Getting your car fixed is akin to having dental work done – you don’t necessarily want to go through it, but it has to be done. There are a variety of reasons one needs to get their car fixed, including body work caused by an accident, brake troubles or even engine problems. How you go about repairing those issues and who you choose to do the work is perhaps the most important aspect when it comes to needing some auto repairs. Looking for a few things when it comes to hiring someone to repair your car can help you choose the right person.
Perhaps the best way to decide who will perform your auto repairs is to get a referral from someone you trust. There’s nothing like getting a first-hand account from someone who will give you an honest assessment of an experience he or she had when working with a company. If you trust that person’s judgment, you could find yourself getting car repair work that is high-quality. To be safe, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau to see if the mechanic you are considering hiring has a good rating with them. If not, or if there’s actually an unresolved complaint filed against them, you may want to hire an alternative.
You should also use your common sense when deciding which mechanic to hire for your repairs. If the mechanic doesn’t sound too knowledgeable about what’s going on with your car, that’s a sign you don’t want to ignore, because you won’t get quality work. If the mechanic or his staff is rude and unprofessional, you can usually make the assumption that your business isn’t appreciated with them. However, if the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and professional, there’s a good chance you’ll receive the kind of car repair you desire.
Generally, car dealerships have the most resources when it comes to repairing vehicles. Dealerships can often tackle and resolve problems that smaller, independent mechanics may not be able to. They may have access to special tools or parts needed to repair the car that the smaller mechanic may not have. They also have technicians that are exclusively trained to service the problems that happen with your type of car. However, you’ll likely pay a premium for taking your car to a dealership. Dealerships are thirty percent more expensive than the independent mechanics and often offer warranties for their work.
Smaller, independent mechanics often charge less for their work. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t get the expertise and high-quality work a car dealership will give you. Independent mechanics often have less overhead to pay than dealerships have, so they can afford to charge less for car repair. The bottom line is you need to trust your instincts and use common sense when it comes to finding someone to perform repairs on your car. If not, you may end up with low-quality work that costs you more than you can afford.
