What to Look For in an Auto Repair Shop

If your car needs repairs, you want to ensure they’ll be done right. Whether you only need routine maintenance or something a bit more specialized, a lot can go wrong in the repair process if your mechanic doesn’t know what they’re doing. With that in mind, you might be worried about finding a reliable auto repair shop. It can be a stressful process – and we’re here to make sure your search for a car repair shop goes as smoothly as possible. So, what should you look for in your next auto shop? Here we’ll talk about a few things to consider while you make your decision.

Certifications

First and foremost, make sure the auto repair shop you’re considering is certified by the ASE – the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This certification means that the shop’s auto technicians have passed thorough testing and are very capable mechanics. The ASE also requires that technicians pass their tests every five years to keep their certification. Also, before a technician can even take these tests, they need two years of on-the-job training or one year with a degree in auto repair. Checking for this certification is a quick way to ensure that the shop has the credentials to back up its claims. You can count on professional service from certified shops.

Insurance

It’s very important to make sure your chosen shop is insured so that you aren’t liable for any damage that might happen to your vehicle during the repair process. This protects you from covering the cost of bad car repair jobs. If you aren’t sure, you can ask the technicians if the business is insured. If they aren’t, it’s a good idea to look elsewhere. You don’t want to risk having a costly repair job because you weren’t careful enough when picking out the shop.

Specializations

Some auto repair centers are specialized in certain kinds of vehicles. You might be able to track down a shop that deals specifically with your car’s make! This is a good sign that they’ll be able to repair your vehicle quickly, efficiently, and correctly. If they’re specialized in a specific make of car, you can rest assured that you’ll get quality service.

Warranties

It’s important to make sure your chosen repair shop offers a warranty on the work it’s done. This means that, if something they worked on or repaired malfunctions in a certain span of time, they’ll fix the problem for free. Not only does this give you peace of mind, it means you’ve found a reliable repair shop that takes pride in its work. Ask about the types of warranties a business offers before you make a decision.

Parts Used

It’s a good idea to ask if a shop uses OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts when they need to replace a component of your car. This means that those parts are made by the same company that made your vehicle, and they adhere to stricter quality standards than aftermarket parts. Using OEM parts is also important for maintaining your vehicle’s warranty. This really depends on the type of vehicle you have as well. A qualified mechanic will be able to answer all your questions about parts, etc.

Pricing

Remember to ask about pricing before any work gets done. This way, you can ask around at multiple auto repair facilities to ensure you’re getting a good price. Make sure you aren’t just settling for the cheapest repairs, though; a cheap job may not be your best bet. Likewise, though, a more expensive estimate doesn’t necessarily guarantee quality work. A good rule of thumb to make sure you get a fair price is to weigh other factors alongside the cost of repairs to make sure your experience is as positive as possible.

Quality Customer Service

When you’re looking for a new auto repair center, you might not immediately think of customer service as a deciding factor – but it’s still a good idea to consider!  It pays to remember the value of friendly, professional service; it can even be a good indicator of a business’s overall quality. If they act unprofessionally when dealing with you, you might not want to trust them with your vehicle.

It’s also vital that they are communicative – you wouldn’t want a repair shop to do anything to your car that you didn’t authorize. Make sure they check with you before doing anything. Not only does this mean you know everything that happens to your car, it protects you from surprise extra charges down the line.

Check Online Reviews

Check customer reviews online. If they have a testimonials section, give it a look. Keep in mind that these reviews can be biased; most people only review a company if they had a very positive or very negative experience. However, they can still be a useful resource for your decision-making process. If the company takes the time to respond to negative reviews, it shows that they care about providing quality work and want to fix any problems that arise.

Word of Mouth

Do you have a friend who just had an automotive repair done? Ask about their experience with the company they chose and why they decided to go with them. Chances are, if you ask someone whose judgment you trust, you can get a good idea of a business’s quality.

Better Business Bureau

Another place to get a good idea of the auto shop’s performance is the Better Business Bureau. The BBB tracks and rates businesses based on several different factors related to their performance and interaction with its customers. If the auto repair shop you’re looking to use is accredited by the BBB, it’s worth checking out!

Call Federal Way Automotive!

Here at Federal Way Automotive, we take great pride in our work. With almost 30 years of satisfied customers and behind us, we know our stuff! Our ASE-certified technicians have worked on thousands of cars. We’re dedicated to providing expert services and making sure your car is repaired correctly – the first time. We’re dedicated to making sure you understand every step of the process. Give us a call or check out our website today!