How to Pick a Good Car Repair Shop If you’re having issues with your car, you have to find a good auto repair shop to help you get back on the road. But of course, you can’t always easily tell which of those in your area is the right one for you. Here are tips to make things easier: Asking for Referrals
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One of the best ways of finding a reputable car repair shop is just to ask people around you for referrals – your relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc. It’s good to ask for these referrals before an incident happens so you know whom to call as a situation comes up.
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Reviewing Certifications When you visit a car repair shop, take note of the certifications that are usually displayed in their office. The Federal Trade Commission actually recommends this. Certifications make no guarantees, but they do increase the chances that the shop’s employees are updated with their training and thus more equipped to handle your vehicle. Checking with the Better Business Bureau Before you bring your car to a particular repair shop, know their reputation by checking with the Better Business Bureau. There, you can see if they’ve had some customer issues, and if so, how these were resolved. Understanding Your Warranty With a car that is still under warranty, you’ll have to take it to the dealer for any repairs. Car warranties are varied, and sometimes, it can be confusing to know how they affect who may and may not service your vehicle. That means you may not be allowed to choose a shop that is not affiliated with your dealer. Remember that violating your warranty means you won’t be covered by the agreement anymore, so if you’re not sure, talk to your dealer. Being Observant There’s so much you can tell about a business just by looking at its office or working area. Start by taking a good look around a car repair shop’s parking lot. You should see cars that have similar value as yours, and the area should be clean. The office and waiting room must be tidy and there should be copies of their labor rates and fees on their wall. Finding a Specialist Regardless of your car’s make and model, do find a repair shop that is a specialist. As you might expect, specialist shops are most updated in training and equipment, something that is specifically important for major repairs. Asking for References Finally, the National Institute for Automotive Service recommends asking for references before using a new repair shop for the first time. This help you paint a picture of what an experience with a certain shop might be like.
