Where Should You Go for Transmission Repair?

Transmission repair is nothing you want to take on yourself if you have little or no experience with mechanical work. Even amateur mechanics tend to shy away from this arena, simply because it can be costly and complicated and is better suited to a professional. Of course, it can be expensive regardless of whether you do it yourself or take it to a good mechanic. If you're going to be spending a lot of money to fix your vehicle, you want to make sure you get what you pay for. Avoiding rip-offs and scams is only part of the puzzle. You also have to avoid simple incompetence, which may be a bigger issue. Here are some factors you can use to decide where your car should go.

The Dealership

It has long been a rule of thumb that to take your car into the dealership for transmission repair or any other kind of maintenance work is a fool's game. This may still have some resonance for some customers, but there are situations where it makes the most sense. If you have a car under warranty, for instance, you'll certainly want the dealership to look at it first. It makes no sense to pay for a job that should be free. And you should, of course, use your own judgment in other situations. If you trust the mechanics at your dealership, don't let "popular wisdom" keep you from using their services.

Cost

It would be nice to say that cost shouldn't be a factor when deciding where to take your car for transmission repair, but it can't be done. Cost is always going to be one of the most important factors. But while there's nothing wrong with going around town and getting some quotes, you should be cautious about choosing a place based on a lowball price. If three mechanics tell you they can fix your car for $500 and one place tells you they can do the job for $250, you have to wonder what shortcuts they are taking to arrive at that price.

Local Reputation

This is especially important if you're thinking of taking your car to one of the major transmission repair chains. You can't judge your local franchise by national reputation. While the food at your local McDonald's probably isn't going to differ much from any other McDonald's you've been to, the same can't necessarily be said for a mechanic. A shop is only as good as its technicians. Make sure a company that has a good national reputation also has one among the people in your community.