Everyone wants to save money on their car, but it can be one of the most expensive yet necessary purchases. One way to reduce car costs is to find a mechanic, but more importantly, you need a mechanic you can trust. This should be straightforward, but it isn’t always so simple, so here are five top tips to look out for. 

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTACT THEM EASILY

Struggling to get in touch with a mechanic is a red flag, and it doesn’t always mean they are super busy because a professional will happily take time to hear your problems and see what they can do. If you need to get in touch with an auto body shop, look for services with a range of contact information. Of course, you don’t need to bombard them with messages just because they don’t pick up immediately, but you should receive a call-back within 24 hours of your initial inquiry. 

THEY SHOULD OFFER FREE ESTIMATES 

Any decent company will be happy to provide a free estimate before they do any work. This is mutually beneficial, as it gives them the chance to check the vehicle and also allows you to consider whether you can afford it, or if you can find a better deal elsewhere. Make sure you look out for any mechanics who try to sweeten the deal with other offers if you hint at getting a second opinion, as this often means the quoted price is more than what is required. 

THEY SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOME 

Although mechanic garages are busy and sometimes stressful places, someone should still be there to greet you and make you feel welcome if it is a professional environment. You may need to wait a while if the mechanics are seeing other customers or working on a project, but there should be at least one person who will tell you where to wait and ask you what you are there for. 

YOU SHOULD BE OFFERED A SERVICE PLAN

A good and trustworthy mechanic will never try to include other repairs on the vehicle without first consulting you. You have likely seen other mechanics who tell you they found other issues, fixed them, and included them on the bill, but this is never a good sign. Make sure you get a vehicle service contract that highlights what work needs to be done as this is all you should pay for. 

THEY SHOULD BE WELL-REVIEWED

Google and other search engines have made it easier to identify high-quality services, yet even these may not always be so trustworthy. If you know how to spot fake reviews, you can separate the good companies from the bad ones and find a reliable mechanic. You can also go by word of mouth, so ask friends and family members who they go to when they have car trouble. 

TRUST

When it comes to your car, you need someone you can trust to repair it. However, too many mechanics might assume you don’t know what you need and will be happy to take advantage of you. Remember these tips, and you’ll find a reliable and professional mechanic. 

Photo Credit: Kenny Eliason