Questions To Ask Your Car Repair Technician

The car repair technician who fixes your automobile will play an important part in whether or not your vehicle will run. Fixing a vehicle is a complicated endeavor that will require experience, expertise, a set of tools and some education. Before you let anyone work on your prized sedan, truck or SUV, ask them a few questions. Here are some ideas.

- How long have you been working for this garage? If an employee has been working there for less than a year, ask about other shops they've worked in. It's crucial to have a technician with enough experience in his or her toolbox.

- How do you like working for this repair shop? Some mechanics may feel uncomfortable answering this question honestly in front of bosses and co-workers. Just watching their body language and reading between the lines should tell you lots. Before even making it this far into a repair agreement, it's necessary for motorists to check into the reputation of the garage. Check the BBB to see if complaints have been lodged against them. Ask friends, family, co-workers and neighbors for recommendations.

- Does this company adhere to the MAP Code of Ethics? MAP stands for Motorist Assurance Program. If a shop is a proponent of this particular ethical code, this is a sign of a potentially good shop. This program has been designed to form cooperative partnerships with consumers and auto repair businesses.

- Where were you trained? A mechanic should have completed some formal education either in high school, college or vocational school. A well known certification is ASE certified. This is a series of coursework, tests and certifications in a variety of automotive arenas.

- Do you participate in ongoing training programs for auto repair? Every year a new crop of automobiles hit the streets. In order to stay current on all the cutting edge advances in the automotive industry, ongoing education will be necessary. A company that trains its employees cares about quality.

- Is there any sort of warranty included with the work? A garage or mechanic should guarantee the work for a certain amount of time. Of course, parts will wear out but there should be some sort of guarantee in place.

- What's the charge per hour for labor of auto repair? Does your shop charge flat fees or are you on commission? Hourly labor rates vary greatly. Compare and shop around if the prices seem too steep. Flat fees are preferable to hourly rates or commission. The flat price will be a known rather than an approximation.

- Can I bring in my own parts? In order to save on the repair bill, many consumers are bringing in their own parts. These parts may be wholesale, rebuilt, or used. Shops often mark up the parts they stock so bringing in one's own might make financial sense.

When it's time to get car repair performed, talking to the mechanic will be a way of gaining insight. Finding out about experience, MAP, training, warranty, charges and parts will be a wise move.