There’s absolutely no denying that automobiles have become necessary in today’s modern world. With so many motor vehicles on the roads, one may presume that finding a car service shop should not be a big deal. But, unfortunately, that’s where you are wrong. Yes, finding a car repair shop is easy but finding a quality auto repair shop is not. Instead of providing quality services, most car repair shops only focus on increasing their profits by overcharging the customers.
So the big question is, how do you choose the best auto repair shop for your vehicle?
There are several factors that come into play, including service rates, experience, customer service, and convenience. So, if you are looking for a quality car service in Raleigh, NC, the following tips mentioned below will help you choose the best auto repair service providers for all your automobile needs.
Word of Mouth:
It is advised to look for a car mechanic when you don’t need one. That’s because when you need one, you are already in panic mode and won’t be able to make the right choice. Also, picking a random name from the phone directory or internet is not the right way to test their competence. Instead, a better thing to do would be to ask around. Consulting your neighbors, coworkers, or family members that often take their car for repairs may be able to recommend a decent car care service shop in Raleigh, NC, that they have recently used and found to be satisfactory and affordable.
Go Local:
By choosing a local auto repair shop near me, you can save money as it will enable you to discuss with your car mechanic face-to-face. This is because most people feel more comfortable talking about the problems they are experiencing with their vehicle in person rather than on the phone.
Also, if you are not satisfied with the work done on your car, you can always go back and ask them to fix it.
Checking Online for Reviews:
In today’s hi-tech world, expressing one’s satisfaction or displeasure about any product or service is only a few clicks away. All you need to do is search for reviews on the internet about local auto repair shops in Raleigh. By doing this, you will know more about the quality of services offered by each shop. However, not all customer testimonials are factual or genuine; many online review sites like Google reviews can provide you with unbiased and honest information.
You should remember to avoid focusing on just one or two reviews when choosing an auto service provider. Instead, read as many testimonials as possible and get a general idea of the reliability, dependability, overall quality of work, customer service, and pricing of the auto repair shop that you are about to hire.
Compare Warranties:
Price isn’t everything when it comes to comparing auto repair shops. You will need to do some detective work to find the best overall value for you. Will your shop stand behind their work?
Parts only warranties: These warranties cover how long you can be compensated if the part fails. However, you would still need to pay the labor fee to take out the broken part and replace it with a new one. This type of warranty is the most limited and does not offer much protection.
Parts and labor warranties: This type of warranty covers replacement parts and the labor to take out the broken part to replace it. Auto repair shops with this type of warranty show that they stand behind their work and the parts they use. A typical shop will use a 24 month or 24,000-mile warranty. Shops with a warranty more limited than this should be looked at more closely, while shops with a significantly longer warranty allow you to enjoy greater peace of mind.
Customer Service:
There’s no denying that customer service is a significant factor that affects a customer’s decision to return to a specific auto repair shop. Taking a note of their customer service on how they deal with the customers and the time it takes to complete a repair will help you decide whether they’re worth your time and money.
Remember, not all auto repair shops are the same, and there’s ample possibility that you might land up in a shop that doesn’t value your time money, or has an incompetent car mechanic. Therefore, it is also always advisable to keep an eye out for such pointers when interviewing them.
Certified Technicians:
With the growing complexity of vehicles on the road today, it’s more important than ever to make sure you trust the mechanic working on your car. With over 250,000 ASE-certified technicians in the US, The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence has grown to be the largest and most trusted certifier of auto repair technicians.
Repair technicians should have years of experience and pass an ASE test to be certified. The highest level, a Master Automobile technician, must maintain eight current certifications to achieve that designation. These master certifications include engine repair, automatic transmission, manual drivetrain & axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical systems, heating & air conditioning, and engine performance.
Look for the blue ASE seal that shows a shop has certified professional technicians working for them.
Experience:
Over time, car models have become more complex. With advanced engines and motor parts, it’s now highly essential to find the right car repair shop with experience dealing with such automotive issues with advanced engines and motor parts. It will be foolish to leave the task of servicing your car to a person who is new to the job and lacks the essential skills.
So, don’t forget to ask about the overall experience of your potential car mechanic and what kind of training and education they have gone through.
Trust your Instinct:
Last but not least, trust your instinct when choosing a car mechanic. That’s because you can’t remain oblivious to the fact that there are many shady shops out there that will only take advantage of your ignorance and money. Therefore, no matter what you do, never agree to work on your car if you have any doubts.
Conclusion
Keeping these points in mind can help you hire the best auto mechanic shop for your car. Of course, these recommendations are just the starting point of finding a good mechanic, but if you follow them, it will increase your chances of finding an honest and reliable one by several folds.
