Most of us hate taking our cars to the mechanic. Cars are complicated machines that require specialized skills to fix them properly, which most of us don’t have. Therefore, we take them to mechanics.
However, some of us have had bad experiences with a mechanic who overcharged or didn’t necessarily fix the problem at hand. Finding a trusted mechanic, like American Automotive, isn’t the easiest thing in the world.
You can avoid working with a bad mechanic by asking them the following questions before they start repairing your car.
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1. Do You Have Experience Working On Cars Like Mine?
Every car is built differently. Hyundai is not the same as a Volkswagen, and some cars even require mechanics to have a special certification to work on them.
Don’t go to a mechanic who isn’t familiar with the make and model of your car. You want someone who knows what they’re doing when repairing it.
2. Can You Provide A Written Estimate?
The biggest fear we have when getting our cars repaired is walking out paying an unexpectedly high bill. So, during the inspection and estimation stage of your repairs, ask the mechanic to provide a written estimated cost for you.
When you have a written record, it’s easier to argue or prove what the repairs should have cost.
3. How Do You Handle Unexpected Problems?
Sometimes repairing a car isn’t as straightforward as we would like it to be. Your mechanic may find another hidden issue they didn’t notice during the estimation process. How they handle these unexpected expenses and additional repairs is critical to knowing whether they’re a trustworthy mechanic or not.
Rather than simply tacking on the additional charges, your mechanic should call you to inform you of the issue. This way, you aren’t surprised at a higher bill when you pick the car up.
4. Can The Repairs Wait Until Later?
Not all of the repairs that you need could possibly wait until a later date. If you’re strapped for cash and need some more time, ask your mechanic if any of the repairs can wait.
5. How Long Will The Repairs Take?
Mechanics can get pretty busy, especially if they provide great services and have a lot of customers. Being stuck without your car can be expensive, especially if you’re using a rental in the meantime, and frustrating.
Ask the mechanic for an estimation of how long the repairs will take and if they foresee any delays. This is important for building trust with the mechanic and helping you plan your life around when you will get your car back.
6. What Exactly Needs To Be Done?
Lastly, get a description of what exactly the mechanic needs to do to your car. What repairs must be made? What issues are the damages causing? When you know exactly what your car needs, it will help you understand the estimated cost breakdown and the work your mechanic will be doing.
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