Saturday, April 7, 2012

How to Choose the Best Auto Repair Shop

Dan Anders, the manager at AAMCO in Fresno, understands that most people want a mechanic they can trust and who comes highly recommended. There are too many horror stories of people that have been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous mechanic. In this article, Anders shares his views on how to avoid a bad mechanic and keep your car running in top shape.

If you?re looking for a trustworthy Fresno auto repair shop, ask your friends for recommendations. Word of mouth can be an easy way to find a qualified facility. To avoid a hasty decision, line up an auto mechanic before you need one. Allowing your car to be towed to a location close to where you broke down may not be a wise decision. Check with people who own the same type of car. For example, someone with experience working on imported sports cars might not be the best mechanic if you own an American mini-van.

When you find a potential Fresno auto repair shop, take notice:

1. Is the shop organized and neat? Repair work is intricate in nature and a disorganized shop might reveal a level of detail that is missing.

2. View the certifications on the mechanic?s walls. These certificates should be up-to-date. Some important associations include: American Automobile Association (AAA), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

3. Make sure labor rates, fees for testing and diagnostic work, guarantees, and methods of payment are posted.

4. What type of guarantee do they offer? Does the warranty cover parts and labor? It?s important to get both.

Always get a written estimate before beginning any repairs. This estimate should explain the problem, necessary parts, and anticipated labor fees. Make sure the Fresno auto repair shop contacts you for approval first if the scope of work changes or the time and costs change. Have them fax over any changes in the existing contract to avoid confusion. Also, understand how they came up with the final cost. Is this a flat rate or actual hours worked?

By educating yourself and being prepared, you can avoid being taken advantage of by a mechanic. Learn a bit about how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems. Auto repair in Fresno does not have to be difficult. Anders? suggestions will help you choose a mechanic wisely.

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