We hear an awful lot about lying lawyers, untrustworthy accountants and unscrupulous insurance salesmen. But one of the most mistrusted professions out there is the auto mechanic.
According to a recent survey, two-thirds of U.S. drivers don't trust auto repair shops. And one-third say they don’t have a mechanic they feel confident taking their car to.
What are their complaints?
- Recommendations for unnecessary services
- Overcharging
- Negative interactions
- And concerns that work won’t be done properly
Be that as it may, no matter how you feel about mechanics, odds are you’re going to need one — and likely at inopportune moments.
Here’s what you can do to find a mechanic you trust:
- Ask family and friends for recommendations. Since so few people trust repair shops, chances are if someone is willing to vouch for one, there’s a good reason.
- Find out how long a shop under consideration has been in business, as this can be a good indicator of their reliability.
- Check into a shop’s consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau, state department of consumer affairs or the attorney general’s office.
- Take your car for a minor job like an oil change or tire rotation and see how they do with that as a test for how they’d handle a major one.
- While you’re there, inspect the shop’s appearance, amenities, technician credentials, and parts and labor warranty.
- Once you’ve made a selection, build a relationship with a technician so they get to know your vehicle and your personal needs.
Car trouble can be highly stressful, so do your homework. Take the initiative to find a mechanic you’re comfortable with before your car has a breakdown — so that you don’t.
