Top Qualities To Look For In Your Auto Repair Shop
July 26, 2018
As published on SuwaneeMagazine.com: "Figuring out who you can trust to fix and maintain your car is hard enough, but figuring out who is going to make honest recommendations can be even more difficult! Unfortunately, that is not an unfounded fear since so many people in the auto industry are not up front and honest. Because of this, our friends at Team Ryan Automotive have put together some valuable tips for our readers. We hope you find these helpful!"
- Reviews. The best indication of future experience is based on past performance. Check out what people are saying on Google, Facebook or other reviews and social media sites. A personal referral may hold even more weight to convince you to try a new place out, but online reviews are the modern-day referral network. At minimum, you should look for a place with at least 50 google reviews and a 4.3 star rating or better. If an auto repair shop is piling up negative reviews and has less than a 4.3, you can save your time and continue your search elsewhere.
- Authorizing Work. Don’t authorize work until you are completely comfortable with their explanation! A professional repair facility should be able to clearly and comfortably explain the scope of work needed to diagnose and repair your vehicle. If needed, they should have no problem providing pictures of the part of the car that they are discussing with you. If pictures are not an option, they should show you on the vehicle. Don’t let them get away with being obscure. A good and honest shop will be ready, willing and able to show you what is going on with your vehicle.
- Price. Make sure you understand the price upfront. It is the shop’s responsibility to explain the price for what you are purchasing. Unfortunately, many shops are not as up front and clear with customers as they should be. Be your own advocate and make sure you understand exactly what is being done for what amount
- Warranty. Does the shop have a warranty? Does it cover both parts and labor? Some places will have a very short warranty or have loop holes in their warranty offering. Did you know most dealerships only have a 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on their repairs? Team Ryan Automotive offers a Lifetime Warranty.
- Qualifications. How can you tell if the technicians at an auto repair shop really know what they are doing? Ask if the mechanic working on your vehicle is
ASE certified . Even more specifically, ask what certifications they have because you want to make sure that they are certified in the actual repair that your car needs. For example, if your vehicle needs a check engine light diagnostic, you want to make sure your technician is certified in that specific area. You wouldn’t want a podiatrist operating on your heart would you? ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and it is the benchmark for technician certification. The only way a shop can be recognized with this designation is by having a very high percentage of certified employees. Don’t be satisfied with unqualified mechanics “fixing” your car. Find out more about ASE and use the
shop locator here .
- Dealerships: There is a misconception that new car dealerships have unrivaled service technicians, the newest equipment and the best service. A lot of times this simply is not the case. It is common for dealerships to have a large number of entry-level mechanics with a very small number of certified and experienced technicians. It is very difficult to know with certainty what level of technician is servicing your vehicle, and the odds are not in your favor! We have all been in a situation where we felt like nothing more than a number, and that is no way to feel when you are getting your vehicle serviced.
- Scheduling. Effective scheduling can at times seem like a lost art. This is a good indication of the overall professionalism of a shop. Before the process even begins, they should be able to give you a clear idea of when a technician will be starting on your vehicle and at least an estimate on how long the repairs will take. Of course, the larger the repair or service, the more variables there are in the process, but this is OK! The key here is clear communication of what is known right now, and an expectation set by the shop of when further information will be available.
- Shuttle or Loaner Car. What happens if you don’t have a spare car? Will the auto repair shop give you a ride home or to work? Or even better, do they have a loaner car that you can use while your car is in the shop?
- Treatment. It is the shop’s job to make the process for having maintenance and repair done on your car as easy for you as possible. If you feel like they are making things challenging, then feel good about yourself by taking your business elsewhere.
- Presentation. You can tell a lot about a place by how it looks. Is the shop clean and well maintained? What does the office look like? Automotive repair is very detailed work, the facility as a whole needs to be neat, clean and organized. This is a good indication that the employees take pride in their work, and with that you can be confident that you will receive quality service.
Have questions about your car or truck? Team Ryan Automotive is ready to answer them.
You can find this article published on Suwanee Magazine .
