If you’ve just gotten into an accident, you’re probably going to need to dish out some serious money to get your car repaired.
Even with car insurance, you’ll likely still have a ton of expenses to pay off, and auto collision repair can easily cost you thousands of dollars.
But you can also save a lot of that money by doing your research before going to a repair shop. Mechanics can easily rip you off if you aren’t careful, and you definitely don’t want to be spending more money than you need to.
So, be smart about getting your car repaired and do all the research you can before making a decision on a shop.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of seven tips for choosing the best auto collision repair shop.
Tips for Choosing an Auto Collision Repair Shop
Whether you’ve just gotten into an accident or your car starts making weird noises, you need to be sure you’re taking your car to the best mechanic in town.
You need to find a shop that is both honorable and affordable, so you’re not scammed out of your hard-earned cash.
Here are seven tips to consider when choosing an auto collision repair shop.
1. Ask for Recommendations
You can save a lot of time and money if you have friends or family who know about the best auto shops in your area.
If you know someone who is a car expert, talk with them about what issues you’re having with your car and see what they recommend.
You can even bring your car expert friend along with you to the shop to make sure the mechanics aren’t trying to run you dry for things your car doesn’t even need.
2. Compare Prices
One of the biggest factors in choosing an auto collision repair shop is how much they are going to charge you. bring your car to different shops and have them give you an estimate on the price for repair.
If one shop charges more than another, ask this company to explain why they are charging more. It might be because they provide a higher quality of service, or they could be trying to rip you off. So, be cautious.
3. Certifications
Not all auto shops are going to have legitimate certified mechanics. Be sure to ask each shop what certifications they have to make sure you’re getting a quality mechanic.
Also, look for shops with specified experience. If you have a specific type of car that needs repair, look for a shop that specializes in that type of car.
If you have a mechanic that has a ton of experience working on your car model, that’s a much better option than a mechanic who has never done work on your car before.
4. Check Warranty
When you sign a lease or gain ownership of your car, you’ll also have signed a warranty agreement. Sometimes these agreements are specific on what kind of repairs can be done to your car.
It may limit which shops you can go to because you need a shop affiliated with your dealership.
It’s important to make sure whatever repairs you’re getting on your car are in compliance with the warranty, or else the agreement will be violated and voided.
If you’re unsure about what repairs can be done on your car, call the dealership where you purchased your vehicle and ask them directly.
5. Check Out Online Reviews
If you don’t have any recommendations from friends, it’s important to read a company’s online reviews to see what other people’s experiences have been.
If a company has a ton of negative reviews, that’s definitely a red flag that they either have low-quality service or will try to overcharge you for their services.
Go to an auto shop that has 4 stars or higher on websites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
6. Make Each Shop Explain the Repairs
When you go in for estimates on your car, the mechanics are going to tell you what is wrong with your car and what needs to be done.
Unless you are a car expert, you’re not going to know most of what they are talking about. But instead of blindly agreeing with them, ask them to expand on what exactly they are going to do.
If they can’t clearly explain why your car needs a specific service that they are selling you, question them some more and then take your car somewhere else.
If a different auto shop does not say you need that service, then that’s a red flag you were being scammed out of some extra money.
7. Weigh the Costs and Benefits
If you can find a shop that’s both inexpensive and provides high-quality service, then that is great and you should definitely go to that shop.
But odds are, you’re either going to need to pay a little extra for superb repair services, or sacrifice the quality of service for a more inexpensive price.
If your car is under warranty, you may be able to take it to your dealership for quality repair service at a reduced price.
If your car isn’t under warranty with your dealership, taking your car to a reputable independent repair shop is the best route to go.
Generally, if you can dish out some extra money for a higher-quality service, then go with that option.
Better service means your car will be more reliable and you won’t have to keep going back for more repairs, costing you more money in the long run.
For Additional Information
Choosing an auto collision repair shop can be stressful and time-consuming, but can really save you money in the long run.
You want to be sure you’re getting a great service for the best price, so it’s important to do all the research you can before deciding on a shop.
If you have any more questions about how to choose the best auto shop for your car repairs, contact us today.