Finding good auto repair
Research will save you money down the road
Finding a good automotive service facility is like finding a doctor or financial advisor: building a relationship based on trust is important and will take time. Knowing a car’s history because it’s been worked on before at the same centre can make problems easier to find, and could mean savings on repair work.
To help motorists, automotive service experts offer these tips: • In a larger facility, get to know the service advisor. A service advisor is there to answer questions and can help customers understand the recommendations of the technicians assessing the vehicle. • In a smaller facility, get to know the technician. Get referrals from friends, relatives and business associates. You’ll likely get a better idea from seeking several different opinions rather than relying on the perspective of just one person. • Written estimates should be provided and discussed before going ahead with repair work. When in doubt, take the written estimate somewhere else and get a second opinion. • Meet the people that will be working on the vehicle. Putting a face to the name makes communication and trust easier. • Don’t be afraid to ask the service advisor questions: What sort of training do their technicians receive? How often? Do they have the latest computer and diagnostic equipment? • Check the customer area for information about the facility – most service centres post their rates and billing information. • Go with a facility that stands behind its work: Look for a ‘customer promise’ – it will give you a sense of how they value your business. Know the vehicle By paying attention to your car, car owners can help the automotive service technician. • Every so often, roll down the windows and get to know the sound of your car when it’s healthy so you’ll be able to notice when it requires service. • Reading through the owner’s manual will help you know what to expect in terms of the vehicle’s service needs. • When taking the car in with a problem, drivers should tell the technician what the symptoms are rather than what they think the problem is. They should try to describe what happens when the car is warm, cold, stopping, accelerating and when it’s driven in the city versus on the highway.
– News Canada