Honest Mechanic

Who to trust & where to go

At some point in your driving life you will need to take your car to the mechanics; either for a minor repair or for something that has gone majorly wrong. Not only does fixing a car cost a lot of money, but how do you know the work has actually been done, or has the garage ripped you off?

Usually if you have used the same mechanic for years and they know you on a personal level you will feel they are more trustworthy. However, knowing a mechanic is not specifically on the minds of most people, until something goes wrong.

Following these steps will ensure you find the right mechanic and have your car fixed in no time.

Step One

Shop around for a mechanic before things go wrong, it is better to be prepared and ready for something than need to rush about when a problem occurs. Keeping your vehicle well maintained is the key to preventing major damage. Maintaining your car each year can prevent large pay-outs when things take a turn for the worst.

Step Two

Don’t be afraid to ask for a shop reference from garages, and follow up on the work they have done previously. Give references a call to verify the work they have done, and make notes on what is said, this will help to ensure you take your car to a good garage.

Step Three

One of the best forms of recommendation is word of mouth, so ask family, friends and co-workers to suggest a reputable garage. It is common knowledge that your friends and family account for your decision making so don’t be afraid to ask them for their opinion.

Step Four

It may be worth calling your local council as they will be able to tell you if there have been any complaints made against the garage in question.

Step Five

You may think that quality comes at a price; well this is not always the case in the mechanic world. You may find that the smaller garages will spend more time on the car and get it right first time, compared to the bigger, more well-known garages that can charge a premium for the work and not spend sufficient time on your car.

Step Six

If you travel quite a lot, then it may be worth checking your garages warranty coverage. A large proportion of garages are backed by a warranty program meaning that the parts they fit are covered for both parts and labour for 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Step Seven

It is worth looking for garages which have the best tools for the job and will be able to diagnose what is wrong with your car properly. Most cars build since the 1980’s have on board computers to control the engine, making it both more efficient and aid troubleshooting for the car. If the garage does not have the correct equipment then they could be falsely diagnosing your car.

Step Eight   

Check if the people working in the garage have any qualifications that are worth noting, as they may stand out from the other garages and give you more trust in the garage in question.

Step Nine

If you have work done to your car, and it requires a new part to be fitted you need to ask for a receipt for the part. This is proof that the part has either been ordered in or that the part has been fitted. With this receipt, you will be covered if the part has problems in the near future.

Following these steps will ensure you are choosing the correct place to get your car repaired and the right way to do it. You must remember that different garages have different roles. If a garage specifically deals with tyres and exhausts then you would not go to them for a paint issue.

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