how to find a good auto repair shop

^{There's no single clue to what makes a good repair shop, but here are some things you should look for:}

• Find a shop for your brand of car Many garages specialize in certain makes. ...
• Ask your family and friends Especially seek recommendations from those who have a vehicle similar to yours.
• Search the Internet Look for information about local mechanics on Angie's List, the Consumer Reports car repair estimator, and the Mechanics Files at Cartalk.com. ...
• Check for certification Your mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE.
Check the Better Business Bureau Auto repair shops rank 12th on the bureau's list of common complaints. ...
Give the shop a tryout Before your car needs a big repair, you might want to try out some local shops with smaller repairs or maintenance items, such as oil ...
Ask about warranties What kind of guarantees does the shop give on repair work? Warranties can vary greatly among shops, so ask about them ahead of time. ...

Full Answer

How to find the best auto repair shop near me?

Online consumer sites and social networks can be good sources of auto repair shop feedback as well. Once you narrow your list to a preferred car care facility, pay it a visit for a minor job like an oil change or tire rotation. While waiting, talk with shop employees and inspect the shop keeping in mind these criteria:

How do I know if my car repair shop is AAA approved?

Warranty – Quality shops offer at least a 12-month/12,000-mile parts and labor warranty on their work. Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign – Shop that display this logo have met high quality standards. Like most motorists today, you may be keeping your car longer.

What makes a good car repair shop?

There's no single clue to what makes a good repair shop, but here are some things you should look for: Many garages specialize in certain makes. Those that focus on your type are more likely to have the latest training and equipment to fix your vehicle. Especially seek recommendations from those who have a vehicle similar to yours.

What are the qualifications of a good auto repair shop?

Your mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE. Auto repair shops rank 12th on the bureau's list of common complaints.

How do you know if an auto shop is good?

8 Signs You've Found the Right Auto ShopThe shop has the right certifications. ... The shop has a good reputation. ... The shop has a clean rap sheet. ... The shop shows pride in its appearance. ... The shop's technicians communicate well. ... The shop has a clear warranty policy. ... The shop looks out for you. ... The shop fits into your life.

How do you trust a mechanic?

0:381:35How to Find a Mechanic You Can Trust - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBuild a relationship with the technician. So they get to know your vehicle. And your personal needsMoreBuild a relationship with the technician. So they get to know your vehicle. And your personal needs car trouble can be stressful. So do your homework.

How do I know if my mechanic is honest?

Honest mechanics will communicate clearly with you in words you can understand before, during and after the repair. Compare any scheduled repair with your owner's manual. Honest mechanics will give you written estimates including parts, labor, and other supplies.

Can you negotiate car repair costs?

Most people simply don't realize they can negotiate auto repair work. And while some itemized charges may stand firm (like some parts prices), others have significant wiggle-room (shop mark-ups are often as much as 200% to cover operations).

What should I look for when finding a mechanic?

How to find a great car mechanicFind a shop for your brand of car. Many garages specialize in certain makes. ... Ask your family and friends. ... Search the Internet. ... Check for certification. ... Check the Better Business Bureau. ... Give the shop a tryout. ... Ask about warranties. ... Make sure the shop is convenient.

Do mechanics upsell?

If you've been to an auto repair shop in the past year, there's a good chance you paid more than you should've for service… That's because many repair shops operate on an incentivized pay structure. In other words, mechanics get paid more to upsell you on services (which you may… or may not actually need).

How do you tell if a mechanic is ripping you off?

8 Ways Your Mechanic Is Ripping You OffTelling you your brake rotors need to be replaced, when they don't. ... Changing the spark plugs on a 50,000 mile car. ... Recommending miracle cure additives. ... Charging you full price for remanufactured parts.

How can I tell if my mechanic is lying?

0:2433:11#33 How to tell if a Mechanic is lying to you? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's how you know when your mechanics lying to you he's talking yep he's talking exactly whyMoreAnd that's how you know when your mechanics lying to you he's talking yep he's talking exactly why stay quiet so we're inside the shop we've got the papal.

How do you tell if a mechanic is overcharging you?

10 Signs Your Mechanic Is Cheating YouHe Won't Show You Old Parts. ... Fixing Something Unrelated to the Initial Issue. ... Name Brand Everything. ... Things Get Personal. ... Flushes and Top-Offs. ... They Use, “You Wouldn't Understand,” or “It's Complicated.” ... It's Always the Biggest Possible Problem.More items...•

What should you not say to your mechanic?

0:063:345 Things You Should Never Say to a Mechanic - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThings that you should never say to a mechanic. And the first thing is never say I'm gonna watch youMoreThings that you should never say to a mechanic. And the first thing is never say I'm gonna watch you while you fix my car years. Ago little old lady brought a car over here free to work on.

