trustywrench.com

 Over the years I have thought about how one would find a good mechanic, and how to avoid a bad experience. In three plus decades repairing cars and trucks, I have worked with a lot of mechanics. I have been in big shops and small ones. Clean shops and dirty, cluttered shops. Independent garages, gas stations, and dealerships. Some have had a flat-rate pay system, others an hourly wage.  In a quick count I have worked with about fifty different mechanics, and some not so different. (just joking). Of those I can think of only three who were dishonest, greedy or unethical in some way. I say this because when I look at other car repair websites I see a lot of talk about getting ripped off and technician dishonesty. Maybe I have led a sheltered life, but I have not seen that much truly bad behavior. That is not to say most mechanics are angels, but the shades of poor performance I have seen are more a result of rushed work, avoiding disagreeable jobs or working on a system that they are not competent in. More often though, I have seen mechanics lose income by spending their own time trying to solve a difficult problem or doing high-quality work when they are being paid only enough for mediocre work or doing a little extra, like washing a car or fixing some small problem that is not even on the repair order.

So, how to find a good mechanic?  In a flat rate shop I would ask for the tech who is not the highest or lowest earner, but somewhere in between. Experience is always a plus, especially frequent experience in the particular problem area you are having looked at. If you can get recommendations from friends, that helps.  Some certification is good, but there are many good mechanics that just don’t like taking tests, or who have let certification lapse because having taken the same test a few times, further testing seemed silly.  If you go to a dealership that handles your make of car you can assume that someone in the shop has the right experience, and that they have manuals and special tools and factory training and support. Those things, however, do not guarantee reasonable costs or honesty. A dealer can look up your car’s history and has the latest service bulletins and recall information. Dealership experience is a plus, but many independent garages employ mechanics who have worked for dealers and are very competent. 

If you don’t have recommendations from trusted sources, then try to find a shop before a breakdown. Take your car in for some routine work and see how it goes. Sometimes management pressures employees to upsell work. Does the service writer recommend additional maintenance like flushes, brake inspection or alignment? If so then try to assess if this is an honest effort to correct a real problem or an attempt to vacuum your wallet. Can they cite specific reasons for the suggested work or is it mainly preventative. High miles, dirty fluids or uneven tire wear can indicate a need, but without something concrete like this you might want to pass for the time being.

It is difficult for the non-mechanic to determine real repair needs. A coolant or transmission flush at the right time can extend the life of these expensive systems. However, a transmission flush earlier than needed just wastes fluid and money. Read your car’s maintenance schedule and learn to check the fluids yourself. Being better informed will give you confidence and may save you money.

If you do have a problem that must go to a shop, then do all you can to help the mechanic. First, clean out the car some. There is no place that we do not go in a car to find and fix problems. Modules are located under seats and in doors. Ashtrays and glove boxes get removed for access. Do I even need to mention the trunk? Discarded food, dirty clothes and loaded weapons are not pleasant to work around. Then, have all pertinent information ready for the service writer. Miles, VIN, (vehicle identification number), how long you have had the car, previous damage and work, when the problem occurs, (like hot or cold, always, occasionally, high, moderate or low speed, accelerating, coasting or decelerating, left or right turn or when braking). As my mother used to say, “Be specific”. The information you provide will definitely help. Just saying, “my car makes a noise” may be true but will mean the mechanic will have to go through all possible driving conditions to be sure of the problem, and still may not find it. Saying, “my car makes a crunch sound when I back out of my driveway and turn the wheel sharp” may save you a lot of money because most mechanics will recognize this common behavior, briefly road test then grease the steering stops and send you on your way to report back if the noise is gone.  Many shops won’t charge at all for such an easy problem. If that happens to you, you can multiply your good luck by dropping off some bakery one morning.

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Let’s summarize: 1) Most mechanics are hard-working, honest people, 2) When possible, get recommendations for shops or mechanics, 3) Seek solid, experienced mechanics, not ego-inflated, not the newest or lowest paid, 4) Help them with information, 5) Use your instincts to avoid a zealous sales job, 6) When things go well, go back and thank the person who actually did the work. Car repair is often strenuous, painful, frustrating work in uncomfortable conditions that doesn’t pay all that well. A little appreciation won’t be forgotten. 7) When things don’t go well, be patient. Lots of things can and do go wrong. If there weren’t problems, we wouldn’t have a job. (really, you wouldn’t believe how many things do go wrong, but are corrected on the spot, like broken bolts, scuffed plastic trim, belts that don’t fit, you name it).