Finding the Right Mechanic for Your Car

Finding a reliable auto repair shop can be a challenge, so don’t wait until something actually goes wrong with your car before starting to search for an auto mechanic.

When you begin your search, do the same sort of careful research that you do for any other big-ticket purchase.

Repair options

You have several options. You could go to a large national chain or a dealership. But they may be more interested in generating revenue than in saving you money. If your car is still covered by the warranty, that may not be an issue, but if the warranty has expired, you’re vulnerable. In either case, you’ll almost certainly not get to discuss things with the mechanic who would work on your vehicle.

If your car needs more than a simple oil change, your best bet is a local, independently owned garage. The local repair shop owner may be the mechanic who actually works on your car. Owners are interested in building a long-term relationship with their clients. They are more likely to consider your interests and get to know your car over time.

Choosing a local mechanic

So how do you find the right local repair shop?

You could start by seeking recommendations from friends, co-workers and neighbours.

You could ask local car club members, too. If you belong to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), they can point you toward a CAA-approved vehicle repair facility, which improves the odds of your getting quality service at reasonable prices. The Automobile Protection Association also maintains a list of reputable repair shops.

You can check Ontario repair shops’ ratings on the website CarRepairRatings.com. Consumers give each repair shop they’ve dealt with an overall rating as well as rating them for costs/fees, knowledge; honesty; and wait times.

Questions to Ask

Then it’s time to visit some repair shops in person. Here’s what to do.

● Talk with the service manager and ask questions. Are they responsive or annoyed by your questions?

● If the mechanic’s licence isn’t displayed, ask to see it.

● Ask the shop for references and be sure to check them.

● Make sure the repair shop guarantees its work. How long is their warranty good for? Does it cover only parts, or include labour, too?

● Ask if the mechanic is knowledgeable about your specific car model?

● Make sure the final bill will match the upfront estimate. You should not have to pay for repairs you haven’t authorized.

● Ask if your final invoice will clearly itemize each of the repairs.

● If you’re coming to the repair shop with a specific problem, get a second opinion on the diagnostics, then negotiate a time line for the repairs.

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