How to Find a Good Auto Mechanic
A good auto mechanic can save you money when your car breaks down. A mechanic can even save you money when your car doesn't break down by knowing when you can hold off on worthwhile, though non-mandatory repairs and by not overselling products or suggesting unneeded fixes. While the profession has earned a reputation for dishonesty and overbilling with some, enough honest mechanics are out there. Finding one may take a bit of work, but the search will reward you in your wallet and with peace of mind.
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Instructions
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Begin your search for a mechanic before you need a repair. When your car breaks down, you'll feel under duress to have it fixed quickly so that you can resume driving to work and elsewhere. Also, starting to look for a mechanic in advance will give you time to research prices and opinions from multiple sources.
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Make a list of local mechanics that operate an independent repair facilities. In his article for the "20 Something Finance" website, G.E. Miller suggests that unlike chain shops, these mechanics live or die by their local reputations for quality and honest service. Miller also indicates that these small shops provide a level of personal care sometimes unavailable at dealerships and nationwide chains.
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Ask friends, co-workers, relatives and trusted local professionals which mechanics on your list they use when needing a repair. Cross-reference your list with local "Best of" lists hosted by local newspapers or community websites such as "Yelp." Call local business and community organizations to see which mechanics these groups recommend.
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Narrow down your potential list of mechanics to those that have earned memberships in consumer and automotive organizations such as "NAPA Autocare," "ASP," "Parts Plus," "AAA," or "TechNet." According to automotive writer Tom Torbjornsen, many of these organizations conduct rigorous background checks before admitting a prospective mechanic to membership. Torbjornsen reports that AAA calls a prospective member's past 100 customers with a survey that rates the mechanic on honesty, competence and even the cleanliness of the repair shop.
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Drop into the mechanic's shop unannounced. While there, interview any customers to determine why they use this mechanic rather than another. Torbjornsen says to look for responses that indicate a consistently high level of honesty and good service, such as "this mechanic always gets the job done right the first time."
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Pay attention to the condition of the repair facility. Look for indications of cleanliness such as a clean front waiting area and well-ordered shop. Watch how the staff interact with other customers to see if the workers and manager provide helpful, friendly advice.
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Ask the mechanic to see qualifications or certifications from community or technical colleges, automotive organizations such as ASE, Delco, NAPA and Moog, and manufacturers such as Honda and Ford. Good mechanics stay abreast of changes in technology and invest in their own educations and businesses by earning additional certifications. Ask about membership in organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), as these groups require the mechanic to uphold a code of ethics in business practices.
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Ask the mechanic if his shop has the equipment needed to fix your car's problem.
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Tips & Warnings
Torbjornsen suggests taking your car to a specialist when it needs repairs to the transmission, computer system, or air conditioning system, if you drive an unusual or foreign brand, or if you need body work after a collision. These shops cost more, but they specialize in particular types of repairs and have the equipment and knowledge to handle them competently.
References
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