Finding the right car repair shop can be a time-consuming task. It is for this reason that you want to start your search for a repair shop before car trouble strikes. How do you even know where to start? Here are a few tips to help you find an experienced, knowledgeable, reliable, reputable and trustworthy repair shop.
Ask for recommendations – One of the best ways to find a good shop is to ask family, friends and neighbors which repair shop they use and also ask them for some honest insight about the shop and their employees.
Look for a shop that services your vehicle’s make and model – Whether you are the proud owner of a BMW, a Honda, a Toyota or something in between, you’ll want to find a shop that works on the make/model of your vehicle. If they do, it means that they are more than likely to have the latest equipment and training for servicing your vehicle.
Look for a shop that employs ASE Certified Technicians – It is important to find a repair shop that employs ASE Certified Technicians. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE for short, is a non-profit organization that certifies automotive technicians and service professionals in the automotive repair and service industry. To become certified, candidates must take a series of rigorous exams. Also, candidates need to either go through 2 years of on-the-job work experience or go through 1 year of on-the-job work experience and possess a 2-year degree in automotive repair.
Visit the shop and ask questions before making your decision – Once you have a list of repair shops narrowed down to 2 or 3, you’ll want to visit the repair shops and ask a few important questions. “How long have you been in business?” The longer a shop has been in business, the more industry experience, knowledge and skills they are likely to have. “Do you provide written estimates?” Car repairs can be costly, so it’s important to have a detailed written estimate.
Always trust your intuition – When you’re considering a repair shop, it’s crucial that you trust your gut instinct. For instance, if the repair shop doesn’t seem busy and employees are just sitting around, this could be an indication that they have a tough time keeping satisfied customers. If the shop is cluttered or disorganized, this may be a reflection of the type of service they provide. If your gut instinct tells you that something just isn’t right, move on and find another repair shop where you will feel comfortable bringing your vehicle for repairs!
I like that you suggested asking how long a car repair shop has been in business when you visit them. I need to have my car repaired because it has been making grinding noises when it’s shifting. Well, I’m afraid for my car to totally breaks while I’m on the road because that may put my safety at risk. What I want is to be able to drive it again, so I’ll do all your tips.