(Flickr<\/u><\/span><\/a>)<\/p>\n

Even if it\u2019s not exactly the most high-tech model of recent years, your car is probably among the most expensive things you own. To keep such a valuable asset in the best possible condition, you\u2019re going to need to take it to a mechanic for maintenance every now and then. Unfortunately, modern auto shops can be a pretty good place for getting ripped off, so here are some tips to avoid it!<\/p>\n

Shop Around<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Free Stock Photos<\/u><\/span><\/a>)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re passionate about driving, then every minute that goes by with your car out of action may feel like agony! However, if you want to make sure you\u2019re keeping your repair costs down as much as possible, it\u2019s essential that you take your time looking at all your options. From little independent auto shops all the way up to nationwide chains, there are countless establishments which can be a little less than ethical when it comes to pricing up repairs. Asking some of your friends and family for recommendations is usually a good place to start. Even if they can\u2019t point you towards a great mechanic, they\u2019ll probably be able to tell you where not<\/i> to go based on experience. These days, there are also many comparison and review tools you can use such as Whocanfixmycar<\/u><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Make Up your Own Mind<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Flickr<\/u><\/span><\/a>)<\/p>\n

Before you actually take your car in for any work, I recommend paying a potential auto shop a visit in order to gauge what you\u2019d be getting yourself into. A clean lot with healthy turnover is generally a good sign. Mechanics who take pride in the appearance of their shop will take pride in the quality of their work too. If the lot is totally clean, the work floor itself is nice and tidy, and you don\u2019t see any half-repaired bangers around, then the mechanic should definitely make your \u201cmaybe\u201d pile. A professional service writer is also a pretty good sign. If you weren\u2019t already aware, the service writer is the guy at the front desk, whose job it is to draw up estimates and repair bills<\/u><\/span><\/a> for you, the customer. If they\u2019re not very helpful, or they don\u2019t seem to know what they\u2019re talking about in terms of the actual faults, then leave them be and find someone else.<\/p>\n

Retain Some Control<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Pixabay<\/u><\/span><\/a>)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing a crooked mechanic likes to hear more than \u201cdo whatever needs to be done.\u201d If you say this or something similar, you\u2019ll pretty much be giving them permission to do all kinds of expensive work on your car, and slap you with the hefty bill afterwards. Sure, your car may run better than it\u2019s ever done after the fact. However, your bank account certainly isn\u2019t going to look too appealing! Try to learn a little<\/u><\/span><\/a> about the problems you\u2019re having before you take the car into the auto shop, and make sure you understand everything on your quote before agreeing to it. It will take more effort, but keeping some control is important to make sure you don\u2019t get ripped off!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Pixabay<\/u><\/span><\/a>)<\/p>\n

Keep these tips in mind, and you\u2019ll be able to rest easy knowing you\u2019re getting a fair deal from your mechanic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Flickr) Even if it\u2019s not exactly the most high-tech model of recent years, your car is probably among the most expensive things you own. To keep such a valuable asset in the best possible condition, you\u2019re going to need to… Continue Reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":597,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n