What do you do when your windshield wipers stop working, your brakes no longer help your vehicle come to a stop, or there’s a strange clanking sound emanating from somewhere under the hood? Many opt to fix the problems themselves, but many others turn to the services of an auto repair business.
Although you don't need a crash course in auto mechanics if your car breaks down, you should know how to find a reliable shop and mechanic. Consumers should be on the lookout for such scams as overcharging for repairs, charging for labor that was never performed, and performing shoddy work.
The BBB received a whopping 12,682 complaints against auto repair mechanics in 2010 and 11,000 complaints so far in 2011.
Before turning your vehicle over to an auto repair service:
Get at least three referrals. If you are looking for a qualified mechanic, ask friends, family and coworkers for recommendations. Check the business out with bbb.org to see if there have been any complaints filed. Look for shops that are certified. For major work, such as brakes, transmission or engine repair, look for a shop that employs a specialist.
Ask questions. Don't be embarrassed to request technical definitions. Don't rush the technician into making an on-the-spot diagnosis of the problem. Ask to be called when the problem is found and be notified of the course of action and cost before any work begins.
Get everything in writing. Before authorizing repairs, get a written estimate for parts and labor. Tell the shop to get your permission before making additional repairs. Ensure you receive notification by having the service manager write a request on the bottom of the repair order. Give phone numbers where you can be reached and, before you leave, be sure to understand all shop policies regarding labor rates, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
Do a walkthrough with your mechanic. When you pick up your vehicle, get an explanation of all work completed and get all guarantees in writing. Ask that any major new parts that have been installed be pointed out to you. Your repair bill should be itemized so if a problem occurs later, you can prove the item is covered by the guarantee.
Start With Trust. For trustworthy consumer tips and information, visit wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.