When is it Time to Visit the Garage?

There are several reasons why you may need to take your car into the garage, and regardless of the situation, it is common to feel anxious and stressed. This may be your first time getting your car professionally looked at or you may have never checked your vehicle yourself before so you definitely don’t know what to expect at this point. However, getting your car professionally looked at doesn’t have to be as hard as people make it to be, and the following paragraphs are basic that will ease your repair shop experience.

Just like shopping for most things, the first thing you need to do is find a reliable auto mechanic, and you can do this in several ways. The best way however is to speak to family members and friends, and ask them for their recommendations. If they aren’t available, and you have to do the research yourself, then look for repair shops that have a solid reputation. You can do this by reading user reviews or even testimonials on their official website.

People love to share their experiences, both positive and negative, and by reading these feedbacks, you will get a good idea of what to expect and the quality of service provided by that specific garage. There may be just one thing wrong with your car or several so it is best to list the problems before you go in. This will ensure that you haven’t missed anything once you’re at the garage, and hence save you extra trips to the shop. Even if the damage is your fault, it must be listed and keep in mind that you’re paying for these services so there is no good guy, bad guy.

When you get the garage, inform the mechanic about your problem (s), and any type of warranties and insurance you may have. Chances are that may be affiliated with your insurance or warranty company, and may be able to do all the legwork and get you the appropriate discounts. If you fail to reveal all the pertaining information to the mechanic, they may not be able to diagnose the problem or diagnose it incorrectly. This again will cost you extra trips to the garage and more money to fix what could be now a bigger problem than it was to begin with.

A good mechanic will need a fair amount of time to diagnose the problem and other related components so do not hurry them. After they’ve analyzed the situation, the mechanic will give you a detailed on what’s involved and the cost. This is where it may get trickier. The quote you get may only include the cost of repairs and not the parts involved so it is best to clarify this at this point. Most auto mechanics give you an initial quote for the labor only, and include the cost of parts in the final bill, which is okay.

Finally and most importantly, it is crucial to ask your mechanic before they begin work on your vehicle if the repair work will void the manufacturer’s warranty. This is because there are number of auto makers who try to capitalize on their vehicles even after their sold by having their cars checked and fixed only by their authorized dealerships. When asking questions about warranty, confirm with the car mechanic on any additional warranties they may provide.

Once the work is performed, it is important to thoroughly check it and receive a final bill that lists all the work done, and thee parts used and their cost. Do not the auto repair shop without a receipt. The above tips will help you make your way around an auto repair shop, and help you make uniformed decisions.