How to Save on Auto Repair Costs

Today's vehicles are far more complicated than the cars of a generation ago. Taking it to a professional mechanic when something goes wrong and choosing a bad one can cost you a fortune. While the majority of auto mechanics are honest people, there are more than a few that have been known to take advantage of consumers. Using the wrong mechanic can not only cost you money, but it can actually endanger your life if the work was not done properly or even done at all.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet
• Better Business Bureau
• Friends and family
• Automobile

1. Ask your family or friends for recommendations. People often take their cars to the same shop for years, so a recommendation from a longtime customer would be helpful.
2. Check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if the shop in question has a history of consumer complaints.
3. Check to see if the mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. These certifications indicate technicians who have passed comprehensive exams and are probably sufficiently competent to handle the job. These garages generally charge $40 to $50 per hour.
4. Check out the shop in person. Look around. If the shop is run by professionals, it should look as though it is run by professionals.
5. Get a written estimate. Most reputable shops will do so. If they don't, you could find yourself with a rapidly escalating repair bill.
6. Visit a few of the garages and talk with the owner. Ask about the hourly rate charged for vehicle repairs. Inquire if the rate charged for the repairs is a "straight hourly rate" or a "book rate." A straight hourly rate involves the amount of time that it actually takes a mechanic to do a vehicle repair. On the other hand, a book rate involves the customer being charged an amount of time the book specifies a repair should take.
7. Get a quote on both the parts and labor prior to having their vehicles repaired. You can check on the cost of parts at retail parts stores such as Auto Zone or Advanced Auto.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your automobile well maintained. If you don't you will incur high repair costs.
• If the garage owner seems to squirm when you ask about the billing method used for vehicle repairs, visit other garages.
• Taking the time to ask some questions and establish a good relationship with an independent garage can help to lower repair costs.
• Never pick a garage from the Yellow Pages.
• Most garages will not allow you to purchase your own parts for repair.
• Don't wait until your vehicle needs repair to find a good mechanic.