YOUR MONEY Fix Your Car Without BY DANIELLE BRAFF D


o you have a go-to car mechanic that you trust? If you answered no,


you’re not alone. A recent


survey by the American Automobile Association found that two out of three people don’t trust auto repair shops for fear of overcharges, recommendations of unnecessary services, and concerns that the work won’t be done correctly. Thankfully, there are in fact many


honest mechanics and well-run shops out there — you just need to know how to separate the good from the bad. Here’s how.


DEAL WITH DEALER? The first thing to understand is the difference between independent shops and car dealerships. Dealerships typically charge $400


to $500 per hour, while independent shops average $100 to $200 per hour, says Orville Wright, an emergency vehicle technician in Frederick, Maryland. Wright suggests going to an


independent mechanic when you need minor or common maintenance jobs, such as an oil change or tire rotation. However, if you need something


major, dealerships may be the place to go because they have the diagnostic tools for manufacturers, whereas independent mechanics may not. If you’re venturing outside the


dealer realm, follow these tips to narrow down your choices.


1


ASK FOR CERTIFICATIONS When talking to potential


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Crashing Your Finances 9 tips for finding an honest repair shop. ::


mechanics, inquire if they have an automotive service excellence (ASE) certification. ASE is a nonprofit, independent


organization that provides voluntary testing and mechanic certifications. Since the auto repair industry doesn’t have licensing standards, ASE standards are the closest you can get to ensuring your mechanic is properly trained. Also ask if it’s an AAA-approved


repair shop. “The qualifications to join AAA’s program are very high and require the shop to have 90% positive Google reviews in the last 12 months,” says Colleen Chassie, digital marketing manager for VIP Tires and Service in Auburn, Maine. In addition, it requires that shop mechanics hold eight different ASE certifications.


2 3


REVIEW THE REVIEWS Always look through the last 12


months of the mechanic or company’s online reviews through online sources such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook. You’ll be able to tell from the opinions and experiences of other customers if they felt the mechanic was honest, genuine, reliable, and transparent.


CHECK WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU


As you can imagine, vehicle repair shop complaints run rampant at the Better Business Bureau, ranking 12th on their list of common business-related gripes. As you research, be sure to go to bbb. org to see if the mechanic you’re considering has any complaints filed.


One or two bad complaints


shouldn’t be the deciding factor if the shop otherwise has stellar ratings and reviews, but you can at


least try and determine if the negatives are an outlier or a warning sign.


4


ASK ABOUT PRODUCTS AND WARRANTIES


Chassie says her company doesn’t install used auto parts or customer- supplied parts, as they may not always be the safest option. Her shop has a partnership with


O’Reilly Auto Parts, which provides lifetime and limited-lifetime warranties on all parts installed by their technicians. “Your honest mechanic should be willing to stand behind the parts they are installing and the work they’re performing to keep the customer’s safety as their top priority,” Chassie says.


5


SCHEDULE A SMALL REPAIR FIRST


Finding a good mechanic is a process that should begin well before your car suffers a major breakdown. Before turning your vehicle over for


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