How to Choose an Auto Repair Shop

What should you look for when selecting an auto repair shop?

The best advice is ALWAYS ask for recommendations from friends, relatives, family, and other people you trust. Fellow employee's and workmates are a good place to start. Best if you locate a reputable auto repair shop before you actually need one.

This way you avoid being rushed into a last-minute decision.

Shop around by using the telephone or Internet for the best deal, and then compare warranty policies on your repairs that need doing.

Inquire to see their licenses and note if they're current or not. If there's state or local law which requires auto repair shops to be licensed or registered.

A good idea is to make contact with your state Attorney General's office or local consumer protection agency and see whether there's a record of complaints about a particular auto repair shop.

Above all, make sure the auto shop will honor your vehicle's warranty.

IMPORTANT AREAS TO CONSIDER

* Become familiar with your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's suggested service schedule.

* It's a good idea to shop around for an auto repair shop before you actually need one; it will help when making decisions because you're not in rush or in a panic.

* It's always best to seek recommendations from friends and associates. The old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still the best advice you can count on.

* Look for a tidy, well-organized auto repair shop, with cars in their parking lot of similar age and value as your own.

* All shop policies including labor costs, guarantees, methods of payment, etc., should be in open view to the public.

* Find out if the auto repair shop you're considering using usually does your type of repair, especially if you need major mechanical work.

* Are they a professional shop with a clean customer service area.

* Do they display any civic and community service awards, long-term membership in the Better Business Bureau, AAA-Approved Auto Repair status, customer service awards. etc.

Put in a bit of leg work and research and it will reward you both now and with any future servicing and repair jobs you may to get done.

For free auto repair tutorials on how to diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and fix car problems, please visit the authors website at www.autorepairtips.org