Find Auto Repair Shops to Fit Your Needs

When you are looking for a local Tacoma auto repair shop you want to make sure you are finding someone who knows what they are doing and someone who is trustworthy. This might sound easy but actually it is a hard combination to find.

The vehicles being made today are complex. They have intricate circuit boards and electronics that cars made even ten years ago did not have. In order for the modern mechanic to be able to work on them he has to invest in supplemental education and tools. While the basic premise of how an automobile works is the the exact same as it has always been there are many other "details" auto repair shops must be keenly aware of to get the job done.

Here is what you need to do in order to make sure you find the right auto repair shop that will find your needs.

Find A Shop That Specializes in Your Car

This is not always possible but if you can bring your car to a shop that specializes in what your car is. In every major city, like the Seattle-Tacoma, Wa area, there are shops that focuses on one particular type of car. There are ones that strictly work on Toyota, Honda, Land Rovers, German vehicles, etc.

If possible and if practically bring your car to them. Like many specialists they will charge more than general auto repair shops. But once you factor in that they will take a shorter period of time diagnosing and fixing the problem it will in fact be cheaper and you will know for sure that the job was done 100% correct.

See If The Auto Repair Shop is Part of Any Organizations

There are many mechanic shops out there and I personally would like to take my vehicle to someone who is part of the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. When they are part of these organizations there is some sort of oversight and standards. If you feel you get taken advantage of you can make a formal complaint and the company will be forced to explain itself.

These places also allow you to also check reviews and see what the history of a company has been.

Ask for Pricing Beforehand

Do not always go for the cheapest person. Expect to pay reasonable amounts for good work. Make sure any work you get comes with a warranty though. But, you should be explained exactly what an auto repair shop charges. This includes the hourly rate and how much they charge for parts. It is standard for a shop to mark up their parts 10-20%. It is one of the ways they make money. I do not know of a shop that does not do that but they should at least be honest about doing it and explain to you what their method is for doing it.