When you have car trouble, you need a mechanic you can trust. Your best bet is to cultivate a relationship with a quality mechanic before repairs are looming on the horizon. As you begin your search for a good mechanic, keep these signs of quality in mind. When vehicle trouble rolls around, you will be glad you did.
Quality Mechanics Know Car Parts
With so many automobile makes and models sharing the streets, a solid knowledge of auto parts is the foundation on which a mechanic builds a reputation for quality service. Drivers depend on their mechanic to understand what parts to look at when diagnosing a car problem as well as how to repair or replace them. If you are just beginning a relationship with a mechanic, you can test his knowledge of auto parts by asking lots of questions and paying attention to both his answers and the level of confidence. A quality mechanic’s answers will be straightforward and authoritative, not searching and unsure.
Quality Mechanics Have Wide Experience
In simpler times, a car was pretty much a car. No matter what you drove, a decent mechanic could handle most problems that arose. Today’s engines are different. Connected to a dizzying number of computers and delicately calibrated, modern automobile engines are vastly more complex than they once were. With vehicles depending on such specialized equipment, a mechanic’s mistakes can be very costly. A quality mechanic needs to know how various makes and models function. Mechanics traditionally gather this knowledge from working on a variety of cars. Additonally, today’s mechanics have access to more high-quality training than ever before. When searching for a mechanic, be sure to ask about the training she has and any certifications she holds.
A Quality Mechanic is ASE Certified
The most important general credential a mechanic can possess is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. Recognized throughout the auto industry, ASE certification is considered so important for reassuring customers that a mechanic offers top-notch service that approximately 100,000 mechanics test for the credential each year.
ASE certification shows that a mechanic has at least two years of work experience in the industry and that he has been able to pass a rigorous set of tests to prove his knowledge in the areas of repairing engines and ensuring their optimum performance. The tests also measure ability in caring for electrical systems, maintaining braking, steering, and suspension systems and dealing with both automatic and manual transmission systems. It is also possible for a mechanic to demonstrate ability in collision repair, machining engine parts, and other skill areas. ASE certification tests must be retaken every five years to ensure the mechanic’s knowledge is current.
A Quality Mechanic Works for a Trustworthy Auto Service Provider
While ASE certification demonstrates a mechanic’s knowledge and ability, there is no certification process for automotive service shops. Service providers employing at least one ASE certified mechanic may display the ASE logo to their customers. If three quarters of the shop’s technicians have ASE certification, the shop may also display ASE’s “Blue Seal of Excellence” logo.
Looking for these logos can give you isome nsight into the quality of work an auto center is capable of performing, but in order to boost your confidence in the provider’s abilities, simply take a look around. A quality shop should be clean and organized. It should also utilize current tools and equipment. The staff should demonstrate a strong customer service ethic and any special policies should be clearly posted.
A Quality Mechanic is One Your Family and Friends Recommend
For most consumers, a single positive testimonial means more than all the certifications in the world. If family and friends all recommend a good mechanic in your area, she has clearly earned the trust of people you respect. When you need to have repairs done on your car, ask people you trust for recommendations. They will not hesitate to tell you which mechanics you can trust and which you should avoid.