#Questions To Ask at an Auto Repair Shop

When your car needs to be fixed, you need to find a repair shop you can trust to provide timely repairs and accurate estimates. Car owners often find this task to be overwhelming because of the sheer number of choices they have. This search takes a little bit of work. When you can bring in your car with confidence that it will be fixed well and for a good price, you will be glad you took the time to do this research.

1. Are you a member of any associations?

Auto repair shops can be members of various manufacturer, parts or service associations, such as NAPA Autocare, AAA, TechNet, Parts Plus or ASP. In order to become a member of these organizations, the shop must meet certain qualifications, and some of the associations even contact current customers to see if the technicians do quality work.

2. Are your technicians certified?

Look for a shop that has certified technicians. Delco, ASP and ASE all offer certification, as do the major automotive manufacturers. If possible, find a shop that hires technicians with certification to work on your particular type of vehicle or your particular type of problem.

Mechanics can also be certified beyond these points. Continuing education from a local college or after-market training from automotive industry leaders show that the repair professionals are dedicated to their craft and are willing to invest a little money and effort into ensuring that they can repair the latest makes and models of vehicles.

3. Do you have customer references I can talk to?

Ask the shop for references. Call those references and ask questions about the work, cost and timeliness of the shop. Ask about how clearly the shop communicated with the customer, both about the estimated cost of repairs and about what they are doing.

4. What kind of equipment does your shop use?

Today's cars are quite complex pieces of machinery, so you need a shop that has the right equipment. Computerized diagnostics are vital to accurate assessment of automotive problems, while online computer systems help technicians further pinpoint problems without spending hours on the clock pulling the engine apart just to diagnose the problem.

5. Are you local?

While the dealership or big-name shop may be your first consideration when looking for a repair shop, do not neglect to look at the locally owned, independent auto repair shops. Often, those repair shops that are not tied to a big name brand have better prices, yet still maintain the certification and training necessary to provide excellent repairs.

6. What is your shop's hourly rate ?

Automotive repair shops usually charge a set hourly labor rate. If two shops have similar qualifications and great references, but one charges $20 more per hour than the other, you may want to choose the more affordable option.

Keep in mind that those who charge significantly less than others may offer poorer service, so check the rate only after checking all other aspects of the shop. If you can find a repair shop with excellent references, the right qualifications and a reasonable hourly rate, you have likely found the right one for your needs.