Having your car break down is not a thrilling experience but being unsure of where to take your car to get it repaired can be worse. Most folks have a regular doctor, dentist, vet, accountant, etc. and usually we have researched and picked them in advance just in case we get sick or need advice…so why don’t most folks have a reliable auto repair shop to go to? Automobiles are complicated systems , just like the human body… so it is vital to take your car in to an auto repair facility that you can rely on for regular maintenance.
I‘m an eternal optimist and like to assume that car repair shops are honest and that most mechanics generally try to help you by recommending services that will keep your car running smoothly and ultimately saving you time and stress by avoiding some major repairs. Again, just like the human body, your car will perform better in the long run if you take better care of it in the short run.
I’ve put together a list of 6 tips that will help you find someone that you can trust to keep your car in good running order.
1. Look For a Mechanic That Is ASE Certified. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence. Being ASE certified is just about important as having the letters “MD.” after your doctor’s name. Now don’t get me wrong, there are decent mechanics who aren’t ASE certified, but generally it’s too risky unless they have been referred by someone you trust. Other important industry designations to look for are NAPA Auto Care and AAA.
2. Get Referrals from Friends or Family. Word of mouth recommendations are generally very good.
3. Compare features and benefits of a shop. Just because a facility may charge a little more than others, might mean that they offer a longer warranty period, free emergency towing, courtesy shuttle service, or extended hours for convenience. Price is not always the best method of decision making.
4. Find Out the Details of Their Warranty. Most car repair shops offer an in house 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on parts and labor. It is important that you understand exactly what it covers and what it doesn’t cover. Don’t be afraid of asking questions, a reputable facility should have nothing to hide. Top repair facilities will have a nationwide warranty and an in house warranty that will cover more than just the 12 months/12,000 miles.
5. Most Good Mechanics Keep Their Work Area Organized And Clean. Their work area, tools, floor, etc should be reasonably clean. Now remember that the auto repair business is not generally a super clean industry, but it still should be picked up and organized.
6. Research your Prospective Auto Repair Mechanic. You may find out that they have awards for years of customer satisfaction or multiples of customer complaints through the local Better Business Bureau. A short set of searches online will help you to find out quickly what positive and negatives your local auto repair mechanic is known for.
Doing your research ahead of time will help make sure that when you need a reliable auto repair facility , you won’t be taken advantage of. Finding a good mechanic can be difficult , but it is very important. A trustworthy mechanic will go out of his or her way to make sure you and your car are being well cared for. A little research on your part now will give you peace of mind down the road.
For your San Diego Auto Repair needs, there is one shop that stands heads above the rest and where every customer is a member of our family. John’s Automotive Care is an ASE, NAPA Auto Care and AAA authorized auto repair shop John’s Automotive Care is an AAA Top Shop Award recipient. We don’t want to just meet your car repair needs, we want to exceed them. For more information about our services and to see how we can help you with your San Diego auto repair needs, please visit our website at
