For most of us, our vehicles are more than just a means of transport. That’s why it's very important to make sure we frequently service our vehicles with the best possible care to ensure they remain reliable and in top condition. A crook mechanic can at times be funny in the movies, in real life picking the wrong mechanic can be an inconvenient and costly mistake. Whilst there is no perfect way to ensure a mechanic is right for you, we recommend these 6 suggestions to help guide you into picking someone who is both qualified and reliable.  

1) Recommendations 

A common way to tell if a mechanic is good or not is their reputation through referrals and recommendations. A referral from a family member or close friend provides extra peace of mind in knowing that you can trust that who they recommend are likely to look after your vehicle with diligence and care. A Google search can also help provide a list of all nearby mechanics along with their location and customer reviews. It is best to not only just pick a mechanic with a high star rating, we recommend 4 Star and above, but to pick someone who also has a larger number of positive customer reviews. Also make sure you keep an eye out for positive written feedback.   

2) Location and convenience 

When it comes to finding a repair shop, one of the most important factors you're going to have to consider is the location of your new mechanic. It is always a smart decision to pick someone who is close to your work or home. This will make being without a car just that little bit easier and the last thing you’re going to want to do is drive for a few hours to get to get your car repaired or serviced. 

3) Offers warranty or guarantee 

Always ask your mechanic if they offer any warranty or guarantees on their repairs. The last thing you want to do is pay for a dodgy or faulty repair only to find out that you won't be offered any sort of replacement or refund. It helps provide extra piece of mind as you can more easily trust mechanics or repair shops that guarantee both the quality of their parts and of their work.  

4) Strong communication skills 

Picking a mechanic with strong communication skills is regularly overlooked, as you want to make sure whoever you pick can explain what they are doing in a way you can understand. You also want to build a strong relationship with your chosen mechanic who will give you open and honest communication should there be any additional work required to be done on your car.  

5) Experience, qualifications and knowledge 

Make sure consider the qualifications and experience of your mechanic prior to making a decision on whether you will go with them or not. Unless their training and qualifications are displayed or clearly visible, it is always recommended to enquire about your mechanic’s technical background and experience. Considering there are so many unique vehicles makes and models, there is a large amount of servicing centres which specialise in certain brands and areas of repair. Don’t be afraid in picking a repair location which specialises in your particular cars brand or on the repairs you need done. As cars also get increasingly technologically enabled, make sure your mechanic also has the right knowledge and equipment to undertake works on your car.  

6) Reputable industry membership or affiliations 

It is also a smart decision to also search for a repair centre with memberships or certifications to respected industry associations. Being affiliated to organisations such as the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) or Australian Automobile Repairs Association (AARA) signifies that the auto businesses abide by their high industry standards and code of ethics. For a mechanic, being linked to such organisations helps provide comfort and reassurance to customers in knowing they’ve chosen someone who is part of a large network of trusted mechanics.  

Your vehicle is one of the bigger purchases you will make and is a purchase which you will likely use on a regular basis. It's fair to say it deserves to be taken care of with high quality of care. The recommendations above will help you gain a better understanding of the auto repair market and what to expect from a trustworthy, professional mechanic as well as what type of repair shops to avoid. We hope these simple recommendations can help you choose a knowledgeable mechanic who will get you back on the road quickly, safely and at a fair price.