How do you find an honest car mechanic?

Answer 1

The best way is to ask around...friends and family. If you can't do that, you can start by making sure the mechanic is ASE certified. Look at the certificate to make sure it is current. The triple A auto club can also be a good resource.

Answer 2

First of all you ask everybody you know (that has an "older car"), new car owners don't kow for sure wether the mechanic is honest of not, (as the co. pays for the problem)-- not that the mechanic can't be good, (and not honest). On the other hand, - an honest (good) mechanic will be remembered, (as well as a bad, - or dishonest one), - by the normal older car owner! They will be glad tell which is which, _(providing they aren't mad at you for something). You can't determine which is which by the bill, Since the cheap one may be just "fixing it enough" so that you come back again and again (thus making much more money than he should from you!) On the other hand the "expensive" repair job done right, - doesn't have to be done over and over, so the end total is less expensive in the long run!

You should be able to understand the explination of what is wrong, and what he is going to do! He shouldn't be using descriiptions of things that you (and maybe nobody else understands). This is how "snow jobs are made", - if he can't adequately explain it, he probaly can't fix it either! And of course if he can't explain it to you,- so you can understand it, - then you are at the mercy of the mechanic! Last of all, get a second opinion of problem and cure, at least till you can "trust" your mechanic!

By the way, I have been a mechanic for 55 years, - long before ASE ever happened, I am not certified, and I can go toe to toe with any of them. But these kind of mechanics are depleating rapidlyl So don't think ASE makes a perfect mechanic (you wouldn't want a doctor that passed with a minimum score to operate on you either)! It is the performance record, and honesty that makes him good!

Answer 3

The best way to find an honest mechanic is to get info from places like the Better Business Bureau, and then talk to people you know and see what experiences they have had with local mechanics. A busy shop doesn't always mean an honest shop, but it is usually a good indication. This won't guarantee finding an honest mechanic, but it will give you the best odds. Also, if you don't mind getting dirty and you have the mechanical aptitude, with the repair manuals (I think the Chilton's manual is usually the most informative and useful) you can make many of the repairs yourself. I personally have not had to take a vehicle to a mechanic for over 6 years because I have fixed things myself. Granted, major things will require a trained mechanic, but for the little things, I have saved a lot of money and stress by doing it myself. Even if you don't feel confident making your own repairs, reading the manuals and understanding what might be wrong will make it harder for a dishonest mechanic to "take you for a ride". Also, asking for the old parts and having them show you what was wrong will make deception harder, but you need to tell them you want the old parts before you leave the car there, because even an honest mechanic is likely to throw broken parts away when they pull them off the car. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

DUDE I labored as a mechanic and that i in no way on objective tried to screw over a shopper,this is undesirable for company. because it became positioned to me a million **** up will cost you 10-20 atta boy's, some situations it in simple terms is that the mechanic would possibly not have run for the period of a undeniable situation. me, I frequently get the diverse situation variety,so i ought to have dealt with 1 situation yet by way of incontrovertible fact that there are different probs too it in simple terms feels like it is a **** up be reason the shopper would not have the money to restoration all of it.

Answer 5

The only way is to become a mechanic yourself and than find yourself. Some times they are not trying to rip you off , they just don't know the exact problem so they just start replacing things to try and solve the problem.

Answer 6

guess7862, I totally agree with you . That ASE B.S., neither makes you a good mechanic or a honest. Mechanic 40+ years.

Answer 7

The simple answer is to find an independent mechanic with a busy shop. His shop will be busy because he is honest. Then give him time to get to you because he will be overworked.

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Answer 8

I agree with Stallion most mechanics these days look for the money more than fixing your vehicle. They of course will fix it but with no care at all they just want your vehicle out of their shop.

Answer 9

Go to: http://cartalk.com

Put your zip code in the "Mechanics Files" area --- you'll get real experiences, comments and recommendations from people who have used mechanics in your area.

Answer 10

Tuff question!
I suggest when you take your vehicle someplace for service ALWAYS ask for the old parts, even if you don't know what they are. Ask them to explain the damage.
If they hook it to a computer ALWAYS ask for a printout, even if you can not read it.
This lets them think you know what they are doing and for the most part keeps them honest.