Foreign Car Repairs

The term “foreign car” is a much misused one. Just because a car is not made by one of Detroit’s big three, it does not mean it is a foreign car. Japanese and Korean cars made in factories here in America are not really foreign cars. Foreign cars are those which are manufactured abroad and imported into this country. Getting these cars repaired requires special care on the part of the car owner. The reason for this is foreign car repair shops depend on parts coming from overseas sources and use bases of expertise that are not local but comes from another country. Finding local car repair facilities with motor mechanics familiar with the unique requirements for import car repairs can be time consuming and difficult.
But it’s not impossible. There are millions of foreign car owners in the country who use and maintain their cars with no major problems. What is important is to know what to look for when finding a foreign car repair shop that will provide both the expertise and the right spare parts.
The first thing you need to do is look for proper certification. Of course, that is desirable even for American cars, but with generations of experience in the repair of American cars, even non certified repair shops can usually handle most commonplace repairs fairly adequately. This is because all American cars are built using the same concepts and design features, meant to cater for the domestic market. Foreign cars, and here we are talking mainly of European cars, are on the other hand, built to European requirements and markets. Many have engines and electrical systems that are completely different from American cars. To understand and repair these requires specialized training in foreign auto repair services. Even the best car mechanic, who is an expert on American cars; may through a lack of familiarity with foreign technology and design concepts, do more harm than good when it comes to foreign auto repair.
The first thing you need to do when looking for a car repair shop for your foreign car is to know the reputation it has. If you can get a reference from someone who has the same make car as you, that’s great. If not, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see how the car repair shop is rated. Also ask if the auto repair shop can give you some testimonials. If they have nothing in writing, ask for the contact details of some of their customers whom you can contact. Auto repair shops that are unwilling to provide this information may have something to hide!
Contact some local car clubs and ask for references. You will often find either region specific clubs – German or British car owners for example, or make specific clubs – Fiat, Audi and so on. Owners will be happy to provide you with car repair information on the car repair services they have used. Since members of these clubs are usually very involved and knowledgeable about the best auto repair services, the inputs they can provide you on car repair shops and spare parts suppliers will be invaluable.
If you can’t find an auto repair shop that is certified for the make you own, the next best thing is to find on that specializes in cars from the country yours is from. It’s better to avoid repair shops that say they are specialized in “foreign car repair” or “European cars.” German and Italian cars are very different in the engineering used in manufacture and a one size fits all approach can leave you with more problems than you started out with.
Getting spare parts for foreign cars is often a problem. The best thing you can do is shop around and when you find a place that sells genuine spare parts, keep a stock of frequently required spares such as belts, hoses, spark plugs, bulbs etc. with you for when you need them.
In many cases even certified auto repair shops will not have some parts in stock and you will be left with the option of either waiting for a long time for the part to become available or to use non original parts that the repair shop has in stock. If you decide to go in for the non original parts, make sure that the shop gives you a long term warranty on the parts they provide. They may be fine, but since they are not original equipment, you need to be sure not only that they will give you good service, but also that any future problems with them will not result in further damage to your car.
Most foreign car manufacturers’ will have details of their American auto repair services on their websites. If there is one near you, that’s always the best way to go. Whether you go to a certified car repair center or a non certified one, make sure that you get a detailed car repair quote, with parts and labor given separately, before you commit to any repairs. Even with certified auto repair shops, ridiculous mark ups on the spare parts prices are not unknown. Compare the estimate with the prices from other car repair shops and look for any huge price differentials. Certified auto repair shops will normally be more expensive because they will have spent on special equipment, on spare parts stock and specialized training for their auto mechanics to meet the manufacturer’s requirements. It’s always better to pay a bit more for the peace of mind you will get from going to these car repair shops for your repairs. But large price variations; especially on labor, is something you need to watch out for.
Be careful of a car repair center that offers to modify mechanical or electrical parts so that the car can use cheaper and more easily available domestically made parts. A car is a holistic piece of engineering with each part made to work is a specific way in concert with others. Modifications of this type will frequently result in damage to other car systems and components.
You bought your foreign car because of the drive, performance, features and style it offers. Just because car repair services may be a little more difficult or expensive does not mean that you should compromise on the repair standards and end up with less of a car than what you want.

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