Your vehicle is a big investment that will eventually develop a problem or two as it gets older. In some cases, you can fix these issues yourself. However, there are times when you won’t have the time, skills, or experience to do DIY car repair jobs. In those cases, it’s best to bring your ride to a repair shop.
Searching for a mechanic who you can trust with your car takes a little detective work. It involves checking or asking multiple sources and comparing their information. There are many ways to determine if the repair shop is reliable or not. Not all of them apply to every case, and sometimes you will need to apply different approaches.
To help you out, here are some tips on how to find an honest mechanic:
You’re not the only driver who has gone looking for an auto repair shop and a mechanic that you can rely on. Ask your family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and other people you trust if they can recommend an honest mechanic.
Do you know someone who owns a vehicle that is similar or identical to your own? Ask them who they usually turn to when their car breaks down.
There are several organizations that can direct you to the nearest honest mechanic. For example, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of North American motor clubs that provide various automotive-related services to its members.
The AAA works with various auto repair shops that meet its standards. These partner shops follow the federation’s requirement that every repair job must be performed by certified mechanics. If a shop is good enough for the AAA, you can be sure its mechanic will treat your car right.
You can also check if the auto repair shop and its mechanics have certificates from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE gives voluntary testing and certification for technicians. A mechanic who has an ASE certification possesses technical knowledge and expertise that you can rely on.
Remember the AAA requiring certified mechanics to work on its members’ vehicles? That certification comes from the ASE. That shows the ASE is highly respected by many drivers across North America.
In addition to AAA certification, you should see if the mechanic has a good rating from the Automotive Service Association (ASA). ASA serves independent automotive professionals who work in the mechanical and collision repair industries.
These industries require mechanics to always give accurate estimates and provide good service to their customers. An auto repair shop with a good score from ASA is usually an honest business.
You’re not the only one keeping a lookout for honest mechanics. Consult with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on the reliability of auto repair shops in your area.
The BBB is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes trust in the marketplace. It seeks to protect consumers from getting cheated and assists industries in regulating themselves.
The BBB makes a list of recurring issues and their culprits. Dishonest auto repair shops are the 12th most reported problem. If a shop you were eyeing made it to that list, it’s best to cancel any repair or maintenance jobs you had scheduled there.
One way to evaluate a repair shop and its mechanics is to bring your vehicle in for a minor fix or regular maintenance. You don’t need an actual small problem as an excuse to test their skills and credibility. You can ask the mechanic to change the engine oil, oil filter, or another part that is easy to maintain.
This approach does put your vehicle at some risk. However, seeing firsthand how they handle a small repair or maintenance job can give you an idea of their ability to handle a big issue.
Believe it or not, a Facebook page or a website can give you an idea if that auto repair shop is worth going to. It takes considerable effort to set up and run a website. Thus, if a shop goes to the trouble of putting up a good site, its mechanics are likely to put the same or better effort into fixing vehicles.
A website is also one of the easiest and best means for a business to contact its customers. So most auto repair shops that want to get and stay in touch with their customer base will put effort into communicating online.
CarParts.com’s expert installation service helps you find pre-vetted shops near you. Our wide coverage ensures that you can find the parts you need for your specific application. Choose the best schedule that works for you and a trustworthy repair shop near you. All you need to do is to bring your vehicle and parts to your appointment, and an expert will install them for you at pre-negotiated rates.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.