As we head into the new year, we are kicking things off with exciting news for the Sugar Hill and Suwanee community, because Team Ryan Automotive is officially in town! Since opening our doors in 2015, Team Ryan Automotive has proudly delivered exceptional service and trustworthy repairs in Buford, GA (Gwinnett County) and Cumming, GA (Forsyth County). Today, we are excited to bring that same level of care, expertise, and community commitment to drivers in Sugar Hill and Suwanee with our newest location at 820 Brogdon Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024. Did you know that it's possible to be in Sugar Hill city limits while having a Suwanee address? That's exactly where our Team Ryan Automotive Sugar Hill / Suwanee location is positioned. A Meaningful Transition This new location represents a special passing of the torch. After 26 years in Gwinnett County, John and Lori of J & L Automotive are retiring and entrusting their previous customers to be taken care of into 2026 and beyond by Team Ryan. As a husband and wife team, John and Lori built their business on trust and care. Those same values continue with husband and wife team Dan and Shara of Team Ryan Automotive, making this transition a natural fit and a continuation of a strong local legacy.
Auto Repair You Can Trust for Every Driver Every driver has different needs, but whet her you’re commuting in a family SUV, managing a fleet truck, driving your first car, or serving the community as a first responder, you deserve an auto repair shop that puts honesty, safety, and expert care first. At Team Ryan Automotive, serving Buford, Cumming, and Sugar Hill / Suwanee, our family-owned shop is built on one promise: Your car. Your needs. Our expertise. For Parents & Family Drivers Your vehicle carries the most important passengers in your life. From school drop-offs to weekend errands, we help keep your car safe and reliable with: Oil changes and fluid checks Brake repairs Tire rotations and alignments AC repairs and multi-point inspections At Team Ryan Automotive, we believe trust starts with transparency. That’s why we never hesitate to walk you out to the shop and show you exactly what’s going on with your vehicle. Seeing an issue firsthand helps ensure clear communication and confident decision-making. We also use Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) to keep you fully informed. Each inspection includes: Photos of your actual vehicle Clear descriptions of any recommended maintenance or repairs Honest explanations—no pressure, no surprises You’ll always know what your car needs and why. For Young & New Drivers A first car should come with confidence. We offer: Clear explanations Honest recommendations ASE-certified diagnostics No pressure. No confusion. Just a trusted mechanic you can rely on. For Contractors & Fleet Drivers When your truck is your business, downtime isn’t an option. We provide: Fast diagnostics Brake and suspension repairs Tire services and alignments Routine fleet maintenance We help keep your workday running smoothly. For First Responders & Essential Workers We're honored to support our community heroes with dependable, transparent auto repair you can count on, every visit, every time. Our team has the experience and equipment to service a wide range of vehicles, including: Vehicles up to 15,000 pounds Sprinter vans Emergency and service vehicles Dually trucks and work vehicles Why Drivers Choose Team Ryan Automotive? Family-owned and operated ASE-certified technicians Honest diagnostics, no upsells High-quality parts and repairs Lifetime Warranty on most services Convenient online scheduling Whether you’re searching for auto repair near me, oil change in Buford, or brake repair in Cumming, Team Ryan Automotive is here for you.
What an incredible season and a moment of pride for the entire Buford community. This championship represents a true dedication to hard work, discipline, and teamwork, and it is a testament to a program that continues to set the standard both on and off the field. At Team Ryan Automotive, we are incredibly proud to be a sponsor of this outstanding program, not only for what these athletes accomplish under the Friday night lights, but for the leadership and character they demonstrate beyond the game. The Buford Wolves consistently show that success is about more than wins and trophies. It is about integrity, accountability, and lifting others up along the way. Earlier this year at a Buford Academy pep rally, the football team took time to personally connect with every child in the room, making each student feel seen and valued. Moments like that show what this program truly stands for. Character. Community. And doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Our son Aidan shared how much it meant to him that he “got to slap hands with the real football team players,” a small moment that left a big impression. Experiences like that inspire younger students and remind all of us how powerful positive role models can be. That spirit of leadership and heart is something our family and our entire team at Team Ryan Automotive align with wholeheartedly. We believe in showing up for our community, supporting one another, and leading by example, values we see reflected so clearly in this program. Well earned, Wolves. Buford is proud of you, and we are honored to stand behind such an incredible team. 💚🏈
