Finding the right professionals to fix your vehicle requires knowing your options. Here is everything to know about how to choose auto repair services.
The cost of new vehicles is skyrocketing, with cars costing 6% more in 2022 than they did in 2021. So you’ll want to take good care of your current vehicle so that you don’t have to purchase a replacement. When you choose the right repair service, you can keep your car running like new and help it last longer.
Here’s how to choose auto repair services that will leave your vehicle in top shape.
Understanding Your Car
If you’re not sure what your car needs, consult a mechanic and ask them to inspect your vehicle. When you know which repairs your vehicle requires, you can look for a repair shop that offers those services. If you need a tire alignment, for example, look for a shop that sells tires and provides tire repair services.
Dealerships or Independent Mechanics
If you got your car from a dealership, they may offer free repairs if you bring the vehicle to their service department. If you’re not sure, call the dealership and ask.
However, your vehicle may have unique needs beyond what the dealership can provide. In that case, a shop that specializes in auto repairs might be a better option.
Reviews
Reading online reviews is a great way to find out what you can expect when you bring your car in for an auto repair. When you’re researching mechanics, keep an eye on the comments people leave on sites like Google and Yelp.
Read through at least half of the reviews before making your decision. If there are too many negative reviews, try another repair service.
Reviewers who have had pleasant experiences will often add comments about how long it took for them to get their cars back from being serviced. This information can help you schedule your day more efficiently when you bring your vehicle to the repair shop.
Warranties
Most auto repair shops offer a warranty with their services. It’s important to know what coverage you’re getting and what your warranty doesn’t cover. For example, some auto repair shops will only cover parts that were originally installed by them.
Most repair shops offer warranties for a few months. This means that if something goes wrong with your car because of an error made by the mechanic, they’ll fix it for free.
Auto Repair Experience
A good auto repair service would have been in business for at least 20 years. Experienced mechanics can diagnose problems faster and fix them more quickly.
If an experienced mechanic tries to fix something and it doesn’t work, they will know what else to look for. A seasoned mechanic can find solutions that an inexperienced mechanic wouldn’t think of.
Customer Service
The ultimate goal should be to find a shop that you can trust. Good companies are those that make their salespeople available to customers in person, over the phone, and through email.
Comparing Auto Repair Costs
Look at each shop’s estimate carefully. Ask if there is any additional charge for things like diagnosis or replacement parts. See what taxes are involved and how they affect the price.
Ask if there is a discount for paying in cash. You can also check if the store is running a promotion that may lead to a lower price. Keep in mind that promotional services usually come with stipulations, such as a limited time frame or no warranty.
If you have auto insurance, find out if your provider offers a discount for using a preferred shop. If you have AAA, check that auto repair program for discounts as well.
Repeat customers may also get a better deal than new customers at certain shops.
Services
If you find an auto repair shop that does everything from oil changes to engine rebuilds, you can be confident that the technicians will handle any problem that arises with your car. A shop that specializes in one area, such as brakes or engine work, may not have the necessary tools or expertise to perform other types of repairs.
This way, you don’t have to carry your vehicle to several shops to get everything fixed. A multi-service auto repair shop also has more technicians on staff, which means you can get the repairs done faster.
High-Quality Equipment
The quality of the equipment used by a mechanic can affect safety. For example, if they use poor-quality tools, it can cause harm to your car’s engine or other parts.
Look for a store that replaces car parts with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. These parts are made by the same company that produced the original components of your vehicle, so they’re guaranteed to fit correctly and work well.
High-quality equipment also helps avoid future repairs because they last longer than low-quality products do.
If the repair shop doesn’t use OEM pieces, that doesn’t mean that they’re using poor-quality parts. You can ask where the parts came from so you can research them online.
Guarantee
When you choose a car repair service, it’s important to find out if they offer any kind of guarantee on the work they do. A guarantee is proof that the company stands by its services. A guarantee might include a promise that the work is of high quality or you’ll get your money back.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be satisfied with the result. You may still want to check out reviews from other customers before you make your final decision.
Choose Auto Repair Services in New Hampshire
Before you choose auto repair services, make sure they have an excellent reputation and use high-quality equipment. They should also provide you with a quote so you can plan accordingly. You may also want to ask for references and check out online reviews from other customers.
Above all, the company should have experience repairing vehicles like yours. Extra Care Auto Repair in New Hampshire is a full-service auto repair shop that can handle all types of vehicles. Call us today if you’re looking for a repair in Hooksett, Berlin, or Manchester.