How to Save Money on Car Repairs
Maintenance tips from CR's experts
CR’s chief mechanic, John Ibbotson, says it’s risky to try to get a “deal” on auto repair. While you might save hundreds of dollars, the work may not be good, leading to potentially bigger problems down the road. But there are ways to handle repairs your car needs before they snowball into something worse and save a few bucks in the process.
Ask your shop for a discount. You may be able to get a lower price just by asking for coupons and straight-up discounts. Plead your case. Tell them the repair is expensive for you, says Mike Crossen, a CR mechanic. According to CR’s repair shop survey, independent shops and some chains were rated highly for their discounts. Independent shops also received favorable scores for their willingness to negotiate, while the dealerships we were able to rate received dismal scores.
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Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
