Most drivers have found themselves in a difficult situation when their car breaks down at least once, right? Regardless of the reason why you are seeking auto repair services, and regardless of the type of vehicle you own, it’s crucial to know the key things to look for in such a business (as well as what type of mindset you shouldn’t have concerning auto repair shops). There’s evidently a lot of options for businesses in the vehicle repair market. According to IBISWorld, this industry grew at an average rate of 2.5% between 2012 and 2017. This level of growth is expected to continue for several years. Let’s closely examine what you should look for in an auto repair shop.
6 Tips for Choosing an Auto Repair Shop
Knowing what to look for in an auto repair shop is invaluable for anyone who wants service on their vehicle. Here are six pieces of advice you should follow when deciding on which auto repair shop you would like to visit.
Ask for Recommendations
Perhaps one of the wisest actions you can take when seeking auto repair work is to request referrals from friends, family members, and any other connections you have. Recommendations such as these can be especially helpful if the people you know have received services from more than one repair business in your area and can thus compare the quality of work performed. Don’t underestimate how much of a difference this simple precaution can make.
Look at Online Reviews
This may sound like a hassle, but it can ultimately prove to help you in your search for an auto repair shop for one simple reason: at least some of the customers who post reviews are bound to be less biased than your family and friends. In 2013, Google reported that 73% of consumers said they would either “most likely” or “definitely” return to the business where they most recently had vehicle repair work done. Consumers like these can ultimately help usher in repeat business. Today, many customers use search engines such as Google to find auto repair shops.
Don’t Focus Exclusively on Price
It’s perfectly understandable to want to set a budget before pursuing repair work of any kind. However, the most affordable (cheapest) option may not always be the best one. You may end up feeling grossly dissatisfied with the service you received, so be wary of this.
Ask Tons of Questions
As a customer, you have every right to inquire about an auto repair business’ rates and policies, as well as its employees’ experience levels, among other things. If you have any concerns about your vehicle’s parts (e.g. tires) wearing out easily, then you should look for repair shops that offer extended warranties on parts (or at least some type of guarantee). You can even ask employees if they hold any special certifications.
Request Estimates
If you ask for a detailed, written estimate for repair work, you can make significantly more sound decisions after considering your budget. An estimate can also help certify that the shop you choose to visit won’t add on any unnecessary services at the last minute just to make some extra money, which should never happen.
Push for Explanations in Layman’s Terms
Unless you are a mechanic or an engineer (or someone close to you is highly knowledgeable about this field), you sincerely can’t be blamed for not being familiar with all of the terminology related to auto repair work (such as the different tools used, like calipers). Therefore, don’t feel embarrassed about asking your mechanic to explain issues to you in the simplest terms possible. This will allow you to save time and a lot of unneeded stress.
Contact a Professional Auto Repair Shop
Speak to the experts at Robs Customs & Restorations in Manassas, Virginia to learn more about what positive characteristics to look for in an auto repair business. We have experience working with many different types of vehicles, including classic cars, antique cars, and muscle cars.
Robs offers full car and truck restorations, as well as paint jobs, rust repair, and frame alignment so that your vehicle can circulate properly on the road. No matter what type of work you are looking to have done on your car (minor repairs or a complete custom rebuild), our team is dedicated to performing services in the most efficient way possible. We can even disassemble any part of your car’s body and replace it with higher-quality alternatives (including engine swaps).
Call Robs Customs & Restorations today at (703) 552-5001 or contact us online to receive a free estimate or to get more information about our services.