Can you trust your auto repair shop?

Most consumers agree – independent auto repair shops are best

When you go to the doctor, you want a doctor you can trust. When you call in a furnace repairman, you want to know they won’t take advantage of your trust. After all, you’re counting on the doctor to help you get well, if you’re sick, or stay well otherwise. You’re counting on your furnace repairman to keep your furnace safe and running properly without filching your bank account. That's the same kind of trust you hope to have with your auto repair shop.

Your health is your most important asset. Your home is probably your biggest investment. And your vehicle is most likely your second largest investment. An investment like that is something you want to care for and maintain properly. If it requires repairs, you want the repairs done properly. And you don’t want an auto repair shop that takes advantage of your needs to pad their own pockets.

Unfortunately, when consumers are asked, auto repair shops don’t have the best reputation for trustworthiness. If you struggle to find an auto repair shop that you trust, you’re not alone.

According to AAA, two-out-of-three consumers generally don’t trust auto repair shops. The same study, however, found good news, as well: 64 percent of drivers have found an auto repair shop they do trust. Boiled down, this means that there is probably good reason to question the trustworthiness of auto repair shops. But it also means that, if you look, you should be able to find an auto repair shop you can trust.

Auto repair shops that don’t deserve your trust are likely to commit some or all of the following transgressions:

Overcharging for services
Failing to complete the repairs or service properly
Using inferior parts
Recommending services that aren’t required
Failing to complete work within the promised time frame
Poorly communicating with customers about the cost, parts, and time frame for repairs

Fortunately, shops that score low on the points listed above generally drag their reputations down in the process. So, how do you determine if an auto repair shop is trustworthy?

Do some research on an auto repair shop’s reputation. Keep in mind that one or two black marks do not necessarily represent an accurate portrayal of their reputation, unless those are half the reviews they’ve received. Look for an overall high school from other consumers and that the shop has a significant number of reviews.
Check on their warranty and reputation for standing behind their work.
Ensure that the auto repair technicians working there are certified and are current with ongoing additional training.
Find out if the shop has current equipment to work on newer vehicles, as well as older vehicles (depending on what you drive).
Find out if the auto repair shop is familiar working on your type of vehicle. Some auto repair shops, for instance, specialize in domestic cars but may not be up to speed on your foreign model, if that is what you drive.
Try to determine if their customers stick with them over extended periods.

Finding an auto repair shop you can trust is an important part of your life. You want to know you can keep your car, truck or SUV running reliably, safely and at minimal cost. With a little effort, you should be able to find a shop that will take good care of you, a shop that understands the importance of developing lasting relationships with customers based on trust.

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