How to Choose a Car Repair Shop

By Eva R. Marienchild

Are you wondering how to choose a car repair shop that won’t rip you off? Maybe you’ve moved recently and you need a shop in your new hometown.

Or perhaps your current shop isn’t doing a satisfactory job and you’ve decided to switch. To avoid being taken for a ride when you’re choosing a car repair shop, you should do the following:

• Start looking now. Don’t wait until you need a last-minute repair job.
• Ask family and friends for references. Where does Aunt Tillie take her beloved 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
• Check with your state’s Attorney General’s office to see if complaints have been lodged against any shop you’re considering turning your business over to.
Questions to Ask Your Would-Be Repair Technician

When you think you’ve found a reputable mechanic, you need to screen further. Visit the shop armed with a list of the following questions:

• “Are you certified? May I see the certification, if so?” (Keep in mind that a certification of excellence doesn’t guarantee that there will be no mistakes on the part of your mechanic, but it does guarantee that a certain level of excellence has been sought and achieved.)
• “Do you have experience working on my car’s make or model?”
• “What is your warranty policy on repairs?”
• “Will you honor my vehicle’s warranty?”
Repair Costs – Flat Fee or Time Worked?

When you’re confident that you’ve found your new mechanic, it’s time to ask about repair costs. You’ll need to find out how the shop prices its work. Some shops charge a flat rate that is based on a published estimate. In other words, the time required to complete repairs has already been determined and this is the rate the mechanic will quote you, no matter how much time he or she spends on the job.

Other shops calculate their fee by figuring out how much time was actually spent on the repair.

When You Need Work Done

Even if you are perfectly happy with your repair shop, when it comes time to get complicated or expensive work done on your car, consider getting a second opinion. Most repair shops will charge you a diagnostic charge to tell you what they think is wrong with your car. You can then go elsewhere to have the work performed.

Wherever you decide to get the work done, always ask for a written estimate.

What Does a Written Estimate Include?

A written estimate should tell you the condition to be repaired, all the parts that are needed and what the expected labor charge will be. Do not neglect to ask for your own signed copy.

The estimate should also include a clause which states that your approval will be obtained before any work exceeding a certain amount of time or money is commenced.

How Are Car Parts Classified?

When your car needs replacement parts, your mechanic should be able to tell you whether the parts are new, rebuilt or salvage.

New – These parts are specifically made to the manufacturer’s requirements either by the car manufacturer or by an independent company.

Rebuilt – These pieces are reconditioned or remanufactured and have been restored.

Salvage - These parts have been literally salvaged, or saved, from another vehicle without any alteration. Salvage parts are usually the last resource for hard-to-find parts and their reliability is usually not guaranteed.

After The Work Is Done

You should ask your shop for a complete repair order which lists each repair, the parts that were replaced, the cost of each part, the labor charges, and the reading on your car’s odometer when you brought it into the shop, as well as the reading when the repair was completed.