Never underestimate the value of knowing a car repair shop you can trust. The next time you have engine trouble, you’ll be a lot less stressed because you’ll know exactly where to go.
Online reviews offer a great starting point. People love getting quality car repair for a fair price, so you should hope to find a shop with enthusiastic 5-star reviews from the recent past.
Still unsure where to go? People who have driven around the block a time or two will tell you to spot a trustworthy car repair shop based on these factors.
The Place Is Busy… But Not Overwhelmed
When you pull up to a car repair center, the mechanics should be actively working or helping customers. If the place looks like a ghost town, perhaps word has gotten around town that they upcharge people or do substandard work. It’s like going to a restaurant and seeing nothing but empty tables at dinner time—something must be wrong.
You might not want to leave your car somewhere that already looks backed up with other vehicles, though. Choose a shop that keeps things moving, and expect a confident estimate of the turnaround time.
Don’t Forget Mom-and-Pop Shops
Advertising inundates us with logos, slogans, and loud commercials everywhere we look. Sometimes a national brand is comforting because you know what you’re going to get, but sometimes we go to big chains just for familiarity. With car repair, it doesn’t have to be that way.
A small, local auto shop can provide better service and honest pricing. Quite frankly, we have to. When you don’t have your name plastered all over televisions, you have to compete by providing better car repair!
Ask for Explanations
Ever ask a mechanic a question and get an eye-roll in response? You might feel powerless in the moment. You don’t know how to fix your car, but you need to drive to work on Monday. Remember that you are the customer. You’re free to take your money elsewhere.
Now, car repair mechanics do sometimes forget that the general public doesn’t have the same vocabulary and knowledge of automobiles. Ask for definitions and explanations if we’re using too much jargon. A friendly mechanic that can describe problems and repair recommendations is a mechanic you can trust.
Look for Certifications, But Don’t Stop There
Auto mechanics can be certified by a few different entities. Seeing an ASE certification is definitely a huge plus. Of course, lots of people have diplomas that don’t necessarily mean much. Ask how often they work on your make of vehicle and how often they do the type of car repair you need.
Now it’s time to jump on the phone or drive to your local auto shop and get a feel for the staff and mechanics. In Windsor, CA, you can find certified pros who take care of your vehicle like it was their own at All Around Auto Repair.
Contact us to describe the car problems you’re experiencing or let us know how we can help!
Thanks for pointing out the secrets to finding a trustworthy car repair shop. My car was damaged in an accident and I am looking for a good auto repair service that can help fix it. I’ll have to talk to some of my local auto repair shops and get their opinions on the damage.
I like that you said that a friendly mechanic that can describe problems and repair recommendations is a mechanic you can trust. I am looking for an auto repair shop that can help fix my car after a fender bender that I was just in. I think since I don’t know a lot about cars a mechanic that would explain to me what they needed to do and how they were going to do it would be really helpful. Thanks for the tips on choosing a car repair shop.
Thank you for the comment about being sure that you are asking clarifying questions if you don’t understand some of the mechanic jargon. My sister has been needing to take a car in for general repairs, but she is worried about finding a good mechanic shop. I bet if she used these tips then she would be able to find the best professional for her.
You make a good point when you mention the importance of asking for clarifications if your mechanic is using terms that you do not understand. My brother recently got into a car accident on his way home from work last night, and he needs to make sure that his cracked windows are safe to use. Maybe he should speak with a car repair service that can help him understand the severity of his car’s damages.
I appreciate the tip that you gave to choose a mechanic who has great online reviews. My car needs to have some of the parts tuned up, and it is going to be important for us to know that we could trust in who we will choose to hire to do the job. Before I decide to hire anyone, I am going to check their reviews.
Thank you for telling me that I should use online reviews as a starting point if I were to look for a good auto shop. There is a small crack at the upper right corner of my windshield and since my daughter often sits at the passenger seat, I want to have it fixed before causing some errors. It might be e good idea to check online reviews for auto glass repair services as you have advised.
Dale, I like that you said that in looking for a car repair mechanic, I should choose one who’s ready to explain the repairs and jargon to me so I understand what repairs my car needs. My husband’s car has been having engine trouble lately, so he needs to take it to a trustworthy and licensed mechanic who can fix it before it gets worse. I’ll share your advice with my husband later so he can find a mechanic he can trust. Thanks!
I’m thankful that you brought up the importance of determining if a car repair shop is reputable by checking to see if they have a modest amount of customers. My wife and I are thinking about going on vacation next week for our anniversary, but we need to find a way to quickly fix our engine since it tends to overheat when we drive it for more than an hour at a time. Maybe we should find a professional that will help us repair our car quickly.