There is something about driving down the open road with the wind in your hair. That’s why 88% of American households own at least one car!
Though your car has never let you down or had any real problems, it’s time for maintenance and repairs. But how do you find an honest, fair mechanic?
We put together a quick guide with our best tips for choosing an auto repair shop. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before handing over your car keys.
1. Ask Your Friends and Family
You can trust your friends and family not to steer you wrong when you need a recommendation. See if anyone has used a repair shop that they can recommend to you. Friends and family can also let you know if they used a bad repair shop so you know who to avoid.
2. Choose an Auto Repair Mechanic Before You Need Them
A recent survey found about 130,000 car repair shops in the United States. But, you don’t want to wait until an emergency happens to start looking for the best shop.
As soon as you drive the car off the lot, you should look for a repair shop you trust in case you need them. You wouldn’t wait until you’re sick to choose a doctor, would you?
3. Look at Online Reviews
Another way to vet auto repair shops is to look for recent online reviews. Try to find both good and bad reviews to get a complete picture of what it’s like working with that repair shop.
While you’re online, check out the repair shop’s website as well. Make sure it looks professional and see if they have any repair specials or discounts.
4. Go Check Out the Shop
Once you have a short list of potential options, it’s a good idea to visit the shops. Watch how they interact with customers, how they handle the cars and how clean the shop is. Also, look for training certificates so you know how qualified the repair techs are.
5. Get a Small Service First
Before jumping right to auto body repair or transmission repair service, try getting a small service like an oil change first. If that goes well, then you know you can trust that shop with bigger repairs and services.
Car Repairs by People Who Care
When it comes to auto repair shops, you want to know you’re leaving your car with someone you can trust. The last thing you want is to get overcharged or subpar repairs!
Keep this article in mind as you search for a reputable repair shop near you. That way you know you’re making the best choice for your vehicle repairs.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned everything you need to know about choosing a great auto repair mechanic. If you’re in need of a reputable repair shop in Fredericksburg VA, check us out and make an appointment today!