Why are car mechanics so expensive?

Labor Costs Diagnostic Labor – This requires significantly more training than a repair laborer, as well as different tools, both of which require training and exact a significant expense. Repair Labor – This requires a significant amount of training and experience, which master technicians take many years to accrue.

How do you deal with an auto mechanic?

Five Dos And Don'ts When Dealing With An Auto MechanicCommunicate Properly. ... Set Realistic Expectations. ... Don't Drop Off a Dirty or Cluttered Vehicle. ... Make Yourself Available. ... 5, Leave the Technician Alone.

Tips to guide you to the best local mechanics and how to judge the repair estimate

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Sanity-Check Your Repair Estimate

Repair estimates can be confusing. But there are ways to make sure you’re not being overcharged for repairs beyond basic maintenance, such as oil changes. Start by checking CR’s Car Repair Assistant to find out roughly how much a specific repair should cost in your area. Compare that with a written estimate from your mechanic.

Car Maintenance Myths

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly. On the “ Consumer 101 ” TV show, host Jack Rico learns from Consumer Reports expert Jon Linkov the truth behind some of the biggest maintenance myths.

How to fix a car that has been recalled?

Go to a dealership if your car is covered by the original warranty and you want the manufacturer to pay for the fix. Use a dealership, too, if your car has been recalled or is the subject of a "service campaign" in which the automaker offers to correct a defect.

What does a good technician do?

A good technician will let you know when a problem warrants a trip to the dealership or a speciality shop. If you're experiencing a problem with a system that's exclusive to your model or automaker—especially electronics, such as a navigation or multi-function control system—consider taking the vehicle to a dealership.

What is routine maintenance?

Routine maintenance items are those listed in your vehicle's owner's manual as part of the model's service schedule. They are intended to keep your vehicle in top operating condition. Repairs are service that needs to be performed to fix a problem. Where you take your vehicle may depend on what needs to be done.

What happens if a car is out of warranty?

If the vehicle is out of warranty, the type of problem may determine where you take it for repair. A reputable independent shop should be able to handle most common repairs. Shops that specialize in your vehicle's brand are more likely to have the proper training, equipment, and up-to-date information.

Do independent shops have more satisfaction than dealerships?

Based on annual surveys, we find consumers generally have a higher level of satisfaction with independent shops over car dealerships.

How many documents are needed for a car repair?

Typically, three documents are involved in a car repair. Here's how to understand each and to make sure you are being dealt with fairly.

What is a shop fee?

You might see a “shop fee,” or a line for “supplies,” which usually is explained as a charge for the rags, grease, solvents and safe disposal of any environmental hazards. Sometimes a small shop will itemize those charges, but big shops might just charge a percentage of the bill as a shop fee, or perhaps $40.

What is a TSB in auto repair?

Be sure it gets automakers’ technical service bulletins. A TSB provides an automaker's approved way of fixing a growing or common problem — such as rough shifting or a leaking transmission — that doesn't qualify for a recall. Work that's related to a TSB while your car's still under warranty should be free, so be sure to ask.

Can a shop do additional work without a written estimate?

Usually, it would be limited to routine maintenance or diagnostics. The form should tell you under what circumstances the shop can do additional work, or charge more, without giving you a written estimate although sometimes a simple phone call and your consent is considered sufficient to proceed with further work.

Is it a good idea to establish a relationship with a dealership or repair shop for routine matters?

Cappert says it's a good idea to establish a relationship with a dealership or repair shop for routine matters, like oil changes and inspections, so that when you have an emergency or urgent job, you're already comfortable with the shop.

How to find a mechanic?

Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your mechanic search. Type "auto repair" into the search field and enter your ZIP code. You can filter the results based on distance, most reviewed and highest rated. The goal should be to find a place that strikes a balance between a good rating and a substantial number of reviews. For example, a place may have a glowing review, but if it's the only review, that customer's experience might not be the same as yours. Or worse, it could be a misleading review from an employee or business owner.

Is Yelp a misleading review?

For example, a place may have a glowing review, but if it's the only review, that customer's experience might not be the same as yours. Or worse, it could be a misleading review from an employee or business owner. Yelp has an algorithm that helps it spot misleading reviews, but sometimes they can slip by undetected.

Is Yelp good for Lexus?

We've had good experiences with Yelp recommendations as we looked for a mechanic to work on Edmunds' long-term 1996 Lexus ES 300, which is the subject of our Debt-Free Car Project. With our new long-term vehicles, we tend to use dealerships exclusively. But because containing costs is important for the Lexus project, we've used Yelp four times to locate independent mechanics. Of the four, we would go back to three of them. We've found Yelp to be the most useful site, thanks to its review volume and convenience.