Misconception #1:

Your car manufacturer specifies regular maintenance schedules just to get you back into their shop to make more money off of you.

NO. Although manufactures are making cars that last longer and require less overall maintenance, they do require some preventative maintenance. If maintained properly, you can expect your new car to go over 100,000 miles without major service. For instance, most engines have timing belts that must be replaced before they wear out, break, and cause even more expensive damage.

Misconception #2:

A shop can give you an accurate price quote over the phone without seeing your car.

NO. You can waste your time calling 20 different shops and get 20 different price quotes and chances are every one of them will be wrong. Unless the shop has had a chance to examine or test drive the car in person, there is no way to accurately diagnose your problem and give you an accurate quote. Beware of any shop that is willing to give you a quote over the phone without seeing the car. Most likely they’ll quote you a real low price just to get you to set up an appointment. Then they’ll probably hit you with a much higher price once you get there.

Misconception #3:

Most repair shops will recommend extra work just to get you to spend more money.

The fact is, any repair shop that doesn’t look for potential problems is actually doing you a great disservice. Quality repair shops do a safety inspection on every car that comes into their shop to uncover those inexpensive repairs that may be needed now, before they turn into major expenses later. Something as simple as discovering and then changing a worn belt may save you the danger and embarrassment of breaking down on a busy highway and an expensive towing charge.

Misconception #4:

All repair shops are the same.

No. In fact there can be a huge difference between repair shops. The new car technology requires constant training to keep up with all the changes. It also requires the shop to have the latest diagnostic equipment available. The repair shop with the best trained and certified technicians and most up to date equipment will usually do the best repair for you.

Misconception #5:

The diagnostic machines that hook up to my vehicle will tell the technician exactly what's wrong with the vehicle.

No. The self diagnostic system that is built into your vehicle can be helpful in finding a fault but it has limitations. In most cases the system detects no faults, even though the vehicle runs poorly, or the faults detected are incorrect. This is where a highly trained tech can interpret the diagnostic results and perform an accurate repair! How to choose a good, reputable repair shop.

Here are a few suggestions that will help you choose a good, reputable repair shop.

First, ask around. Has anyone you know had a good or a bad experience with a particular repair shop?

Next, try to find a shop that has a lot of repeat customers. Customers are more likely to stay with a repair shop that they trust and one that does a good job for them.

And finally, make sure they guarantee all their work.

Now, here are the 3 questions that you must ask any auto repair shop before you set up an appointment.

1.Do they have the most up to date training and diagnostic equipment for your particular make of car?

2. If they give you an estimate over the phone, will they absolutely guarantee the price?

3.Are their technicians ASE certified? By following our suggestions and asking the repair shop these questions, you’ll gain all the information that you need to make an informed, intelligent decision.

If you are just looking for the cheapest repair possible, many companies in the phone book can help you. But if you’re looking for an honest, ethical, professional auto repair company to protect your valuable investment-then I invite you to call us at the shop - (612) 861-1050.
Thanks for your interest.