If you own a car, you understand the anxiety that can come with taking it in to be serviced. Finding a shop that you feel confident about, both in terms of the quality of the service and the honesty of its practices, can be difficult. One of the most important things to do is check the references of any shop you are considering before entrusting them with your valuable investment. Honda owners can check out Omega Auto Care, but no matter what kind of car you own, there are basic questions that you should ask yourself as you are searching for a great autoshop.
Does the shop have reputable affiliations?
Look for a sign indicating that the shop you are considering is AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) affiliated. These shops are monitored for the quality of their service, and must use only certified mechanics.
Does the shop specialize in your make of car?
If at all possible, try to find a shop that specializes in your make of car. Not only is this experience likely to save you money because the team will be more familiar with the issues and procedures specific to your vehicle, but it means they will have any specialized equipment or warranty information, and are more likely to have parts in stock.
Compare Prices
Once you have a list of potential shops or mechanics, do a bit of comparative shopping if you have a particular repair or maintenance issue. You might be surprised to see how much variation in price you will find once you start looking.
Do they guarantee their work?
Try to work with a shop or mechanic that guarantees parts and labor – ideally, a shop will offer some form of warranty which will allow you to return at no charge if the work was not done correctly or if the part turned to be a dud.
Do they seem busy?
It is definitely an old-fashioned approach, but a great way to get a sense of a shop is by doing a drive-by to see how much business they have – do they have lots of cars waiting to be service or does the business seem to be struggling? It is not scientific, but generally the busier the business the better the reputation.
Does it seem professionally run?
If you do decide to take your car to a particular shop, take a look around and ask yourself if the shop seems to be run professionally whether what you see inspires confidence or concern. It is clean and well-organized? Do the mechanics seem to be working efficiently with current technology? Is the reception area welcoming? Do customers who come and go seem to be satisfied or unhappy? These sorts of signals can help you make a final evaluation of the shop before you commit.
A car is a big investment, and the last thing you want to do is entrust it to just any mechanic. Make sure you take the time to properly research the mechanics in your area to make sure that your investment is in the right hands!