How to Check a Mechanic Out Using the Better Business Bureau

Of all the references used to check out a mechanic's reputation, one of the best is checking out the Better Business Bureau. The Bureau has acted for nearly a century as a watchdog for businesses, and is easily accessible to the public. Their business database is one of the better monitoring systems available, and its business reliability reports provides a clear picture of how honest a mechanic is.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Log onto the Better Business Bureau's website and click on the United States website or the Canadian website. Once on the proper page, click on the "Check Out a Business or Charity" link (see Resources below).
2. In the Search box, type in the name of the auto mechanic's company, as well as the state in which she is located for a more specific search result. In urban areas, be aware that simply putting in the company name and the state will still turn up multiple entries, especially if the mechanic in question is part of a franchise.
3. Search through the results the Better Business Bureau's website returns and click on the business you are looking for. The website lists the address of each business, so finding the right one shouldn't be a problem.
4. Check out the Better Business Bureau rating. A good mechanic should earn a "Satisfactory" rating if the company is accredited with the Bureau. If the company is not a member, scroll down to the "Customer Experience" section, which will indicate whether or not the mechanic has a clean record with the Better Business Bureau.
5. Check out how many complaints have been registered with the company in the Better Business Bureau's reporting period. While the best number of complaints for a business to have is 0, consider that the Bureau records its complaints for 3 years, and the website also keeps track of the number of complaints the mechanic has taken care of in that time.
6. Look at the business information the Better Business Bureau website provides. Useful sections to check out are when the business began, the principal owner of the business, and the customer service contact.

Tips & Warnings

• While the Better Business Bureau can provide a good overall picture of the mechanic's reliability, only personal references will be able to provide specifics about the mechanic, such as how personable he is, how well he communicates and whether he prefers to use new or refurbished parts to repair a car.