Choosing the right mechanic is a critically important decision for any car owner. Ideally, you can establish a close working relationship—rather than the stereotypical impersonal transaction people experience at a dealership’s service department. Of course, if you buy or lease a new car every two or three years, you’ll visit the dealership for service as long as your car’s warranty is in effect. But after your warranty expires, that’s when your search for an independent shop begins.
Word of Mouth is the Best Way to Find the Right Mechanic
Start by getting recommendations from family and friends. Then, go through web reviews from reputable online consumer sites—searching out key attributes like honesty, skill, experience, and affordability. Next place a call or pay a visit. A long-term relationship begins when you find the right mechanic, one who is willing to openly chat about your maintenance needs.
Don’t Shop on Price Alone
Remember, anyone can quote a cheap price. But it’s the quality of parts and service that matters most. Getting a great price on a job you don’t really need is a bad outcome, although perhaps not as bad as totally botched job (or the occasional truly deceitful mechanic that charges for work that didn’t actually happen).
It’s Not One Size Fits All
Some shops are full-service—handling everything from rebuilding engines to modifying suspension systems. Others are for minor repair only, such as oil changes and tune-ups. Regardless, most auto mechanics only do mechanical and electrical work—not body, paint, tire replacement, or exhaust-system tasks. You’ll need to seek out a specialized shop for those jobs.
Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Vehicle
That’s only the beginning of the degrees of specialization, with some shops only working on diesels, four-wheel-drive, large trucks, or RVs. If you have one of these vehicles, it’s probably best to avoid a general auto repair shop. You should also check to see if a preferred mechanic is equally at ease working on American, Japanese, or German models. Often, a specialist is required for Italian, British, or cars from other less popular carmakers.
There’s Something to be Said for Simplicity
For better or worse, today’s cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated and digitized. The complexity can mean make it difficult for the typical backyard mechanic to discover every fault or defect. We highly encourage the creativity that comes with doing the work yourself. But in the end, when in doubt, most motorists will have a more satisfying experience by working with a trustworthy expert mechanic.
(Image: Precious Metals by Ken Zylla.)
