Choosing a new car mechanic is not an easy task. That’s why, I know that many people will go back to an existing mechanic that they trust even after having moved to another part of town. Some of us have been burned by a new mechanic that we fear anyone else.
I’ve been in the same situation before. Since getting my own car years ago, I did what most people would have done. Use the mechanic my dad use. That is until the mechanic relocated to another part of town and later gone MIA. I, on the other hand also moved and driving across town is not practical considering the time and expense it takes. Not to mention if the car is in need of immediate attention.
While what you read below is not a scientific way by far, here’s what I did and perhaps you can learn some tips about choosing a new mechanic. Buckle your seat belts, here we go.
1. Get a recommendation
Ask a friend or your neighbor which mechanic he or she uses. Off course take note of whether your neighbor’s car is in tip top condition or not. If he doesn’t bother with his car, then ask someone else. People around your area might have the same problem too in the past and they would probably tell you which mechanics to avoid even they can’t recommend you a good one.
2. Start Small
Start small. Don’t wait for major repairs to try out a new mechanic. Yes, when you hear strange noises and your engine behaving erratically, is NOT the time to find a new mechanic. You’ll never know if the problem is that bad or the mechanic just saw a new credit card walked into his shop.
Try out the simple oil change first and observe how the shop handle your car and other cars there. Is the owner calm and collected or is he frustrated with his junior mechanics? This will give you a hint.
I hope that this is not the first time seeing someone changing the engine oil of your car? If you are a brand new car owner, please bring someone along. Open your eyes and OBSERVE what they do so that you have an idea what is happening.
From the simple lube service, check the rates they charge. Is it way too high? Do they recommend all sorts of other services or additive to buy or change? If so, politely say no or say you’ll do it the next time. I’ve experience shops that suggest all sorts of modification to from air filters to stronger distributors to fix a slightly mistuned engine in the past.
Having said that, there are time this is not possible. For example when your car breaks down unexpectedly. Should you tow it back to your mechanic or try to have it fixed. I can’t say but it depends on situation and how far out are you from home.
3. Organized or Mess
Look at the shop, it is clean, well equipped and well organized. I made this mistake once. It was a new mechanic I wanted to try out. The first thing I saw was a 4×4 they were servicing. Parts of the rear suspension including bolts and screws were on the floor! Imagine if someone kicked a few nut and bolts and that might be impossible to find.
I should have driven to another shop but I didn’t. The car was slightly over heating so we went for a test drive and the mechanic crashed my car into another car. I’ve been on test drive with other mechanics but the way he drove was just reckless. Long story short, my car ended up in the shop for a week and I never went back after that.
After this experience, I tried another mechanic. This guy was a few doors down from the one who crashed my car. His shop is better arranged, there were quite a few cars waiting to be serviced. This mechanic took time to ask what’s needed, looked at the mileage and asked if there is any trouble that needed his attention besides the normal lube service. Needless to say, over time, this guy is now my regular mechanic and has been for years now.
4. How is business
A mechanic that has customers is a good mechanic. You might not be able to tell if someone is good, but collectively, having repeat customers means that other people think the guy is good. So, over time, a mechanic should build up a clientele that keeps coming back.
5. Is that a Ferrari there?
Another way to determine whether the mechanic is skilled and reasonable is to see the types of car they service. If you see some higher end cars being serviced there, then you’ll know that the mechanic knows his stuff and that higher end clientele trust their cars with him. He is confident enough to handle not just certain makes but a wider variety of cars.
I’m sure he doesn’t service a Ferrari but having some continental cars like BMW’s and Mercedes which needs special care do give an idea of the mechanic’s skill. Now, some mechanics specialized in certain makes eg BMW. Again, take a look at car forums in your area to see who are the specialist. Other car owners can give you great tips on the good mechanics.
There you have it. 5 tips to help you choose your next mechanic.