All you need is your oil changed. That little red light is been flashing since last night, so you pull into the first auto repair shop on your way to work today. That, or risk your engine seizing. The mechanic seems polite enough. So, you pop the hood and let him do what he does best. He returns with a grim look on his face, along with a list of faults he is doing you a favour by informing you of. Sound familiar? Here is how to find the best mechanic for your car and travel agency Mission BC for your trip.
Firstly, before seeking anyone's expertise, make the effort to at least familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. That way you will not stand there scratching your head while your chosen automotive technician recites mechanical terms that sound Greek but look hieroglyphic on paper. That is the easiest way to get robbed. Plain and simple. Learn the lay of the land so you know where you stand once he, or she, start quoting you prices.
A very convenient and helpful resource when trying to find a good auto technician is seeking the reviews of those in your closest circles. Everyone has an opinion and are usually glad to share them too. Speak to friends, co workers, bloggers, the cute waitress serving mochas at your local coffee bar. If you know they drive often, then they are fair game. The idea is to pool their ideas so you can draw your own conclusions without necessarily having to take anyone's word as gospel.
Having shortlisted a few, turning to the internet would help further refine your search. The content on sites like Yelp are crowd sourced, giving a better indication of how reputable the shops you are considering really are. Or look into the AAA Approved Auto Repair Network where all the shops listed must pass a yearly AAA inspection, and offer 12 000 mile and/or 1 year warranties on all the work they do.
Once you have pin pointed the most likely candidates, your search is not over quite yet. Best practice suggests it is always wise to try before you buy. Visit the workshop first. What condition is it in? You could introduce yourself and speak to its employees. Make a few general enquiries and assess how helpful their suggestions are. In the end, once they have worked on your car, it is possible they will do more harm than good. So, you are not being overly cautious by following some of these suggestions.
Other important variables in the equation are cleanliness and clear signs of organization. If many of the vehicles are parked in the workshop in various stages of repair, it could mean they are not taking a systematic approach to their work. Your vehicle could become merely one of many with its guts spilled out on the workshop floor, with no set deadline for the work actually being completed. So, take heed of any little details. They matter.
A note of caution, it is likely that by following the suggestions given already, you will find a good shop that offers both quality and affordability. But is it an independent workshop or part of a nationally recognized retail chain? Because while dealerships usually offer higher standards of professionalism and expertise, their services tend to hit your wallet a little harder. Whereas, smaller shops might quote you much lower prices, they come at the expense of, potentially, a lower quality of work being done and, arguably the most important consideration, their services might void your manufacturers warranty. So, insist on proof of qualifications first.
Finally, take action! It is pointless waiting until you actually experience a serious breakdown before trying to track down a reputable auto repair shop. In all likelihood, the tow truck driver will simply drop you off at his friends workshop where you will have little control over the type or quality of service you will receive. What is more, with your back against the wall, you will be forced to pay whatever extortionate rates they decide to charge. To paraphrase an auto technician during a recent interview, A mechanic is like a physician, it is better getting to know him during a check up than when you are laying on the operating table. It is hard to fault his logic.
Firstly, before seeking anyone's expertise, make the effort to at least familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. That way you will not stand there scratching your head while your chosen automotive technician recites mechanical terms that sound Greek but look hieroglyphic on paper. That is the easiest way to get robbed. Plain and simple. Learn the lay of the land so you know where you stand once he, or she, start quoting you prices.
A very convenient and helpful resource when trying to find a good auto technician is seeking the reviews of those in your closest circles. Everyone has an opinion and are usually glad to share them too. Speak to friends, co workers, bloggers, the cute waitress serving mochas at your local coffee bar. If you know they drive often, then they are fair game. The idea is to pool their ideas so you can draw your own conclusions without necessarily having to take anyone's word as gospel.
Having shortlisted a few, turning to the internet would help further refine your search. The content on sites like Yelp are crowd sourced, giving a better indication of how reputable the shops you are considering really are. Or look into the AAA Approved Auto Repair Network where all the shops listed must pass a yearly AAA inspection, and offer 12 000 mile and/or 1 year warranties on all the work they do.
Once you have pin pointed the most likely candidates, your search is not over quite yet. Best practice suggests it is always wise to try before you buy. Visit the workshop first. What condition is it in? You could introduce yourself and speak to its employees. Make a few general enquiries and assess how helpful their suggestions are. In the end, once they have worked on your car, it is possible they will do more harm than good. So, you are not being overly cautious by following some of these suggestions.
Other important variables in the equation are cleanliness and clear signs of organization. If many of the vehicles are parked in the workshop in various stages of repair, it could mean they are not taking a systematic approach to their work. Your vehicle could become merely one of many with its guts spilled out on the workshop floor, with no set deadline for the work actually being completed. So, take heed of any little details. They matter.
A note of caution, it is likely that by following the suggestions given already, you will find a good shop that offers both quality and affordability. But is it an independent workshop or part of a nationally recognized retail chain? Because while dealerships usually offer higher standards of professionalism and expertise, their services tend to hit your wallet a little harder. Whereas, smaller shops might quote you much lower prices, they come at the expense of, potentially, a lower quality of work being done and, arguably the most important consideration, their services might void your manufacturers warranty. So, insist on proof of qualifications first.
Finally, take action! It is pointless waiting until you actually experience a serious breakdown before trying to track down a reputable auto repair shop. In all likelihood, the tow truck driver will simply drop you off at his friends workshop where you will have little control over the type or quality of service you will receive. What is more, with your back against the wall, you will be forced to pay whatever extortionate rates they decide to charge. To paraphrase an auto technician during a recent interview, A mechanic is like a physician, it is better getting to know him during a check up than when you are laying on the operating table. It is hard to fault his logic.
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