There are many reasons you might be searching for a new repair provider for your car, truck or SUV. You might have moved to a new area, gotten a new car or become unhappy with your current shop. Here are some helpful tips on what to look for when you need to find a new place to get your trusty steed repaired.
- NEW CAR WARRANTY: Did you know that if you have a newer car that is under warranty you DON’T have to go to the dealership? Most repair shops are able to do maintenance and repairs on your vehicle without affecting your warranty. Smaller, independent shops tend to be able to give you more personalized service than some of the dealerships who run hundreds of cars through their facility each day.
- CERTIFICATIONS: Look for shops that employ ASE Certified Technicians. These technicians have proven their dedication to the industry by passing certification tests demonstrating they have the training and knowledge necessary to repair your vehicle. You will also want to look for a shop that has professional associations or certifications. A AAA approved repair facility has to meet some of the toughest standards in the industry. Other affiliations include NAPA Auto Care Centers, Tech-Net shops and more. You can also check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating on a business to see if they have any complaints and how they have and how they have handled them.
- WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE THINK? While online reviews tend to me more negative, this can always be a good resource. Less people post positive reviews so you sometimes have to sift through the reviews to get a feel for the shop. The best thing is to ask your friends and neighbors who they use and who they trust.
- TRY THEM OUT: If you still aren’t sure or can’t get a personal referral, try a shop out for something simple like an oil change. See how they treat you, how they interact, the cleanliness of the shop and the overall experience. So much of the relationship between the shop and customer has to do with trust. You want to feel like they are treating you right.
One thing to keep in mind is that the better shops will usually do a much more thorough inspection than a quick lube or national chain shop. This will sometimes result in a list of items that are due for service that you weren’t expecting. This isn’t the shop trying to pull the wool over your eyes but is rather that the shop took the time to do a quality inspection. Good shops should also help you prioritize recommended repairs into needs, recommendations based off of an inspection and those maintenance items that are based off of your vehicle’s mileage.
Selecting a new repair shop can be scarier than a haunted house on a stormy night. Our goal here at Addison Auto Repair and Body Shop is to treat you with respect and be by your side as we help you navigate your way through the repair process and help you to keep your vehicle dependable and on the road while exceeding your expectations.
