By: Consumer Reports
By: Consumer Reports
Before doing any maintenance or repair work on your vehicle, you have to find a trusted mechanic.
How can you know which workshops are credible and reliable? Trusting an advertisement is neither a useful nor a good indicator, and neither is paying a visit to a workshop. “Many national shops and chains have large, beautiful facilities,” says Jill Trotta, vice president of RepairPal, a website that calculates auto repair costs. (RepairPal is a partner at Consumer Reports). “But that’s where the investment stops. Ask and look around you. Typically, the shop that is not clean or does not have a beautiful waiting room could be investing in training, tools and personnel. ”
These are some basic concepts to identify a good shop, according to John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center.
Ask for recommendations
Good quality mechanics have a good reputation in their community. Ask people. This becomes especially relevant if you ask someone who has a car similar to yours.
Search for reviews online
You can find information on local mechanics through AAA, Angi (formerly called Angie’s List), RepairPal and Yelp. Consider asking people from Facebook groups in your area for recommendations.
Find specialized workshops
Workshops that focus on the make of your vehicle are more likely to have the training and the latest equipment.
Verify the certification
A quality mechanic and workshop must be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, technicians must pass one or more of the 52 ASE tests. To maintain ASE certification, the technician must retest every 5 years.
Check with the Better Business Bureau
Auto repair shops are ranked number 16 on the Better Business Bureau’s list of companies receiving complaints. Visit their website to inquire about the repair shops you have in mind.
Test a workshop
You may want to try some of the local shops for smaller repairs or maintenance work, such as oil or filter changes. Be aware of how mechanics treat your car and communicate with you.
Ask about warranties
Check if the workshop backs its work with some kind of guarantee. To compare shops, ask about their warranty for a common repair, like a brake job.
The Federal Trade Commission offers helpful information on car warranties and service contracts .
Repair estimates can be confusing. However, there are ways to ensure that you are not overcharged for repairs beyond basic maintenance, such as oil changes. Start by consulting the CR Auto Repair Assistant to find out approximately how much a specific repair should cost in your area. Compare it to a written estimate from the mechanic. Request a quote that has the itemized cost of parts and labor.
Don’t be afraid to ask why a repair costs so much. There may be a good reason, Ibbotson cautions. Keep in mind that a cheaper solution may not always be the best. A good workshop may use parts or replacement parts covered by more extensive warranties or have unique qualified technicians.
If the warranty is not voided by going to a location other than the dealer, you may get a better price from an independent mechanic. However, you must remember that dealers sometimes have special tools that are not available from independent workshops. The best control is a trusted mechanic who isn’t afraid to answer questions or explain the work he’s doing, adds Ibbotson.
Editor’s Note: This article was also part of the February issue of 2019 from Consumer Reports magazine.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to keeping your car in good working order. In the television program “ Taller del Consumidor ”, the presenter Jack Rico learns from Consumer Reports expert Jon Linkov the truths behind some of the biggest maintenance myths.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © , Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a just, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2021, Consumer Reports, Inc.