How To Avoid Being Ripped Off With Car Repairs

Everyone hears horror stories about people getting ripped off with high priced car repairs. There are other stories about people having to take their cars back and forth to a car dealership after they have a simple repair. When you need car repairs you want a competent auto mechanic and a car repair center that will do the job right the first time.

There are many things to consider when you need auto repair. Sometimes you have the time to shop around for auto repair estimates and at other times you need a repair done quickly.

Choices For Auto Repair
Most people use one of three ways to get their automotive car repairs:

Dealers -- they are best when you have something that is under warranty and that they will replace free of charge. They are also the best place when you have something complicated like an electrical matter or something with the chassis. On regular maintenance or general auto repair there are better options so it is best to check around.

Chain Auto Repair Center-- many chain car repair services are a good choice for specific maintenance issues. Services like brakes, mufflers, tires or oil changes are faster at chain auto service centers. If you use a chain make sure it is one that does the type of car repair service you need. These specialty automotive mechanics do the specific job quickly but this doesn't mean that they can do all care repairs, well.

Independent mechanics -- many people swear by independent automotive mechanics because they say they receive the best deals for the money. Many independents are people who used to work for chains or dealers and they are certified mechanics. Some may have mobile services where they come to your house to make the repairs and others will do routine maintenance at your home then take the car to their own auto repair garage to make more complicated repairs.

The good thing to know is that there are some very reputable auto mechanics in any of these situations who do general auto repair well. There are also many automotive mechanics that make their living by ripping off the public. They know that some people are more vulnerable than others and if you do not know your specific need for auto repairs, they can make your life more difficult.

Beware of Automotive Car Repair Scams
There are several small scams that some auto mechanics have performed where the consumer has no knowledge of what is happening. Sometimes simple things are done like someone looks under your hood and tells you that you have an oil leak. What has really happened is that they spilled a little oil where you can see it and caused a little smoke. Auto mechanics have been known to leave a hose just a little askew and when you drive down the road your car starts to boil over giving you the impression that a hose has collapsed. They tell you that you need a new hose when in reality you just needed them to secure the old hose a little tighter. You have to pay for these auto repairs and you don't have any recourse because you assume they told the truth.

Check The Certification Of Your Automotive Mechanic
When you first go to any of the car repair centers it is a good idea to get a car repair quote before you do anything. Do not commit to the very first car repair shop you go to because you will want to get at least three more auto repair estimates. At the same time you need to check to see if the mechanics are certified to do certified auto repair.

You will find that most shops display a sticker that their mechanics are ASE certified. This is a standard given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence that has specific requirements that an auto mechanic must pass before receiving this designation. The reality is that many car repair shops hire both certified and uncertified auto mechanics. This means that there is no guarantee which person will work on your car and whether the job will be done well.

The best way to confront this issue is to ask which automotive mechanic will be working on your car and which certifications they hold. The ASE has eight specialties but only about 34% of certified mechanics are certified in all eight areas. It is the right of the consumer to ask for the individual automotive mechanic's credentials and check when their certification expires. All ASE auto mechanics have to be recertified ever five years.

Check the Better Business Bureau
It is a good idea to check the BBB to see if any complaints have been made against the auto repair shop or its mechanics. Other consumer offices that you might want to check with are the attorneys general office, the district attorney, the motor vehicles department or the state department of consumer affairs.

You may wonder why it would be a good idea to contact all of these agencies. These offices have reports on problems with any automotive repair center or their auto mechanics. Also, these would be the places where you would file a complaint if you become unhappy with your auto mechanic.

If you have checked your auto repair shop with these agencies and there are no complaints, you can be reasonably sure that your car will be safe being taken to one of them. Still, keep an eye on your repairs. Tell the mechanic to save the parts that he takes out of your car so that you can see what has been done.

It is important for you to do your research before you take the care in so you will know exactly what should happen to your car. This action will make sure that the auto repairs that are done fit what was wrong with the car and that you will be happy with the job.

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