Did you know that the average car owner in the United States of America spends around $1,000 each year on repairs and maintenance? Learning how to find a good mechanic is a great step to take if you’ve just purchased your first car and you want it to last a while. A trustworthy mechanic will never upsell you anything and will ensure that your vehicle is well-maintained.
It might sound tricky trying to find a mechanic, but there are a number of helpful tricks that you can use in order to find a local car mechanic that will help you keep your car running like the day it left the factory. The good news is that you’ve found the right resource to use in order to find a car mechanic.
Keep reading this article for seven helpful tips today!
1. Get References
A great way to get started when you set out to find a mechanic is to get references from friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers. Any person you know that owns a car can point you in the direction of the mechanic to whom they entrust their vehicles to. Don’t give in to the temptation of going with a brand name or a chain auto shop.
You will get much better customer service when you learn how to find a good mechanic that owns a locally-owned auto shop. Their livelihood depends on providing the best service possible to the people in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask around as this is the most effective way to find a good car mechanic near you.
2. Check the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau is a great resource to use if you’re looking to find a car mechanic to maintain or fix your vehicle. You can learn about past complaints from consumers toward the mechanic for upselling, overcharging, or shady activity as a whole. If you see a large number of complaints about a mechanic then it is best to steer clear.
It’s also a great resource to use if you want to see how the mechanic handles negative reviews. A good mechanic will address the issues and do everything in their power to resolve them. It’s also a great way to find out how long the mechanic has been in business.
3. Find AAA-Certified Auto Shops
Another good tip to use when you’re trying to find a mechanic is to look at the auto shops in your area that are certified by AAA. Only 7,000 auto shops can boast that they’re certified by AAA, meaning that you’re working with a great mechanic if you’re taking your vehicle to one of those shops.
AAA sticks to some strict standards that they require when it comes to the customer service that a good car mechanic provides. The facility also needs to stand up to those standards, meaning that you’ll enjoy a comfortable shop when you’re waiting for the repairs to get completed. The staff also needs to be up to par with training and certifications, meaning that you’ll enjoy peace of mind at the truck suspension shop.
4. Find Out Who the Taxi Companies Use
A pro tip to use when you’re learning how to find a good mechanic is to find out who the local bus and taxi companies use to service their vehicles. These businesses will struggle to stay in business if their vehicles aren’t running in a smooth and reliable fashion. You can trust that they’ll only get their vehicles fixed by the best mechanics in the area.
Don’t be afraid to call the office of your local taxi company to find out who services their vehicles. You could end up getting to work with the best mechanic that you’ll end up taking your vehicle to for years to come. It’s a small price to pay for the best auto service possible.
5. Look for Shops With Experience
Look for a good mechanic that has years of experience working on cars and trucks before you take your car to get repairs. Advertisements and plaques that show off how long the mechanic has been in business are a great indicator that you’ve found the right person to maintain your vehicles.
You can also ask the mechanic how long they’ve been working on vehicles to get a better idea of their experience level. In general, you’re better off working with a mechanic that has had the same customers for decades.
6. Read Online Reviews
A great approach to take in addition to checking out the Better Business Bureau is to take a look on Google at the mechanics near you. You can find a ton of helpful online reviews that will make narrowing down your list of options much easier. You should expect to run into some negative reviews, but avoid working with a mechanic that has an overwhelming number of negative reviews.
You can learn more about past issues that other customers have had, or about great customer service experiences that customers have enjoyed. Reading Google reviews is a sure way to find a car mechanic that you will trust for decades.
7. Ask Your Insurance Company
Your car insurance company is a great resource to use if you’re looking to find a good car mechanic. Some insurance companies offer benefits for taking your vehicle to one of their recommended auto shops. You could end up getting top-notch car repairs at a wonderful price if you choose to learn how to find a good mechanic and reach out to your insurance company.
Now You’re Prepared to Find a Mechanic
Taking the right steps to find a mechanic comes down to doing your own research and asking friends and family members about who they use to service their vehicles. Don’t hesitate to check out the Better Business Bureau or Google reviews to narrow down your search. You should also consider using a locally-owned car shop for the best customer service experience possible.
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