One of the more important things in life is a good, reliable auto mechanic. They can be hard to find. Most people are worried about getting ripped off when they take their cars in for service since they usually don’t know much about their vehicles or what parts and service should cost. Finding a mechanic you trust will eliminate this anxiety. Here are a few things you should look for when searching for a good auto mechanic.
1. Certifications
When evaluating a mechanic, look for a sign or certificate that says they are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE. Another certification that’s often a good sign is AAA certification.
2. Reviews
Read every review you can find. There are plenty of sites that post reviews of auto shops. Look a little further than some of the main review websites like Yelp or Angie’s List. Check out RepairPal and AutoMD. While reading, keep in mind that people are more likely to give bad reviews than good. So, don’t rule out an otherwise good shop if they have a few bad reviews. Look for a high rating, and read through the bad reviews with an open mind.
3. Talk with Friends and Family
Ask around and see who your friends and family use. Ask them how they feel about their mechanic. One of the best things to ask is why they go there. If they go to a certain mechanic just for the convenience, you might not want to go where they do.
4. Talk to Mechanic and Look at Old Parts
If you ever have any work done on your vehicle, you need to ask the mechanic to go over what they did with you. Ask questions and try to find out what was done and why. A good mechanic will be able to show you what was wrong with the old parts, and they’ll be able to explain what problems those old parts created.
5. Keep Your Eyes Open While in the Shop
When you go into an auto shop, look around to see what they have on the walls, and see if they have a lot of business. Things like shop cleanliness can also be indicators of a good mechanic. But don’t go only on this detail, as there are wonderful mechanics that are not organized.