Taking your car in for repairs can sometimes be likened to a visit to the dentist to have teeth pulled. You know it has to be done but are dreading the outcome. Unfortunately there are a few mechanics out there that use the situation to their advantage and the consumer is really playing into their hands as not everyone knows enough about their vehicle to know when they are being scammed.

I have seen this situation from both sides of the fence. First as a mechanic and a workshop owner and second as a consumer now relying on other people to do my work. A back injury forced me out of what I thought was a lifetime career as a mechanic and small business owner. I am glad however that I now have the opportunity to see things from both sides and offer people advice as to what to expect from their chosen auto repairer.

The first quality that you should look for in your mechanic is their willingness to communicate with you. Honest people are always willing to share information with you and if your mechanic simply brushes you off or will not explain what was done and why, then it’s time to look for another mechanic. Sometimes you will have no idea what the mechanic is talking about but that is no excuse for them not keep you informed on what is being done to your car.

So many times I heard horror stories from customers about dropping their car off for a minor service and coming back to pick it up and being presented with a huge bill. In these days of mobile phones and the like this simply isn’t good enough. A phone call is all it takes to explain why the extra work is needed and an arrangement can be made that suits your budget. If a mechanic goes ahead and does extra work without your consent then you also need to look for another mechanic.

Sticking to quoted prices, this is another grey area in auto repair. The mechanic can always say that they needed to replace more parts than they originally thought or that once they got things apart they had to repair another item. If this is the case then once again it comes down to communication. If your mechanic goes ahead and does this extra work without consulting you first be wary. If there is a possibility that the price will go over the quote ask them to consult you first and if they don’t go elsewhere next time.

As you can see communication plays a big part in keeping customers happy. I know from my experiences that if you are up-front and take the time to keep people informed that they will come back time and time again. In my opinion there is something shady about mechanics who simply take your car and keep you in the dark as to the progress of the repairs. So many times I see it happen and so many times the customer is the one that gets taken for a ride from these people. Many people don’t understand the modern motor vehicle and this fact is definitely not an excuse to take advantage of them and rip them off.

If you have found an honest mechanic, stick with them. If on the other hand you are not satisfied with the service you get from your current mechanic take the time to look around and get recommendations from family and friends. The best form of advertising is word of mouth and it works well when you are providing a good service at a fair price. Please also keep in mind that if your mechanic is reluctant to discuss the details of the repairs then you may be getting taken for a ride.