IMPORT MOTORS

2009-11-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

How to select a repair facility.

2009-11-30T10:18:00.000-08:00

The articles, cartoons, and jokes about bad repair shops are to many to count. However, there are good automotive repair shops out there. Mechanics who realize that treating the customer honestly and fairly is the only way in which to stay in business for many years.

As in so many things the best source of information is word of mouth referral from a family member or good friend. Yet, there are times when these are not available. So how do you find a good shop? Ask questions, and be observant.
The day of the 'grease monkey' is gone. If the shop does not appear well maintained then better start to wonder about what will be the quality of the work that is done. There are many small repair shops that may not be glitzy, but given their situation are well kept.

When you make an appointment the person helping you should be able to give some idea of what is the problem and the steps needed to resolve it. Please be aware that as designers incorporate more features into the modern automobiles, the complexity in repairing them has grown. It is not always possible to give a cause of a problem by hearing a person imitate the sound the car is making, nor by a vague description. If it is necessary to do some diagnostics, ask if they have the necessary equipment. Understand that this does take time, and in the same manner that any professional will usually charge for any time to determine the problem, so do repair shops. It does take time to place a car on a lift, raise it, drive it, or hook it up to the diagnostic computers. The individual helping you must also give you an estimate of how much it will cost to repair or do the maintenance work on your car. Sometimes, the mechanic discovers once the repairs, or maintenance work has started that additional work needs to be done. The facility must notify you of this and any additional cost, which you must approve before they can be done. If you want any of the old parts the facility must make them available to you, but be certain to request this before the work is done.

At the end of the day when you pick up your automobile someone should be available to answer any questions not only about the bill but also about the work that was done. One very important thing that a shop should do is give you a list, estimate, and priority of any additional repairs that need to be done on your vehicle. Some shops will always tell the customer that every additional repair is urgent when this is not the case. The facility should be able to tell you why a repair is vital and if any can be waited on.

The final thing you should keep in mind is if they people you have spoken with have been honest with you. What a good repair shop strives for is a partnership with the customer by which both sides benefit.

If you have anymore questions as to your rights please check the Bureau of Automotive Repair of Californias' website. This site has your rights when dealing with an automotive repair shop.