How to Find a High-Quality Car Repair Shop

Ask for recommendations. High-quality mechanics build a good reputation in their community. Ask around. This becomes especially relevant if you ask someone who has a car that’s similar to yours.

Check for certification. A quality mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, technicians need to pass one or more of ASE’s 52 tests. To remain ASE certified, the technician must be retested every five years.

Check with the Better Business Bureau. Auto repair shops rank 16th on the Better Business Bureau’s list of companies that get complaints. Go to the bureau’s website to check on any repair shops you’re considering.

Ask the shop about the work it does. “In my experience, it was rare for people to reach out to us and have a discussion about the services we offered before they brought their car in,” says Michael Crossen, a mechanic at CR’s Auto Test Center who is also an ASE-certified master technician with years spent working in dealership service departments. “Make sure to ask if they have experience working on your car model.” Ask about the kind of work they do, such as quick service, oil changes, and brake pad/rotor changes, or if they have a more skilled technician who can handle electronic components and driveability diagnoses. While those are more involved services that you may not need right at the moment, you might need them in the future.

Give the shop a trial run. When you’ve narrowed down your choices to a few shops, try them out for smaller repairs or maintenance work, such as oil or filter changes. Note how well the mechanics treat your car and how well they communicate with you. Ibbotson says this approach allows you to develop rapport with the shop and gives its technicians an opportunity to get to know your car, its service schedule, and any developing problems it may have.

Ask about warranties. See whether the shop stands behind its work with a guarantee of some kind. To compare shops, inquire about their warranty for a common repair, such as brake work. “A good shop will have a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on most repairs, and even longer on others,” Long says. “This is how you can ensure that the shop stands behind their work and the parts they’re using.”

The Federal Trade Commission has helpful information on auto warranties and service contracts. 

Getting the right repairs at a fair price depends partly on communicating with your mechanic. Here’s what to say and expect:

Describe the problem fully. Provide as much information as possible. Write down the symptoms and when they occur. If possible, talk directly to the mechanic who will be working on your car.

Don’t offer a diagnosis. Avoid saying what you think is causing the problem. You may be on the hook for any repairs the shop makes at your suggestion, even if it doesn’t solve the problem.

Request a test drive. If the problem occurs only when the car is moving, ask the mechanic to accompany you.

Ask for evidence. If you’re not comfortable with the diagnosis, ask the shop to show you how it was determined. Worn brake pads or rusted exhaust pipes are easy to see. Don’t let the mechanic refuse your request by saying that his insurance company doesn’t allow customers into the work area. Insist on evidence anyway.

Avoid confusion. There are ways to make sure you’re not being overcharged for repairs beyond basic maintenance, such as oil changes. Start by checking CR’s Car Repair Assistant to find out roughly how much a specific repair should cost in your area. Compare that with a written estimate from your mechanic. Ask for an estimate that breaks out the cost of parts and labor.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ibbotson says there may be a good reason that a repair estimate is more than you anticipated. Keep in mind that a cheaper fix might not always be the best one. A good shop might use parts covered by longer warranties or have uniquely qualified technicians.

Go independent—but sometimes a dealership is a better choice. You might get a better price from an independent mechanic if going somewhere other than the dealership won’t void the warranty. But you should remember that dealers sometimes have special tools and diagnostic equipment that independent shops don’t have. The best check is a trustworthy mechanic who isn’t afraid to answer questions or explain the work they’re doing, Ibbotson says. A trustworthy mechanic will also be up front with you about when it’s time to take your car to a more specialized repair facility, such as a new-car dealer or a transmission shop, when the scope of the job is something they can’t handle.