Five Dos and Don’ts When Dealing with An Auto Mechanic

To every car owner, having a great mechanic can make a world of difference when it comes to the maintenance of their car. Other than just being in charge of taking care of a valuable asset, a mechanic is also directly in charge of your own safety. With that in mind and without further ado, here are the top five dos and don’ts when dealing with an auto mechanic.

Do: Ask to see the old parts and a bill

One of the most common ways in which dishonest mechanics are trying to con you is by not really replacing an old part with a new one but just cleaning/fixing it a bit. This means that they will charge you for acquisition of the part without actually buying one. The simplest way to settle this issue is for you to ask to see the old parts (that they’ve allegedly taken from your car) or see the bill. If they refuse, something might be afoot.

Don’t: get confused by a lot of technical terms

When they’re trying to scam or confuse you, the mechanics will use a lot of technical terms and deliberately make things more complex-sounding than they really are. Watch out for this type of behavior. Also, pay close attention to their non-verbal communication.

Do: Take your car there to the first sign of trouble

According to the veteran mechanic from Gold Coast, by getting your car to a car shop at the first sign of trouble, you stand to save so much money. From the perspective of dealing with an auto mechanic, it gives you a chance to see their work while things are not yet urgent. This will allow you to trust them in more serious situations.

Don’t: Attempt a DIY repair that is outside of your scope

Replacing a tire, rotating a tire, replacing lights, or spark plugs are one thing but attempting a more complex repair is something else entirely. First of all, it means making the job more difficult for the mechanic in the future. It also means risking getting injured in the process and breaking your car more severely.

Do: Shop around

Always look for several offers before taking your car for repair or routine maintenance. New shops are getting registered in your neighborhood every single day. In order to break into the market, they’ll often try to be more competitive with their prices and more diligent while providing services. Shopping around, from time to time, is a good thing and it doesn’t mean that you’re disloyal.

Don’t: Be afraid to change the mechanic

If the mechanic in question keeps letting you down, it is only sensible that you take your car someplace else. Sure, you might have grown accustomed to your mechanic. You have their number and you might even have some sort of a personal relationship due to years of collaboration. However, this is business and if you believe that your car will be treated better elsewhere, just go for it.

Do: Your research beforehand

You need to know what you’re up against. If they want to replace a part, you want to check how much that part costs. You also want to know how much that particular part replacement costs in another shop. Reading your owner’s manual is always a good idea and it is something that you are supposed to do long before you need a mechanic’s assistance.

Don’t: Trust every review you encounter

We can’t stress this one enough – while reviews are important, they’re not always the truth. Even if they are the truth, they’re not always representative of the real situation. Just because someone had a good previous experience, this doesn’t mean that it will be the same in your case. Just because someone had a bad previous experience, it doesn’t mean you’ll suffer the same fate.

Do: Set realistic expectations

Taking a car in a ruinous state and expecting them to do miracles is unrealistic and it will always get you disappointed. Expecting them to call you in 15 minutes and tell you that they’ve solved all of your car’s problems is unrealistic and it will get you disappointed. Not knowing how much a repair is supposed to cost will have the same effect. Always have realistic expectations.

Don’t: Constantly check in on them

If they said that they’ll call you in an hour and they do not respond in two hours, it’s fine to call them and see how things are going. It’s not, however, ok to call them in 20 minutes or to call them the second after the 1-hour-mark expires. Keep in mind that the more you bother them, the less time they have to actually focus on the repair.

Few reminders:

• Make your expectations realistic. –  In terms of auto servicing, take note that cheap, quick and good are mutually exclusive terms. Though your car just needs a quick fix, there may be a number of other cars lined up ahead of yours in the service queue. You also need to inquire on how long the car will be in the shop and how much the service will cost.

• Clean Your Car Before You Drop It Off. – Before you bring your prized possession to the workshop, tidy it up by clearing out the trunk and back seat of items such as golf clubs, strollers, papers, etc. The mechanic may have to eliminate them to access a part or perform a specific repair and they may also weigh down the car and affect its performance.

• Be Available. – Ensure to leave your phone number at the workshop so you can be reached anytime. If there is no way to contact you, the repair will not be approved and your car will remain unattended for longer.

• Don’t Bother the Mechanic. – According to the survey, mechanics don’t like customers hovering over them while they worked. While it’s just right to spend time with your car and the mechanic to explain the issue and see how the repair is done, it can be quite distracting and dangerous. Hence, it’s better to sit in the waiting room and grab a cup of coffee.

In conclusion

The best thing about this list is that it can be applied to dealing with any kind of handyman out there. Some of these tips are also applicable when choosing an electrician, plumber, or even a contractor. When applied properly, these tips can ensure that your car is in much better shape.