How to Select a Mechanic

It's hard to select a mechanic, especially when you know little or nothing about car engines. Many people fear they will be ripped off and overcharged for services they don't even need. Relying on recommendations from friends, using Internet resources and using different mechanics who possess specialized skills for different types of repairs are just a few of the things you can do to ensure you're providing your car with the best possible service.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Get a referral from a friend. While mechanics spend a lot of money advertising their services, word of mouth is still the best kind of advertisement. Get friends' recommendations first, and ask how satisfied they were with the service, how well the mechanics communicated and how much the repairs cost.

2. Visit an online reference tool such as the Car Talk website or I Know Auto (see Resources below). Such sites can provide a listing of several trustworthy mechanics.

3. Get price estimates on the repairs that need to be made. Remember that price is only one thing to consider. Just because a mechanic offers you the lowest price, doesn't mean he will offer the best service.

4. Contact the mechanic to get references. A good mechanic will be able to provide the names and contact information of two or three customers and businesses he has worked for. Contact the references and ask about their experiences with the mechanic, including whether or not the mechanic has needed to redo any work, how often the vehicle has needed repairs since the auto mechanic has worked on it and whether or not the mechanic uses new or refurbished parts.

5. Find out which mechanic is the closest. While distance, like price, should not be the main basis for selecting a mechanic, there are times when selecting the closest mechanic is the best decision possible. Towing a car to a mechanic that is five miles closer than another mechanic could save you money, and selecting a nearby garage to drive to when your car has a broken radiator will prevent it from overheating and needing even more repairs.

6. Find out if the mechanic specializes in select types of cars. Some mechanics specialize in imports, while others strictly concern themselves with repairing American-made cars. Some cars, such as Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari, should only have work done on them by a select mechanic who is licensed to work on such a vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• Use different mechanics for different repairs. Find out who the best mechanic is for maintenance issues and who is best for more serious repairs. Some mechanics specialize in certain areas, such as oil changes or transmissions, so pick the one that is best suited for the specific job.

Resources

• Car Talk website to search for a mechanic
• I Know Auto website for mechanics directory