Finding a Mechanic
Do you know how to fix everything on your own car? Most people don’t even bother to read that little manual that comes with their cars, let alone know how to change a flat tire. That’s why we have mechanics, and thank goodness for them! Once, I had someone tell me that my rear left light was out, and I thought it was the end of the world as we knew it. When I brought my car in to the “regular guy” I go to and, with a sense of exasperation, pointed out my problem, he laughed at me. It was no big deal. Well, to most of us who don’t know a thing about cars, things like that ARE a big deal. That’s why it is so important to know who you can bring your vehicle to and then trust them to fix it the right way.
Searching for Mr. Goodwrench
There are lots of good suggestions out there for things to keep in mind when you begin to look for a mechanic. Some of these include the following:
- Phone a Friend- If any of your friends have vehicles, there’s a good chance that their car has broken down or needed repairs at some point. See if they have any suggestions and then follow up.
- New Vehicle?- If you bought a new car recently, check the warranty. If the warranty is still good, then you will probably need to take it to the dealership to have them work on the repair. Make sure the repair is covered though. Some dealership warranties only cover certain repairs. If your vehicle is older and doesn’t have a warranty then make sure you get some sort of written guarantee from whichever shop you bring it to. Make sure that this warranty covers all of the parts and labor.
- Look for Accreditation- A more reputable automotive shop should have on clear display, some sort of up-to-date certification as well as accreditation from the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
- Price Isn’t Everything- Never choose an automotive shop based on price alone. Sometimes you do get what you pay for…
- Test it Out- If you have the time and opportunity, bring your vehicle into the repair shop to have them perform something small, such as an oil change. Pay close attention to the timeliness and manner in which they performed the task as well as how they treated you. If they pass this test, you may consider going back.
If you are looking to rent a car in North Carolina, stop by and visit us at Triangle Rent A Car, where we’re driven to be #1 with you!
Please visit our main site while you're here.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed!
Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed
You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.
Share This
[…] Finding a mechanic can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’ve just moved to a new area. There are several things you should always keep in mind. First, don’t wait until your vehicle breaks down. If you’ve just bought your car and it’s brand new, try to locate a dealership that deals specifically with your vehicle. For example, if you’ve just purchased a Jeep from a Jeep dealership back home and now you’re in a new area, look up to see where the nearest Jeep dealership is. If you have a used car or if you don’t have a preference as to where you bring your vehicle, then shop around to find out where there is a qualified mechanic. One of the best ways to do this is by talking to a friend. If you’ve made friends in the area, ask them where they bring their cars to get serviced. If this doesn’t work out, you can always "test" out a mechanic’s shop by bringing your vehicle there for something as small as an oil change. Pay close attention to how they treat you as well as the overall quality of the service(s) they provide. It will serve as a good indicator in the future for whether or not you feel comfortable leaving your vehicle in their hands. […]