Choosing a Mechanic
(aka: Finding the right "Wrench")
By: Tessa Wegert
Questions to ask yourself before your next service
Dealership versus non-dealership?
Going with an independent or local chainFinding a good auto mechanic to either maintain or repair your vehicle can be tricky business and is often a task left until the last possible moment. After all, how is a mechanic different from a doctor, with the exception of a slightly different type of patient? And just as with our health, too many of us wait to visit until something seems to be wrong.
But before we can offer tips to help guide you through the myriad of different ASPs (Automotive Service Providers), it is helpful to answer a few qualifying questions.
What type of car do you drive? - How old is the car? - How much do you think you know about cars?
One of the first things to consider is the type of vehicle you drive, because as we are all (sometimes painfully) aware, not all cars are created equal. But with regard to service, this is important because it can quickly inform you as to whether you might qualify for "aftermarket" chains and local mechanics, or if you are best off sticking with your dealership. Because there are so many potential repairs and services in existence, it is impossible to say that you are always best going to a certain type of facility.
For example, if you drive a late model import with all of the latest electronic wizardry and your SAT-NAV goes belly-up, it's probably apparent that your local friend-of-a- friend might not be able to take care of it. However, if your car is part of the domestic family and running on a power train that has been around for a while, chances are much better that either a national franchise or even local independent will be able to handle it.
The age of the car is equally important, for a couple of reasons. For starters, is the car still covered under either the bumper-to-bumper or power train warranties? While you don't need to use the dealership exclusively to keep your warranties intact, work covered by a warranty almost always needs to be carried out at either the dealership or (in some cases) an approved and/or accredited facility.
Legislation exists to protect the independent service shops (of which there are more than 100,000 in North America) requiring automotive manufacturers to make repair and service information available. Problem is, cars have gotten so complex that the training and equipment needed to service them can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, making much of the more significant procedures cost ineffective for the majority of independents.
Finally, with this same complexity we have seen a trend where entire engine compartments are covered with acres of fancy plastic to make things look cool. Even longtime DIYers may have trouble locating or accessing common components in a scenario like this. People often think that to use a non-dealer facility they must be better informed so as not to "get taken" and ensure that their issues are properly addressed. This, though, is generally not the case.
At the risk of generalizing, if you're looking to possibly save some money or to support your local shop, you are well advised to seek an independent repair facility for minor items like oil changes and small repairs, especially when you car is out of warranty. Big-ticket repairs and major work, which will be covered under warranty, especially under new model cars, is a job best left to the dealership for obvious reasons. Big-ticket items not covered under warranty, however, are also often the domain of franchises and independents, as they often offer lower labor and parts prices and have likely seen most repairs before.
For the sake of comparison, ASPs (Automotive Service Providers) can be categorized either as factory approved dealerships or non-dealerships (franchises and independents). Below is a very basic guideline for choosing a provider:
DealershipWarranty work
Major repair
Scheduled service (major)
Major electrical repairs
Recall work
Unique brand-specific work
Non-dealership
Oil changes
Tires and alignment
Muffler work
Minor repair
Brake work
Glass
Scheduled service (minor)
Once you have discerned whether your needs are dealer-related or not, you can follow these rules of thumb for choosing an actual location.Choosing a Dealership or National Franchise:
When selecting a dealership or national franchise it is generally okay to shop by price. At this level, much of the work and parts quality should be comparable. Also, this is a good opportunity to consider things like convenience (proximity to work, use of service loaners, on-site body shop, etc.) and local reputation. As with any facility, a personal recommendation from someone you know is best.
Choosing an Independent or Local Chain:Selecting an independent repair shop or small chain isn't quite as straightforward, but can be very rewarding. Not only can you save money, you are certainly more likely to find that coveted "local relationship" often reserved for interaction with small town doctors, pharmacists, florists, and lawyers.
You should use the same prudence in selecting a non-dealer facility that you would in picking a Chinese buffet. And you don't need to be an expert in Feng Shui to pick up on some of the tell tales.
What is the general appearance? Is the neat and tidy, or does it look like it was organized by a pack of caffeinated four-year-olds? Is the place busy, with several comparable brands and models to your car filling the parking lot, or did you have to wake someone up when you got there?
Many of these questions are basic and can be a decent indicator of a repair shop's state of affairs. Some things that might not be quite as obvious for you to look for, however, include:
Certification/accreditation: Displays from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or American Automobile Association (AAA) are both good bets.
Written estimates: You will likely want to steer clear of any shop unwilling or hesitant to put all parts and labor estimates down on paper.
Evidence of the "bait & switch": Some less scrupulous chains are notorious for luring customers into their facilities with low prices for oil changes, then bombarding them with "upgrades" and extra services. If you're in the waiting area and you see technicians sticking a dirty air filter in someone's face and giving him or her the hard sell, head for the door.
Warranty on parts and labor: Reputable shops will often provide warranties on certain procedures and repairs. The industry standard is short at just 30 days with limited mileage, but six months or a year is not unheard of, and is certainly a good sign.
Choosing a service or repair facility is never fun, but it doesn't have to be as painful as it is often made out to be -- if you know what to look for. By asking yourself a few simple questions, you can save yourself considerable money and headache.
Tessa Wegert is a journalist and copywriter specializing in online media. She has written for such companies as Audible.com and Audi, and also pens a weekly syndicated column on Internet media for ClickZ.com. To contact Tessa about this article or to suggest future topics, please click here.
Copyright © 2005-2007 Servassist Online - All rights reserved