How to Avoid Car Repair Disasters

One of the main reasons people complain about car repair companies is that what they thought would be a very cheap repair ends up costing much more than advertised, or taking longer than expected. In most cases, this can be avoided by choosing the right car repair company and ensuring that all the work done is documented and agreed before anything is done to your car.

Let's start with selecting a car repair company. Unless you are in an emergency situation, like your car engine giving up in the middle of a road trip, chances are you have plenty of time to choose a good and legitimate mechanic professional to call on when needed. It's always better to ask for referrals, as few people would recommend a mechanic they didn't have a very good experience with.

Consider also your car, especially if it's an expensive or uncommon model. In some cases you may want to talk with the car manufacturer or the car dealership and see if they can recommend a good mechanic. The reason is that, sometimes, getting spares for particular brands can be difficult unless the car repair company already has a relationship with the manufacturer. It's always a good idea to test a new garage with a routine maintenance session, as that will allow you to see their customer service.

If your car breaks down and you need to take it to the mechanic, make sure they don't start doing any work until you actually approve it, and get a written quote. If the quote seems very high or the suggested repairs look too expensive you may want to go and get a second opinion, just in case there are cheaper ways to get your car running away. However, be careful to avoid being too cheap and making your car a health hazard because you choose to take a shortcut or use parts that aren't guaranteed.

You may also want to look into getting any repairs guaranteed by the car repair company for a specific amount of time, but you may need to ask before they actually offer that kind of insurance to you. Even if it is a bit pricier, a garage that is willing to guarantee their work is more likely to do a good job and save you from car repair disasters.