11 tips for choosing your garage
When you drop your vehicle in the garage, you can dread this moment, for fear of being ripped off. But over stress, we have the solution for you: Here are 11 points to consider before giving your car to a professional!
A clean garage
Tools everywhere, oil stains on the ground, cars distributed anyhow in the garage and its surroundings: these are proofs that your mechanic is not very orderly. This can be a problem for his work, he may lack meticulousness. Better to avoid.
Establish a quote
Before carrying out any operation on your car, whether for an interview, a repair or a part change, it is essential that your mechanic submit a quote reading the list of work to be performed, as well as the amount approximate that you will have to pay.
If during the r éfection, professional realizes that the work will cost you more expensive, it is imperative you know. If this amount exceeds your budget, you can refuse them. In this case, ask him then which ones to carry out in priority.
Clear explanations
Before touching your vehicle, the car mechanic must explain to you what he intends to do: he must detail you each step clearly, even if you have to rephrase if you have trouble following him when he uses too technical jargon. It must take time and answer all your questions if you have any.
Pay attention to used parts
To repair your vehicle, your expert may suggest you use second-hand parts, especially if your vehicle is already older and you will not keep it for years (or the number of kilometers traveled is high): it's all bonus for you as they usually cost less than the original ones. By cons, find out about their provenance, so as to avoid those that are of poor quality.
Attention also: it is better to refuse used parts for tires or brakes. If they offer you, run away!
See used parts
To prove your good faith, your car mechanic can agree to keep you and present them to you. This is a plus, because it happens sometimes that mechanics mention changes of parts on the invoice, while this is absolutely not the case.
An emptying in the rules of the art
To verify that it has been done, there is a trick: draw a chalk mark on the drain plug, which is under your vehicle. If the trace disappeared when you recover it, it is that it was carried out in the rules of the art, and that the stopper was really disassembled. Otherwise, it means that the emptying took place by suction: this technique consists in introducing a pump intended to suck the used oil, without removing the drain plug.
A precise repair time
If he is competent, he can tell you the number of hours that he will take, as well as the period during which your car will be immobilized. This will be an indication, it may nevertheless take more time, especially if the piece to be changed is not available and must be ordered. If the time allotment seems particularly excessive, it is always time to change.
Being an attentive spectator
If the revision is short, you are more than likely to stay in the garage . Use this time to see what's happening in the shop. If the professional you have opted for has nothing to hide, it will not be a problem for him to take a look, while still keeping you at a distance so as not to disturb him.
You will also see that many garages offer a room where you can wait, and where you can attend work from large windows.
On the other hand, if you are denied the right to attend, it's suspicious, be suspicious!
A comparison is needed
If the overhaul is large, it may cost you one arm. To find the cheapest price, and if you do not have a mechanic, take the time to ask the opinion of several of them, 3 minimum.
You will see that some offer to take charge of more futile things, hoping that you will accept them. So choose the one that is the least expensive and will repair exactly what you need, no more.
Count on word of mouth
To find the right professional, ask your friends, they will probably tell you one they are satisfied. Also count on them to tell you which ones to avoid, and with whom they had problems.
Move with an expert
You do not understand much in the world of mechanics and the automobile, and your uncle knows a ray of it? Ask him to accompany you to the garage, he can help you to understand everything and the operations that will be performed on your car: this further minimizes the risk of scams.