Unless you’re a mechanic, at some point most of us have been in the position where we receive the quote and think to ourselves “is this real or are they trying to get me?”. It can be hard to know unless you know the ins and outs of your vehicle. Knowing how to find a good mechanic not only saves you money, it also provides peace of mind. When looking for a mechanic, there are helpful ways to separate the good mechanics from the bad ones. And that is why we are exploring how to find a good mechanic!
Find Who Serves the Big Fleets in Your Area
The first way of knowing how to find a good mechanic in your area is finding out who serves large fleets. This can be government agencies, delivery vans, taxi companies and so on. A bad mechanic can cost you money but when you’re maintaining dozens on vehicles, a bad mechanic costs thousands. Fleet managers have invested resources in due diligence. If they are happy (or not) a fleet manager will be happy to refer new business to the mechanic who treats them right. The good mechanic can now help you as well.
Word of Mouth
You’re probably not the first in your group of friends, family, and acquaintances to ask “how to find a good mechanic” and chances are one of them has found an answer. What do they like about their mechanic? How close are they to where you live or work? Talking to the people in your network will narrow the field and allow you to focus on just a few as you do your homework on finding a good mechanic.
Online Reviews
There are a handful of online resources for finding highly recommended mechanics. Yelp, Angie’s List, or industry-specific Car Talk’s Mechanic Files are great resources to cross-reference and see what people other than your friend has to say. Maybe your friend is the exception and other people are getting a different experience. Looking for a good mechanic can be tough but you’re on the right path!
Check for Certifications
You know what customers are saying about the mechanics but what does the industry have to say about the mechanic? AAA has an approved Auto Repair Network that you don’t need to be a member to take advantage of that. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has some great resources. There are also manufacturer certified shops. And don’t forget to ask your insurance company for recommendations. When you’re done with that, head over to the Better Business Bureau.
Interview
By now you’re well on your way to finding a good mechanic. You should have it narrowed down to only a couple now. Call each of them up and get an idea of what it’s like to do business with them. This is a great time to talk to a mechanic and ask questions like:
- How long have you been in business?
- How many years of experience do you have?
- What type of warranties do you offer?
- Would you be working on my car or another mechanic?
- How many years of experience do they have?
- What does your shop specialize in (if applicable)?
- How much does an estimate cost?
- Is the estimate waived if I receive the service?
- What type of parts do you use: New, used, after-market, OEM
- Can you provide your own parts?
- What type of payments are accepted?
This conversation will help get an idea of not only the answers to these questions but the demeanor of the mechanic. Are they patient or dismissive? Polite or rude? One personality can match with one person and clash with another. Finding the right personality can be as important as the technical abilities of a good mechanic or auto repair shop.
Small Job to Start
You’ve asked how to find a good mechanic and you’ve done your research. It’s time for a test drive. Before any major work is done, it’s best to start with a small job first to find out if they are the good mechanic you think they may be. Maybe after reading our 10 signs you need an oil change you know it’s time for an oil change. This is a great entry with your new mechanic to see if it is all as advertised. Knowing they can walk the walk is important and you can learn a lot from coming into the shop and seeing how they conduct business. This could also be a great time to test online schedule service capabilities and book online.
Finding a Good Mechanic
After following these directions on how to find a good mechanic, you can narrow down the large field of mechanics and find the right one for you. Your friends and family will be so happy when they have car issues and you can point them in the right direction.