Questions To Ask at an Auto Repair Shop :
Ask these questions next time you’re looking for an auto repair shop to help parse the good from the bad.
When your car needs to be fixed, you need to find a repair shop you can trust to provide timely repairs and accurate estimates.
Car owners often find this task to be overwhelming because of the sheer number of choices they have. This search takes a little bit of work.
When you can bring in your car with confidence that it will be fixed correctly and for a fair price, you will be glad you took the time to ask these questions.
When choosing an auto repair shop, it pays to be meticulous in selecting the best available professional. So lets get started!
1. Are you a member of any associations?
Auto repair shops can be members of various manufacturer, parts or service associations, such as NAPA Auto care, AAA, TechNet, and Parts Plus to name a few.
In order to become a member of these organizations, the shop must meet certain criteria and possess certain qualifications, and some of the associations even contact current customers to see if the shop is doing quality work.
2. Are your technicians certified?
Look for a shop that has certified technicians. Delco, Bosh and ASE all offer certification, as do the major automotive manufacturers. If possible, find a shop that hires technicians with certifications to work on your particular type of vehicle or with your particular type of problem.
Mechanics can also be certified beyond these points. Continuing education from a local college or after-market training from automotive industry leaders show that the repair professionals are dedicated to their craft and are willing to invest a little money and effort into ensuring that they can repair the latest makes and models of vehicles.
3. Do you have customer references I can talk to?
Ask the shop for references. Call those references and ask questions about the shop, how long have they been customers, how did they hear about the shop, do they think the cost and timeliness of the repairs fair.
Ask about how clearly the shop communicated with them, did they keep them apprised of progress? did they stay within the estimated cost quoted for the repairs? How do they handle problems and warranty issues?
4. What kind of equipment does your shop use?
Today’s cars are quite complex pieces of machinery, so you need a shop that has the right equipment. Computerized diagnostics are vital to accurate diagnosis of automotive problems, online computer programs help technicians further pinpoint problems without spending hours on the clock pulling the engine apart just to diagnose the problem.
Staying technologically current takes a sizable investment. Having the most up to date tools and equipment is essential to properly repair today’s modern vehicles.
5. Is your shop local?
While the dealership or big-name shop may be your first consideration when looking for a repair shop, do not neglect to look at the locally owned, independent auto repair shops.
Often, those repair shops that are not tied to a big-name brand have better prices, yet still maintain the certifications and training necessary to provide excellent repairs. Independent shops typically have higher satisfaction ratings than their counter parts.
6. What is your shop’s hourly rate?
Automotive repair shops usually charge a set hourly labor rate. If two shops have similar qualifications and great references, but one charges $20 more per hour than the other, you may want to choose the more affordable option.
Keep in mind that those who charge significantly less than others may offer poorer service, so check the rate only after checking all other aspects of the shop.
If you can find a repair shop with excellent references, the right qualifications and a reasonable hourly rate, you have likely found the right one for your needs.
The key to getting quality auto repair is to find a shop with ASE certified technicians, long warranties on all their work, and ideally part of an association.
Look at the online review sites like Yelp, Consumer Reports, Sure Critic, Google and see what others have said about the shop.
Ask these questions next time you’re looking for an auto repair shop to insure that you have made the best and most informed decision possible.
For more tips like these, read our car repair blog.
