When taking your car to get fixed, one of the biggest fears is someone overcharging for the repairs. Another worry is hearing something needs work when it doesn’t just because the shop wants to make a few extra dollars. These cases will ultimately lead to you wasting money and being untrusting of who you let look under the hood. So to avoid this situation, before having any repairs done, it is best to start by looking for a mechanic you can trust!
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Online Reviews
Online reviews are the first place to look when searching for a mechanic. There are plenty of mechanics who have websites these days, and most of them list their customer reviews on there. However, not every shop has online reviews yet, but many local shops will still have an online presence. If you are having trouble finding any information about a specific mechanic online, see if they have a Facebook page and check out what previous customers say about them there. Online reviews will give you some insight into how their work is at their shop and whether or not you should trust them with your car.
The Better Business Bureau
If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, don’t be afraid to check on them with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB takes on consumer complaints and how those issues were resolved and will give you a complete report on that shop based on those findings. You can check past or current reviews and see whether or not there are any valid consumer complaints against the store. If there are, make sure to thoroughly read through them and see if the issues were resolved or not before you take your car in for repairs.
Ask Your Friends And Family
If you already know someone who has recently repaired their car, it is always good to ask them where they took their car. It may be easier to trust a mechanic that your friend or family member already used than the one you have never heard of before. If no one comes to mind, try asking around at work or school. You would be surprised how many people you know may have had their car repaired in the past year. It is always good to ask around for recommendations because you will soon find yourself with a list of mechanics you can trust!
Check If They Offer Warranties
If you are having repairs on your brakes, suspension, or some other vital part of your car, it is always good to check on any warranties they might offer. A warranty would protect you if the mechanic did not do the job right and prevent them from acting like it never happened when there is another issue with your car down the road. If a mechanic offers a warranty on the work they have done, you can feel more comfortable knowing that they will take care of any future repairs for free as long as the issue was not due to your negligence.
Check For Certifications
A mechanic can have many different certifications, but they are not all created equally. Some mechanics will try to sell you because they are ASE Certified and charge more for their services because of it. However, some ASE certifications do not mean anything. If anyone tries selling you on any certificate or test they have taken, do your research to determine if they have a certification that means something in the industry. The last thing you want is to pay more for fewer services!
Check For License And Insurance
It may be difficult to believe, but some mechanics work from their homes without any license or insurance whatsoever. Never use a mechanic who is not insured or licensed! You may be able to trust them at first, but what will happen if their work causes more damage that they cannot repair? If your car does need any repairs and you find yourself in that situation, there are many shops just waiting for your business. A license and insurance lets you know that the person working on your car has the qualifications to do it. It also means that you will not be liable for any accidents while under their care.
Ask For References
The previous tips are vital when finding a mechanic, but they are worth nothing if you cannot trust them with your car! When dealing with mechanics, people are automatically wary of being taken advantage of. That is why before hiring a mechanic, you should ask for references and take some time out of your day to talk with them. Nothing tells you more about how trustworthy someone is than talking to people who have had work done on their cars in the past. Every business has unsatisfied customers, but if you have names and numbers of people who have worked with them before, you can usually tell if they are worth it or not.
Conclusion
When you need to find a mechanic that you can trust, the information in this article should be of great help. If you need more specific information on any of these topics, there are many different resources out there where you can learn more and ask questions. Finding someone who will work on your car and not take advantage of you is easier than many people think. Use the tips in this article to find someone you can trust and then enjoy having your car worked on without having to worry about it!
