How to pick a good mechanic
When your car breaks down on the highway, you won’t have time to evaluate the qualities of the mechanics and pick the best among them. But you can do it when your car is working fine and there is ample time to search and evaluate. look for a mechanic that understands fuel injection cleaner
A mechanic performs maintenance tasks on your car to prevent it from breaking down. He repairs and restores it to the working condition when it does break down or develops defects. Hence, he should have a certain set of qualifications, experience, and the specialization. also see this for more car care here
Table Of Contents
Auto Mechanic – License
Licensing may not be legal mandatory in many of the states. However, it can give you the details about the category of the mechanic’s work expertise. For example, a mechanic may be expert in handling light automobiles like cars, vans, and jeeps. The other categories are heavy trailers, trucks, etc. There are also many sub-categories like engines, suspension systems, fuel systems, brakes, etc.
Searching for licensed mechanics will reduce the risk of ending up with unqualified and inexperienced repairers by 50%. If there is no scope for finding them, you can opt for the next step.
Auto Mechanic – Certification
The auto mechanic should have certification from Automobile Service Excellence (ASE) or its equivalent from an authorized training institute. You have to make sure the certification is given after passing the hands-on training program.
If the certification is from an online program, you have to ensure the practical experience of maintenance and repair for at least one or two years. You can do it by checking the training period and the experience certificate from reputed companies.
Manufacturer-Specific Certification is an added advantage for finding the best mechanic. For example, a mechanic may be certified by Ford, Benz, Hyundai, or the others. Then you can be confident that he can handle your brand of automobile efficiently and effectively.
Auto Mechanic- Search
American Automobile Association (AAA) is an independent quality evaluation and certification organization in the USA. Any mechanic who is approved by the AAA is supposed to be efficient, trained, and expertise in the fields of maintenance and repair. The AAA network is a good place where you can search for an experienced mechanic online. The other recommended online searches are through the Better Business Bureau, and the local business directories or yellow pages.
Auto Mechanic – Company or individual
The recommended choice is an auto mechanic company with an established repair and service shop. They are the ones who can give you a warranty for the repaired and serviced parts. They can also offer a vast range of trusted services within their infrastructure.
The other benefit is the complete examination of your automobile and estimation of the quote for repair and service. You can use the quote to compare with other service providers before making your final choice.
An auto mechanic company will have specialized and certified employees for engines, transmission systems, fuel and injection, suspension parts, electrical parts, etc. They can carry out repairs and preventive maintenance tasks for your automobile at affordable prices.
An auto mechanic company can provide complete servicing for your car after the necessary repairs. It can protect the auto parts from risks and extend the runtime.
Auto Mechanic – Infrastructure
The automobile repair shop should have the right infrastructure for ensuring the safety of your vehicle and quality of service. The premises with easy accessibility, options for the drive in and drive out, lighting, and the standard equipment are the primary criteria. Moreover, they should have the OEM certified spare parts, accessories, consumables, and materials needed for service and repair.
You can find information about the mechanic shop infrastructure when you visit their website or read reviews online. The recommended method is to visit the shop and examine the infrastructure. Once you are happy with it, you can go ahead and talk to the mechanics.
Auto mechanic – Experience
An auto mechanic’s experience in a specific field can have an impact on the quality of service. He will be able to diagnose the defects accurately and offer the best solution which works for a long time. You can evaluate the experience factor when you visit the website and read specific reviews online. However, you have to focus only on such reviews which are related to the specific problems related to your automobile.
For example, your car may have suspension system issues. Then you have to read reviews about auto mechanic companies that specialize in that field. Sometimes you may require approaching a mechanic for generic repair and maintenance standards that are applicable to all types of repairs and services. Then the best possible method is to interact with the auto mechanic directly.
Auto Mechanic – Interaction
An interactive session with the employees can help you get clarity about their experience and expertise. You may need to do some homework before talking to them. Read about the basics of auto repair and maintenance. Ask specific questions related to your vehicle.
Your automobile may have specific problems which are recurring. You can ask the mechanic about the best method for fixing such recurring issues. Make a note of he suggests he gives. These are the technical notes which you will need for comparison when you talk to the next mechanic.
Once you are sure of the technical expertise of the mechanic, list out the top two or three companies in your region. It is always better to opt for local mechanics for regular maintenance and repairs. Physical proximity ensures accessibility and availability for emergency services. It will also ensure you get the best customer care and attention.
Auto Mechanic – Estimates
The estimation from an auto mechanic needs to be evaluated at the time of service or repair. However, you can get to know about the labor rates for a specific type of service or repair. Then you can get an idea about the average budget you need to have.
Compare the quote every time when you take your automobile for maintenance or repair service. However, you need to consider quality and post-service warranty apart from the costs.