As skilled professionals, auto mechanics are trained to diagnose and repair a variety of vehicles. But when it comes to hiring a mechanic, you, as someone who would hire them, may want to be sure that the person you selected is qualified and trustworthy. There are certain questions you should be asking yourself about before making the decision.
The logic here is simple, you should hire someone who doesn’t just know how to do the work, but also someone whom you can trust. Why? The reason is that once the vehicle has been fixed, you would want to feel comfortable driving it.
The Importance Of Hiring An Auto Mechanic
When your car or truck broke down, you probably didn’t expect to pay thousands of dollars to fix it. However, this is exactly what happens when you hire a non-professional mechanic. As a result, you might end up spending even more money than you expected.
But luckily, there are mechanics who specialize in repairing vehicles. These experts are called automotive technicians. They are skilled professionals who are well versed with the latest technology. In fact, they are often referred to as “mechanics” instead of “auto mechanics.” It is important to hire someone who knows which tools and techniques, and methods to be used for fixing your vehicle’s issues.
With that being said, we will discuss in this blog the following top five important questions that you should ask the auto mechanic first before any other questions. This will help you determine whether or not your potential mechanic is the right fit for your needs:
- How long have they been working in this field?
If they’re new to the industry, then there’s no telling what kind of experience they’ve had. Having no experience doesn’t mean that they’re not qualified for the job. It’s just that you need to make sure that they have enough knowledge about the industry so that they can provide you with quality service.
You might ask yourself, “isn’t experience the deciding point whether they are fit for the job?”
Well, in reality, the concrete answer to that is debatable. You should remember that there are good and bad experiences. And, as an applicant, for sure, they wouldn’t share any bad past experience they had with their job, right?
So, the main point is, that you should balance things out. Open your mind to the fact that even though the experience is one factor to consider, it isn’t the only thing you should look at.
- What type of tools do they use?
You can tell a lot about a mechanic by the tools he or she uses. Typically, the tools used by a technician are tools they own and an investment they’ve made into their craft. If they’re using high-quality tools such as Snap On or Mac, this could indicate that the technician takes pride in their work and that quality is important to them.
These days vehicles are being built with more electronics and fewer parts. It is imperative that auto repair businesses have the appropriate diagnostic equipment and that they have the latest software updates. A mechanic who doesn’t have or use these tools may misdiagnose your vehicle. This could cause you to pay for something that doesn’t actually fix what is wrong.
- Do they have a valid insurance policy?
It is advisable that all auto mechanics have a valid insurance policy because accidents happen. Even when everything seems fine, something could be wrong with the car. For instance, if the brakes suddenly stop working, then you’ll definitely need to get them checked immediately.
The same goes for the engine. You never know what could happen to it. The last thing you want is to find out that your engine has blown up while you’re driving down the road. It is recommended that you work with an automotive business that has adequate insurance to keep you and your equipment protected.
- Are they licensed?
If they aren’t licensed, then you should think twice before hiring them. After all, you don’t want someone who is unlicensed to work on your vehicle. This means that you will be putting your safety at risk.
Licensing requirements vary depending on where you live. However, in general, you should check if they are registered with the state or local government. They also serve as proof that the person has completed certain courses and exams.
If they haven’t been registered, then you should contact the authorities and report them.
- How much do they charge?
In order to avoid getting ripped off, you should always ask how much they charge. It’s important that you understand the difference between labor costs and parts charges. Labor costs include the time spent fixing the problem and not the materials used. On the other hand, parts charges are related to the cost of the replacement part itself.
For example, your friend’s friend who only charges $100 to come by the house and fix it… will probably end up costing you more money.
You should always keep track of these two types of fees so that you won’t end up paying too much.
In Conclusion
As we’ve seen, finding a qualified auto mechanic isn’t easy. You can start by reviewing the steps above. Take the time to meet with your automotive repair team, ask all the questions you need, and make sure that you feel you’re a good fit to work together. In our experience, great mechanics take the time to thoroughly walk the customer through what was wrong, why, and repercussions if the repair isn’t made, and they’re very transparent when it comes to costs. And speaking of costs, remember that cheapest isn’t always best. You get what you pay for.
Call Andy’s Automotive And Truck Services
Auto repair services are expensive. If you’re looking for cheap auto repair services, chances are, it won’t be an easy task. But worry no more because Andy’s Automotive and Truck Services can help you. With proven years in the industry, we provide quality service at affordable prices.
We are confident to answer the five questions above as we have the goal of not just doing the job but also making sure that our customers are satisfied. We believe that customer satisfaction is our top priority. We are highly trained and certified. Contact us today!