Finding the Right Repair Shop for Your Car

Get Social     

Today, you no longer have to rely on unhelpful ads or pure chance to find a good repair shop for your car. One good way to begin your search is by looking for customer reviews of auto repair shops. Sites such as Yelp and Angie's List provide you with a look at the experiences people like you have had with car repair businesses. Typically, you'll find a mix of good and bad reviews; the important things to look for are patterns of repeated issues that indicate a particular business may not be the right one for you and your car.

A Good Word

Nothing beats a positive endorsement from someone you know. Ask your friends and relatives to see if they know of a good place for car service. Personal recommendations are especially helpful if they come from someone who has the same model or a similar model of car as you do.

Specialize

If you own a high-quality vehicle or are just particular about who works on it, look for service shops that specialize in particular makes of automobile. Places such as these usually make sure their mechanics have the latest information and training to take proper care of your vehicle. Going to a specific automobile brand dealership is also an option, although dealerships usually charge premium rates for their service work.

Certify It

Reputable car repair places are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence to ensure their customers' peace of mind. This lets you know you're dealing with a business that prides itself on excellence and integrity. These businesses display the blue ASE Certified logo prominently in the actual shop, in their advertising, and on their website.

Start Small

Don't wait for your car to need major service before trying to locate a place to take care of it. If you do, you'll be rushed because you need your car back soon, and you won't have the time to vet the service business properly. Do your research early, choose a place that's right for your car, then give the business a tryout by taking your car there for routine maintenance such as oil changes. This will give you a good picture of what you can expect; it will also let you develop a good relationship with the business so you'll feel confident about trusting them when something big does go wrong with your car.

What to Avoid

You know what to look for. That's good; now, here are a few things that should send up warning signals. Make sure the repair shop has the proper equipment for the job. Cars today are too sophisticated for the old-fashioned repairman with a wrench to try to puzzle out what's wrong with your vehicle. Watch out for repair shops that try to scare you into making repairs, and get a second opinion on any recommended repair that makes you feel uncertain. Instruct the repair shop to contact you with the repairs they want to make before they begin work, and never sign a blank form authorizing work on your car. Insist on name-brand parts, and ask to see the box. Look at the workspace to see if it's kept clean and looks professional; a good repair shop won't have piles of junk or dirty rags lying around.

Having your car serviced or repaired can be a trying experience. But with the right research and the knowledge that you've found a reputable business providing domestic auto services in Decatur, you can breathe easier and get your car back on the road quickly and happily.

Source : articlesbase.com