Sometimes there’s just no way around it, you need to get some repair work done on your car. General wear and tear damage can lead to more significant problems so it’s often best to nip them in the bud where possible. No matter how important the repair work is, it’s always best that you take your car to a mechanic that you trust.
The question is, how do you know if you can trust a mechanic if you’ve never had to visit a centre for that make of vehicle, such as a Volkswagen service centre, and how do you know that you’re getting the best price? It really is a case of not knowing until you give it a try sometimes, but there are a number of measures you can take to ensure that you’re going to the best people for the job.
One such measure is to speak to trusted friends and family members who may have visited that mechanic previously and find out about their experiences, or you can take to the Internet and try and find some reviews to see how other people got on. You’ll need to find out about the quality of the workmanship, the level of service received and also about the value for money because you certainly don’t want an over-the-top price and sub-standard work.
As you may be without a car for a period of time, whether it’s a matter of hours or a couple of days, it’s worth finding out where the repair or service centre is in relation to your home or work. You may need to arrange alternative transport during that time through family, friends or colleagues and you will also have to get back to the centre to collect the vehicle.
You should also speak to the mechanics rather than a receptionist to get the full detail on the work required and what has been done. A good quality mechanic will explain in detail – but in language you can understand – what needs doing, how long it will take and what was done; and they will also listen to you and your concerns over the job and what you would like doing. For instance, if you only want or can afford a routine service, don’t let them convince you to have further work done that you neither need nor can afford.
Finally, make sure you get a number of quotes and that they all include the cost of labour. Many initial quotes will only include the cost of the parts required to complete the work that can be misleading as you can budget for that price only to have more slapped on top that you might not have been expecting. Also, compare your quoted price with another centre to find out if you’re getting the best deal going – you don’t want to be paying any more than is necessary.