No matter how carefully you take care of your car, problems are guaranteed to happen. And when your car breaks down or needs a few repairs, you need a dependable, quality mechanic immediately.
A great car mechanic is out there – you just need to find them. When you’re searching for a mechanic, use the following resources.
1. The Mechanic’s Files
Start your search for a mechanic at the Mechanic’s Files. This website is home to the largest collection of mechanic reviews found online today – and there are reviews for more than 30,000 mechanics located all over the country.
The Mechanic’s Files makes it incredibly easy to search for and find a mechanic. You just need to enter your location and the distance you’re willing to travel to get to a mechanic. You can also narrow your search thanks to the site’s ability to search for mechanics by name and the types of services they provide. Then, you’ll get a list of relevant mechanics in your area so you can browse customers’ reviews and decide which is your best bet.
2. Better Business Bureau
When you’re looking for information on any business, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a great place to start. This organization was founded to improving marketplace trust and help consumers. You can use the BBB’s website to find reviews and overall customer satisfaction scores on virtually any type of business, including auto repair shops and mechanics.
When looking for a mechanic on the BBB website, you only need to input your location and type in the type of business you’re looking for. This will give you a list of local mechanics to choose from. You’ll be able to then see all of the local auto repair shops as well as their Better Business Bureau rating. Each auto repair center will have a rating from A+ to F. The ratings are based on a variety of factors, including overall customer satisfaction and how the company resolves customer issues.
3. AAA’s Approved Auto Repair Network
The American Automobile Association, or AAA, is a group of motor clubs located throughout North America. The organization has millions of members, all of whom receive a variety of services to help with their automotive needs, including help finding a mechanic online through the AAA website.
If you need a reputable mechanic, the AAA website is a great tool – it’s home to information on all AAA verified auto repair shops. You can input your location, the distance you’re willing to travel, and search for your specific auto needs. You’ll then be provided with a list of mechanics that match your filters.
The AAA website goes above and beyond simply giving you certified mechanics, though. AAA members also get information about discounts you can receive at each local repair center. You can also use the website’s auto repair estimator that provides you with a car repair estimate based on your repair needs, location, and type of car.
4. National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is an organization that provides professional certification specifically for auto repair shops and professionals. Those that have received the top level of certification get a “Blue Seal” from ASE to show customers they’re top notch.
You can use the ASE website to find “Blue Seal” certified mechanics. At the website, you can input your location and search radius to see a list of all mechanics that meet your specifications. You can then click on each mechanic to learn more about the services they provide, hours of operation, and location. One of the main advantages of the ASE website is you’ll receive a list of ASE-certified repair centers. Given the fact that this certification is hard to achieve, being listed is an achievement and shows only quality auto repair centers.
Conclusion
In addition to searching online for mechanics via sites like these, don’t forget to actually talk with the new mechanic you choose. Be sure to ask them questions about their experience working on vehicles like yours, their skill and experience in repairing issues like yours, and what they specialize in. You can also read more customer reviews online, seeing just how great of a service the mechanic offers.
Turning to sites like the four listed above will alleviate the headache of finding a local mechanic – and using these search sites will also ensure you don’t have to deal with the potential disasters that can come from handing your car over to a dishonest or unskilled auto repair shop.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
