Our vehicles are like part of the family, so when it comes to finding a reputable mechanic or service garage, it’s much like finding a good family physician.  We ask friends and/or relatives about recommendations, talk to our neighbors to discover where they do business and  follow up on businesses which may be close to home and reasonable in cost.

There are two service garages in my local area which I trust completely, so much so that I would never think of taking my business somewhere else. One of these happens to be owned by a friend and the other is where a friend of mine once worked. When one garage happens to be busy and I can’t get my car in as soon as I would like, then the other one is an option I’ve used time again.  Both have given me - as well as members of my family – great service at a fair price.

While locating a friendly, experienced and knowledgeable mechanic or service garage can be time consuming and sometimes even frustrating, it doesn’t have to be.  Here are my recommendations for finding the perfect mechanic for you.

1. Speak with friends, family and your neighbors to get recommendations and opinions about local services garages and mechanics in your area.  Those who have both good and bad experiences are sure to talk about them.

2.  Call to make appointments to visit a few recommended local shops before a major repair needs your immediate attention. Take your vehicle in for some simple maintenance; visit one service garage for an oil change one week, then perhaps a week or two later, visit another service garage for a tune-up. 

3. While visiting, speak to the manager or service mechanic on duty.  Talk about your vehicle and cars in general and ask questions.  Do they seem friendly and helpful or gruff and too busy? 

4. Note whether the garage is busy and whether or not there are enough mechanics on duty to handle repairs.  Small towns may sometimes only have one mechanic, while larger cities and towns have a full staff.  Either way, both should be proportionate to how much work needs to be done.

5. If your vehicle is under warranty, make certain the service garage or mechanic honors the warranty. Also ask if they warranty services they perform.

6. Ask about prices and always get a written estimate.

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