How to Find a Good Mechanic

Finding a good mechanic isn't impossible. (image by learnthat.com)

I’m continually amazed by some of the changes that have taken place in my life. I’m old enough to remember when every gas station was “full-service.” In those days, it wasn’t uncommon to perform most of the basic maintenance and repair tasks on a car yourself, or utilize a family member who was a bit of a grease monkey to perform them. For most of us, those days are long gone, just like full-service gas stations and drive-in movie theaters.

This reference guide is aimed at those who are looking to extend their original investment in an older car that no longer has a warranty, or those who normally purchase used cars without warranties.  These types of cars save their owners money, typically even on their insurance policies.  We want to be able to keep these cars running effectively and cheaply. We also want these cars running safely.  That means finding and using mechanics that are equipped to handle the modern computerized and electronic features all modern cars have.

Before we go further, we’d like to say that if you own a car that is currently under a manufacturer’s warranty, you should be using a dealer for everything except the most basic of maintenance: oil changes, tire rotations, the basic preventative maintenance.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t also use a dealership for those basic preventative issues as well.  Some of them are quite competitive on price, and normally offer amenities such as providing you a way from the dealership once you drop your car off, and a way back when you’re done with work, or whatever you might have been doing while they were servicing your car.

And we’re not simply trying to exclude owners of new or late model used cars that still have warranties – it’s just that they are likely better off taking advantage of that warranty, because if they have an issue, it’s likely a workmanship or materials defect.  It is important that those in this group also know that in most cases, they can obtain warranty service from any franchised dealer, be it where they bought their car, a cross-town competitor of the dealership that sold it to them, or 3,000 miles and an ocean away from home.

Another group this reference isn’t aimed at are the real gear-heads:  the guys and girls with classic and collectible cars.  These sort of automotive enthusiasts have the experience and connections that enable them to know exactly where to go for their automobiles.  Cars have a special meaning for these people.  And in some cases, they actually perform most of their own maintenance.

So, for those of us who are looking for a competent mechanic, just where do we turn?  As with all good things, nothing comes for free.  Just a little time, research and due diligence will likely have you with a great mechanic in no time at all.  Here’s how to proceed:

1) Ask your extended family and friends

In customer service fields, I’ve often heard things like that for every customer you have that had a positive experience, they’ll tell one, two or maybe three others about their experience with your business.  Conversely, for every customer you have that had a negative experience, they’ll tell six, eight, 15 or even 20 or more about the experience they’ve had.  Whether these statistics are accurate or not, you will likely find friends and family members more than willing to share their experiences.

Ask multiple friends and family members as well.  If you’re continually hearing about bad experiences with a specific shop or mechanic, you can know it’s probably safe to cross them off the list of potentials.  Likewise, if you are continually hearing repeated claims of great service from a specific shop or a mechanic, they’re likely worth a look.  Use your judgment to weigh what you hear.  If you receive non-specific, detail-less words that are neither a recommendation nor a condemnation, you may be talking to and asking the wrong person.

2) Pay a visit to your local auto parts stores

The folks at local auto parts stores don’t just serve the public.  They sell plenty of parts to professional mechanics as well.  They’re also usually in the know about reputations of local mechanics and shops as well, since they either deal with them on a near daily basis, and the customers of those shops and mechanics, too.

3) Call the dealership parts counter

Just like the folks at the local auto parts stores, the parts counters at dealerships – the dealership you bought your car from or especially one that is a franchise of the brand of car you drive – often sell original manufacturer equipment (OEM) parts to local mechanics and shops.  You’re likely to get feedback as to how they relate to these local mechanics, and in some cases, you may get recommendations.

4) Visit the Car Talk website

As part of the marketing outreach for their radio program “Car Talk”, National Public Radio runs cartalk.com. One of the interesting services provided by this website is that it offers ratings based on a wide variety of factors and recommendations of local mechanics, based on zip code.  The site also allows you to search for mechanics and shops based on particular makes of cars.  Individuals may also leave their own recommendations and/or ratings of mechanics they’ve dealt with.

5) Look at review websites

While the Car Talk website is completely focused on automobiles, there are many websites – Angieslist, for example – that offer online reviews and recommendations for local businesses, including mechanics and auto maintenance shops.  And these same websites also offer the bad to go along with the good – shops and mechanics to avoid with reasons why.

6) Visit local mechanics and service shops

Paying a visit to a shop should give will quickly clue you in on how they do business.  Are they friendly and courteous?  Do they answer your questions? Is the place neat and tidy, or dirty and unkempt? Do they prominently display shop prices and warranties? Do they provide waiting areas, and can customers watch the mechanics work? Do they display any certifications or affiliations, such as having ASE certified mechanics; trade organizations like the American Automobile Association (AAA) or Automotive Service Association; membership in the local Better Business Bureau (BBB)?  And does the business’ clientele resemble the type of automobile you need service on? Because one that services specific makes, like Volkswagen or Volvo, when you drive a Ford, is probably not for you.

You probably won’t need all six steps to find a reputable mechanic or shop that will be able to service your car in a professional, budget conscious manner.  But if you do use all six, you’ll likely find the perfect mechanic who can keep your older car running for years.  Happy motoring!

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