How to select an independent shop and / or mechanic for repair work?

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Forgive me if this has been asked before and feel free to point me in that direction if it has.

As a general rule of thumb, I'm of the opinion that taking your vehicle to a Dealership for service has the most advantages. By that I mean that the mechanic that works on your vehicle probably have vehicle specific training, OEM parts, etc. While I feel like you might pay more money, you probably stand the best chance of getting the vehicle repaired correctly. I also feel like if there's a problem with the repair work, you probably (I use that word a lot!) will have an easier time getting resolution.

Having said all of that, I would like to explore the possibility of having some , or all, of my maintenance and repair work done by an independent shop...but I have no idea how to find one!

How do you all find a quality repair shop, that's honest, skilled, etc.? Should I look for certain mechanic qualifications (i.e., A.S.E.), etc.

I welcome your suggestions!

Thank you,
Ed
 
I've had good luck by following leads in the newspaper (award winner for top service shop of the year), asking other same model owners, and (I hate to admit it) top picks from the internet. I always look for a shop that specializes in my model (Volvo, BMW, whatever). I like to see certificates on the wall about having taken model specific courses.

The prices are a bit lower but I think the work is better too.

You also have a chance of getting after market parts when they're better (and cheaper) than OEM, and having someone watch for a break in pricing. Volvo had a one piece front hub and disc until an after market split combination came on the scene. Volvo immediately came out with a split combination too. Whereupon I got the Volvo part. My service guy had been measuring my front disc every visit (it was getting marginal) and reassuring me that a split part from Volvo was almost here. You don't get that kind of consideration from the dealer.

It's nice to have a shop be able to tell you that the OEM part is actually cheaper than the aftermarket replacement. It often is and it's nice to know that someone is paying attention.

And sometimes the OEM part is more expensive but also a lot better than the aftermarket ones, and its nice to have a specialist shop that knows that and can steer you right.
 
I like local independents who have been around. Perhaps Yelp can help.
Ask your neighbors; word of mouth as others have posted.

A newer car does not need much for the 1st 100K or so.
An older car, well things wear out.

My neighbor told me she had a great Honda mechanic.
I suggested to her that all Honda mechanics are great Honda mechanics.

Good luck.
 
Look for a place that isn't hiring.
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Ask a few trades people or businesses where they get their vehicles serviced. I used a shop that a regional fish wholesaler had their trucks serviced. People who make fish deliveries can't futz around.
 
I often have to "certify" a local or regional vendor to provide a certain level of performance, capability and quality to meet some form of requirement for quality for a client.

It can be difficult to do and is often an "inexact" science to be sure.

For shops and service locations, I look at:

Equipment- modern, well maintained, fits the mission ( not a dino shop), and has adequate attachments.

General tools- Clean, adequate in quality/quantity

Library - ( personally I look real close at this one because nobody knows everything), how deep and wide is it and how much its used.

People- professional credentials, appearance, motivation, professionalism

Quality of work- (I have to technically inspect facilities and their records usually so that may be above what a layman might want to do but certainly seek references or comments at a minimum)

Communication- I want techs and managers who will take ownership, use due diligence, explain things and present options/suggestions- not just read me a quote

Work Management- basically organization and housekeeping

I have found "word of mouth" to be a double edged sword and not entirely reliable.( but I wouldn't discount it entirely- just not let it carry excessive weight against everything else)

Not really applicable here but sometimes I have to verify ISO credentials, HSE/OSHA records, financials etc. ( and sometimes professional license)

Even then, all that has taught me that's no guarantee but its about the best we can do sometimes.
 
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Word of mouth

the best way I found
 
Google mechanics/shops ..then open the results in google maps ...youll se a lot of reviews there. Read the reviews for substantive comments about good/ bad service and make a choice. Also after your service add your comments to the pool. Shops that ignore good service and social media are not gonna last. expecially with the complexity of newer vehicles. Ham fisted part swappers will be more visible there.
 
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When you read reviews, pay attention to the negative ones and read between the lines, especially if it's the only bad one or there's very few. Some people complain about everything or complain about things that aren't legitimate. Throw those out, IMO....
 
Keep in mind a lot of dealership techs (not all) are only trained on the latest models, so the techs fresh out of school might not be up to speed on models a few years old.

This varies greatly though, because all dealerships and independent shops are run differently.
 
The question I have is what is the make and model of the car and mileage?

LIke everyone has said, word of mouth is the best way. Of course, who do you trust? If you work locally, ask co-workers who they use. I found my first mechanic by asking the fleet manager at my company. He knew a bunch of local mechanics and recommended one near our company. If you belong to a church or a social club, you may have a mechanic in the group or the members certainly know a mechanic.

Don't be surprised if you have to go to a couple mechanics. Start with basic maintenance or a simple repair like brakes. pay attention to how they treat you and cost. Talk to the mechanic and their people. Are they friendly? do they seem honest? do they share some insight about some things to look out for? Do they like the same baseball team you do? Remember you're trying to develop a relationship with this mechanic. So don't overlook the small talk and the friendliness of their staff.

Good luck.
 
Look for a place that has been around for a while. I recently had to take my Neon in for an alignment. I asked them what type of machine they use. They have a very high end Hunter alignment machine. They also gave me a reasonable quote for the timing belt so i had them do that as well. The place i went has been in business since before moving to Colorado when i was a kid. However there's another place across town that's had 4 different names in the last 10 years.
 
When my cousins, friends, or my son can't work on my truck I take it to an indy shop in town. They are well known by their great work ethic and knowledge of vehicle mechanical systems. It's only the shop owner and another mechanic, that are both ASE certified. Their hourly rates are much lower than a dealership. And, the owner gives a discount to Veterans, disabled, and elderly people. I have had my sons shop foreman do a couple of jobs on my truck that has saved me $1K's!
Word of mouth is the best advertising, IMHO.
 
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Word of mouth




Absolutely! It's that guy who is hard to get on the phone because he's under a car actually working and doesn't want the overhead Of a secretary to chase phones, make appointments ect. He doesn't need to and he's always busy.......He probably won't furnish loaners ect. because that stuff just complicates his life and drives up prices that you pay in the end. It'll often be an old beat up shop because his father or grand father built it way back. And it could be at his home again saving cash on high end rentals , taxes ect. Chances are he won't be wearing nice crisp coveralls either. He doesn't have to impress anybody because he already has their trust . He doesn't advertise either because again he doesn't have to .
 
Originally Posted by dtownfb
The question I have is what is the make and model of the car and mileage?.


2019 4WD Toyota Tacoma, Automatic transmission, with the V6 motor and just over 5,000 miles.

Ed
 
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