Whether you’ve just moved to a new area or have just purchased a new car, knowing how to find a trustworthy auto mechanic is important for keeping both your vehicle and your wallet in good shape. Auto mechanics have a notorious reputation for shady dealings, especially when it comes to overcharging you for sub-standard repair work. Since most people don’t have a clue what their repairs should really cost, having a mechanic you can trust is the only way to be sure that you are not being taken advantage of. It can be hard to know who to trust, but here are some things to keep in mind and watch out for on your search.
There are basically three different types of mechanic auto shops out there: dealerships, large national chain shops, and smaller independent repair shops. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, dealership mechanics tend to be extremely expensive, but will be specialized to work on your specific make/model. High end cars and work that will be covered by your car’s warranty should probably be brought to the dealership in order to get the best quality service. National chain shops, on the other hand, tend to offer the best prices and the lowest quality service. These kinds of places are often staffed by entry-level mechanics with little experience. Chain shops are a good choice for basic repairs like an oil change or new battery, which do not require much expertise.
The third category, smaller independent mechanics, will usually be your best choice for general repairs. Independent mechanics tend to have prices somewhere in between chain shops and dealerships, but there is a lot of variability. Because of the wide variation in price, skills, and services, looking at independent mechanics is when you need to put the extra effort in to making sure that the company you go with is trustworthy. Fortunately there are some signs to look for as indications of the mechanic’s quality including: whether or not the repair shop is certified by an affiliated trade group like the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the Automotive Service Association (ASA), complaints about the company registered with the Better Business Bureau, and any warranty they offer on their work – the longer the better. If you don’t feel like putting in all the effort researching the mechanics available in your area you can also try using TalkLocal to automatically connect you. TalkLocal uses an algorithm that takes into consideration ratings, reviews, and past performance when matching you with a service professional, so you can sit back and let them do the work for you.
