General Mechanics and Specialists

Your everyday mechanic should be a generalist – good at routine maintenance, diagnostics and minor repairs on your overall vehicle. In other words, they should be able to change your oil, replace brake pads, give your car a tune-up and perform a countless list of other services that will keep your car running strong.

It is important to locate a good generalist mechanic and use that facility as your primary car care shop. As they develop a history with your car, the benefits will become evident. They will be better at diagnosing repairs and preventing potential problems down the road. The complete maintenance history of the vehicle will be at their disposal to better serve you and your car.

They should also have a referral network of specialist mechanics that may be necessary to handle repairs outside of their facility. Transmission experts, engine experts and body experts are only a few of the specialists you may call upon to repair your car and extend its operating life.

If you have a good generalist mechanic, their referrals should be very valuable to you. Chances are that they view you as a good customer and would not want to jeopardize that relationship by recommending a shop that is not qualified to handle a repair. They should also work closely with the specialist to diagnose a problem and transfer the history they have on the vehicle – making the specialist’s job easier and more accurate.

Choose the right mechanic

Handing your car over to a mechanic you've never used before can be nerve-racking. How can you be sure of the quality of their work? Are you getting value for money?

*Choosing a mechanic is not a decision to leave to luck so here are a few strategies to improve your peace of mind.

Start small
Take your car in for something minor first, like an oil change. This will give you an idea of the work and service standards of the garage without risking much of your hard-earned money.

Ask around
A recommendation can carry a lot of weight. Ask friends, co-workers and family members about good and bad experiences. See if you can find any opinions on the internet.

First impressions
Obviously a garage is going to have dirt, but a semblance of neatness and order will indicate the establishment is competent and professional.

Specialties
Find out what make of car they service. If you have invested in an expensive vehicle, it's best to find a mechanic that specialises in that make.

Ask questions
Be aware that you are buying a service and have a right to ask questions. Insist on having your questions answered in layman's terms and find out about labour rates, parts charges and guarantees. Always get a price quote before the work is carried out and ask to be contacted if this quote increases.

Prepare yourself well
If you have had indications that there is something wrong with your car, be prepared to express these symptoms and any concerns you might have to the mechanic in as much detail as possible. Making a list is always helpful.