Ever had an oil change turn into a major repair? You take your car to the shop, and you wait…and wait. And just when your name is called and you’re ready to leave—surprise! Your car needs a brake flush, a belt replacement and three new tires.
As a former auto mechanic, I’ve seen this scenario from the other side. Customers always pause and ask, ‘Do I really need all this?’
When you trust your mechanic, that question is much easier to answer.
The first step in choosing a mechanic is finding one. As with most things these days, the best place to start is the web. (There are plenty of sites that list top-rated mechanics by area. See the “Resources” section at the end of this article for some of them.)
If you happen to know someone who owns the same car you do, find out where they take it for service. This can be especially helpful if you drive an import.
Speaking of imports, search for “independent shops” if you drive one. Independent auto shops are highly specialized—they only service vehicles from a single manufacturer or country. They hire expert mechanics, many of whom are trained and certified by European manufacturers. You can’t get your VW fixed inGermany, but an independent auto shop may be the next best thing.
First off, let's talk about preventive maintenance. These are services performed at regular intervals—fluid flushes, filter replacements, tire rotations, etc.—that prevent bigger repairs down the road. The people who built your car have a pre-set plan for these repairs, and you can find it in your owner's manual.
Here's why that's important: If you're told you need an unexpected service, you can get a second opinion from the manufacturer, just by reading your owner's manual. Check to see manufacturer-recommended services for 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles; if the maintenance plan doesn't match what your mechanic is pushing, it might not be an issue.
That said, remember that your car is just a machine. Something will fail unexpectedly—I promise. If a mechanic finds a problem that sounds concerning, but also expensive (a brake failure, for example), give them the benefit of the doubt and…
Many mechanics will gladly take you into the garage to see your car. Ask to see how the part or fluid in question is supposed to look, compare it your car, and use your best judgement. If something’s clearly damaged or faulty, let the shop perform the service.
You may not be allowed into the shop for safety reasons. If that’s the case, ask the mechanic to bring the damaged component (or a photo of it) to you.
Auto technicians should recommend service for the future, but (and here’s the key) good ones will tell you what’s most important to your safety, if anything. Be careful of service centers pushing dozens of “urgent” repairs; failing brakes can kill you, but a wheel alignment can probably wait. If you get a laundry list of service recommendations, ask three questions:
If you've asked these questions and still feel pressured to pay, it might be best to move on to Step 5.
Getting your car in the shop once is frustrating enough, let alone twice. But if repairs are just too expensive, or if your car’s fatal diagnosis sounds fishy, a second opinion from another mechanic is smarter than ignoring the problem. (That is, of course, assuming your car is safe to drive out of the shop...)
When it comes to preventive maintenance, there’s often no middle ground for customers. They either pay blindly, or think it’s completely unnecessary. As with most things, the truth is somewhere in between; yes, there are unscrupulous service centers out there, banking on your lack of knowledge to make commission, but preventive maintenance isn’t a trick to take your money.
I mentioned maintenance plans in Step 2, and that they're usually laid out in 30-, 60-, and 90,000 mile intervals. Hence, the old auto industry term, "30-60-90" services. This isn't to say that your car only needs service at these mile marks, but it's useful in driving home an important point: Your car does need regular check-ups.
Services you need at each interval will vary (again, refer to your owner’s manual), but common examples include:
Why are these important? Take fluid flushes, for example. Your car's brakes, steering, transmission, and engine cooling system are hydraulic, meaning they rely on fluid to function. Fluids become contaminated with debris and water over time, reducing their ability to lubricate and maintain pressure. It’s the reason you need regular oil changes—it gets dirty and can't do its job.
All that to say, don't dismiss preventive maintenance. In the same way you brush your teeth to prevent cavities, your car needs regular maintenance to prevent massive failures.
It's tough to justify shelling out hundreds when, as far as you can tell, your car is running fine. But think of it this way: Your car is, quite literally, a machine you trust your life with. Stick to your car’s maintenance schedule, and find a mechanic you trust to keep it running right.
A few places to start your search for a mechanic.
