How to Find a Good Mechanic

When your car's not running right, it can be a stressful situation. Nobody likes to have to depend on a car that they can't trust when it's making funny noises or acting suspicious. But for most people it's a fact of life that there is only one car in the family garage and it needs to be kept in sharp running order so it doesn't leave you stranded. If you're not sure what's going on with your car, one of the first steps that you can take on your own before you consult a mechanic is to do a little online research and attempt to diagnose the possible root causes of your car's behavior.

Keep in mind that your own non mechanical diagnosis is just a ballpark idea on a variety of things that could be wrong. The only purpose of doing this is to help you make sure that when you do get a mechanic to actually look at your car, you'll have some clue about what they're talking about and what they should be talking about.
You don't have to become an online mechanic to have at least a working knowledge about your car and the potential problems that could be diagnosed by a mechanic. You want to be a savvy consumer when you have a mechanic look at it.

When you do get an auto repair quote, you want to get at least two quotes from different reputable mechanics to make sure that your car is being diagnosed with the same problem by both mechanics and that the price is in the same ballpark. Some consumers fall into the trap of believing that just because a shop is small or new, their prices will be more competitive than a larger auto repair shop will be.

You should never assume that any mechanic, regardless of the size of the business, is going to give you a better deal than the next guy, that's why it's important to get multiple quotes. And make sure you get a written quote when you do get your car diagnosed and talk price with your mechanic. A quote should state what the mechanic intends to do and what parts the mechanic intends to replace or need, with the prices for all of these items itemized.

Avoid any mechanic that is vague or won't give you a written quote on your auto repair. Once your mechanic makes the diagnosis, they should be able to give you a written quote for the repair. And if there's any type of warranty on parts or labor, make sure you get that in writing with your auto repair quote in case you ever need it.
Once you find a good mechanic that is reputable, professional, and reasonably priced you won't have to keep searching for a mechanic every time you need a repair done and you will have what every consumer needs - a go to guy when the going gets tough and your car won't start.