With many motorists believing they have been scammed by a car mechanic through being over charged, having unnecessary or poor quality work carried out, picking a reliable garage can be a minefield.
Whilst most garages are completely reputable and provide a good service there are garages out there who are less trustworthy. When you need to find a garage to carry out a service or repairs on your car, it can be very difficult choosing a reliable garage that is not only good value for money but also carries out high quality work.
Although car owners ultimately have to put their trust in their mechanic to do a good job, there are some simple tips that can be followed to reduce the chance of being ripped off.
Top 10 tips for car owners:
1. Firstly, read the owner's manual to ensure that mechanics are following the manufacturer's guidelines when servicing your car. By doing this when you put your car in for a service you'll soon see if the garage is suggesting work to be carried out that the manufacturer doesn't recommend at each service interval.
2. Buy a repair manual or join internet forums relating to your car make and model to help research and understand the nature of the problem. You'll also gain an insight into what your mechanic is telling you. You may find that you can carry out some basic repairs yourself (avoid invalidating any manufacturer warranty if doing so).
3. Service your car regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. By skipping service intervals on your car you will run the risk of a more serious fault developing. Servicing your car regularly to the manufacturer's
recommendations can help save money in the long run.
4. If you take your car to a garage for either a service or repair then get an estimate before the garage starts any work. Also inform the garage that if they need to carry out any additional work then they should telephone you prior to starting the work. This will help reduce any 'hidden' costs.
5. If you're unsure about anything then don't be afraid to say "no" and get a second opinion on what work is required.
6. It's good practice to get additional quotes from other garages to see if the quote for your first choice garage is in the right 'ballpark'. The cheapest quote doesn't necessarily mean the best value for money, but any garage that seems to be charging way over the odds for work to be carried out will be flagged.
7. Inquire as to whether the garage uses replacements parts that are sourced from the manufacturer or whether they use third-party spare parts. In some instances parts that are not produced by the manufacturer for the specific make and model of your vehicle can be sub-standard.
8. Ask for a breakdown of the bill and make sure things have been done - if necessary, ask the mechanic to show you what work has been carried out.
9. Make sure you know your rights- Trading Standards provide an overview on the rights you have as a consumer when it comes to car repairs and servicing.
10. Finally use a garage you can trust, recommended either by a friend, trade body or approved network such as the National Service Network an organisation that provides automotive services for those who want to be sure that their vehicles are being maintained to the highest standards at competitive prices.
