Maintenance – Beat auto repair rip-offs

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Develop a relationship with a good repair shop – one that knows your car – and you will be ahead of the game when it comes to maintenance. Learn which shops in your area have the best reputation. Good credentials are important for both shop and mechanic.

A shop that’s affiliated with a reputable parts distribution and repair network (like NAPA) has an edge when it comes to getting quality replacement parts when you need them. Mechanic certification (like ASE) tells you that those working on your car are the best available.

Heed these four ways to keep any mechanic honest when he works on your car.

* Let him figure out the problem. Explain what you hear or see, and make sure your description is included in the work order. Keep it simple. Say, “It won’t crank,” not “I think it needs a new battery.” This keeps spendthrift mechanics from automatically installing a new battery, even if the battery is not the problem.

* Know what you’re entitled to. The U.S. Attorney General’s Office says you should expect written estimates on repairs over $100 if you deal with the repair shop face-to-face. And the repair shop must have your permission for repairs more than 10 percent over the authorized estimate.

* Get all guarantees and warranties in writing, both for parts and labor. Take notes on your conversations with the mechanic. A good place to record the details of your agreement is on the work order itself. Make sure you understand what is written there. This will help you avoid expensive misunderstandings.

* Tell the mechanic you want all parts that have been replaced. If a part, like an alternator, can be exchanged and rebuilt, ask to see the receipt for the swap. Don’t pay for a new part if all they did was clean and reinstall the old one.



All the best,



Timben