to find a used part for your particular vehicle, even if the garage offers this option, because you will be limited to the stock on hand in the junkyard.

Finally, when you think you have found a source for car repair that you can trust, ask them about guarantees and payment options. No matter how honest a mechanic is, the cost to fix your vehicle may be high. It’s simply the nature of the industry, so you may want a company who offers payment plans or takes credit cards. You also want a company who is willing to stand behind the work of their technicians, offering workmanship warranties if something should go wrong with vehicle after you get it back. If you have found someone who is willing to stand behind their work, then you have found a good source for car repair.