Comments on: How to Choose a Car Repair Shop

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:49:05 +0000

Heard about something called dentking pro. Is it effective in dent repair?

By: John Lamb

John Lamb — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:15:08 +0000

As a ASE master tech with over 35 years in the business, I would have to agree with the above comments.
1. If the OEM parts were so superior, we would not be replacing them. There are aftermarket companies that make a living designing upgraded parts to replace OEM parts that have exibited a pattern of early failure. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) can often be better, or a better fit, but if this was always true, there would not be so many recall issues in the news.
2. You should get what you pay for, and free diagnostics are generally worth what you paid for them. I have seen many cars that have had hundreds of dollars of parts installed after free diagnostics, and still had the same problem.
3. Watch out of the hidden diagnostic charge. I have seen a growing number of cars that have had 1 hour of diagnostic waived, only to be charged 2 hours to replace a part that takes a half hour to replace; and the problem was still not solved.
I will agree that you should make sure that your mechanic understands the problem in depth. Make sure that you get a thorough explanation, and understand why the part must be replaced. If the shop can and wants to explain it to you, they probably understand the problem, and you can feel more confident in the repair.

By: Randy Lucyk

Randy Lucyk — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:03:46 +0000

I don't have a problem with the free diagnosis. If a service center feels it is an appropriate business model to offer free diagnosis, then thats their decision. The real question is who is responsible for the diagnosis? You suggest that once they have the diagnosis in hand they can shop for the right shop for doing the repair. Is the consumer to assume(and willing to take responsibilty for) the diagnosisis is correct? If they call us for a specific estimate for a specific repair, is that the repair we should perform or are you suggesting that the shop who finally does the repair is also responsible for insuring that the "free" diagnosis is the correct diagnosis? I have no problem performing the repair the consumer is telling us will cure their problem, but what if it doesn't? Should the repairing shop have just "known" that the original shop who did the "free" diagnosis was incorrect (if indeed they were)? If you are going to advise consumers on the ins and outs of auto repair, you really need to give them all the information they need.You indicate that automotive service today can be a complex venture yet you offer a simplistic explanation thaty certainly does not serve your websites visitors well.

By: Sam Newton Jr.

Sam Newton Jr. — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:31:31 +0000

I have to take issue with you about going to a shop for a "free" diagnosis. We will take a look at most cars for "noises" and other small problems for free but when it comes down to a running problem and we have to test components or hook up a scanner and perform tests to "diagnose" a problem we have time and money invested in this. I pay a lot of money for my diagnostic equipment not to mention ongoing training to stay current in the field. I also have "overhead" to deal with. A technician is not going to spend time diagnosing a car for free. Someone has to pay them for their time. You need to understand that this isn't the eighties anymore it takes work to find out what is wrong with a car. We give a 2year 24,000 mile warranty at my facility on our work because we do it right and we don't rip people off. You are right on the money when you say to check with the Better Business Bureau when looking for a shop. Reputable shops are not hard to find, it just takes a little research.

By: Jack Curtin

Jack Curtin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:00:11 +0000

This comment, " And forget about aftermarket parts that are “better than the original.” If they are so good, why aren’t they original equipment?" I do not agree with! Working is the automotive industry for 37 plus years. Being ASE Master Certified in Automobiles, Truck and School Bus, also have been on 3 writing invitation with ASE for writing questions for the tests, I know that the OEM's will cut cost where ever they can. Due to the fact of the number of different OEM choices, they need to stay competitive, therefor cutting cost where ever possible. The state that the auto-makers are in, along with the economy proves this. A car manufacturer could make a vehicle last forever, however, the cost to produce this would be astronomical. Thanks for listening, Jack