Top 5 Ways You Know Your Mechanic Is Trustworthy

We all have our nightmare stories about a mechanic who ripped us off or didn’t quite do everything that needed to be done. Whenever you have to take your car in to have car repairs, there’s always an issue of credibility. But, how do you know if you have a good mechanic from a bad one? Like any poker player, most trustworthy mechanics have their “tells”. We thought we’d put together a list to help you determine whether or not to stay with that auto repair shop or begin to shop around.

The truth is, there are plenty of things you can do to maintain or even repair your car. There are a lot of “do it yourself” types who don’t mind changing the oil, spark plugs and even brakes. That can work out fine for those who know what they’re doing, but cars made today are more complex and have integrated parts and computers. Making mistakes with more modern cars can cost you way more than finding the right auto repair shop. That’s why it’s important to find a mechanic you can feel good about.

Here’s our list of how to know if your mechanic is a good one:

GOOD MECHANICS SHOW YOU WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR CAR

There are many people out there that wouldn’t know a spark plug from a fire plug, but that’s not the point. A mechanic who will take the time to show you exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle and explain the problem as well as discuss the car repair options is a mechanic worth keeping. If a doctor takes the time to explain what’s wrong before fixing it, our auto mechanic should too. (Strangely, most mechanics have better “bed side” manner).

GOOD MECHANICS KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT MAINTAINING YOUR CAR

Every make and model car has different recommended service intervals to keep the car running efficiently. These services can include everything from oil changes, brake service, fluid checks, new filters, spark plugs, timing belts, etc. Every good mechanic and auto repair shop has all the service requirements at their fingertips and can not only pull them up online, but can print them out for you. Many mechanics will work with you to keep your car running well. Some will even let you know when it’s time for various services and keep you on schedule. Not only does it help you keep your car running well, but keeping you on schedule helps you plan ahead financially. Plus, it’s good business for the mechanic as well as the auto repair shop, so it’s really a win-win all around. Keep in mind, vehicle maintenance is always less expensive that car repairs.

GOOD MECHANICS HAVE PROOF ON DISPLAY

This may seem like a small thing, but we’re big believers in being trained in what you do. While there absolutely may be some good mechanics out there who learned auto repair from their Dad on a farm somewhere, there’s no denying that having certifications and diplomas is comforting. These need to be displayed on a wall somewhere in the garage. Going to a mechanic with ASE certifications typically means you’ve got a mechanic who r has skills.

GOOD MECHANICS TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED NOW & WHAT CAN WAIT

A good mechanic is like a trusted advisor for your vehicle. Like a person, as your car ages, it needs more work done. We’ve all had experiences where we feel like every time through the nose. Mechanics you can trust will tell you what needs immediate attention and what can wait until next time. There are few thing more valuable than an honest, educated opinion especially when it comes to something as important as your car.

Keep in mind, when a mechanic tells you that you’re going to need something down the road, this gives you time to budget for it later. We all know that car repairs can be expensive, so having a little time to save up is always better than getting slapped with an immediate, expensive repair.

Car repairs can generally be classified in three different ways- maintenance, worn but ok and flat broken. Taking your car in for maintenance isn’t usually very costly whereas flat broken is usually an unwelcomed financial shock. A good mechanic will help you better predict these events and plan accordingly.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, GOOD MECHANICS REPAIR YOUR CAR

At the end of the day, what matters most is that your car repairs get done in the fastest, most affordable way. Nothing is more frustrating than having to take your vehicle back to have the same problem worked on multiple times. It’s enough to make you lose faith in all mechanics. That’s why it’s so important to fine a mechanic you can trust. It’s a relationship that can last for years once you find a good one.

These days, cars some with more computers onboard than a Best Buy, so it’s important to have the right equipment to effectively diagnose and repair the problem. Where the doctor/patient analogy breaks down is that usually a patient can tell the doctor what’s wrong enough for the doctor to nail down the diagnosis whereas a car only leaves subtle clues. That’s why when you find a mechanic that can go from “It’s making a funny noise” to actually fixing what’s wrong, that mechanic is a keeper. 

Team Ryan Automotive Repair is a local auto repair shop located in Buford. We provide vehicle maintenance and car repairs for customers all around Buford, Sugar Hill, Cumming, Flowery Branch, Lawrenceville and even Dacula. We work hard to establish 100% customer satisfaction. We explain what’s going on with your vehicle in simple to understand terms and we strive to be the mechanics you can trust.