Your car breaks down.
Now what? You're already late for work, the kids need to go to school and without even needing to say it, it IS Monday.
We have all been there, know that sinking feeling in your stomach when you are late, kids are late and you do not have a CLUE where to take your car.
Well hopefully a few helpful ideas will help you select a good mechanic.
First of all, ask your friends.
Who do they go see? What do they say? Is the local garage they go to centrally located? Meaning in our area, its not on the way on the South Side of town, or the North Side or way out in the Valley, is it somewhere in the middle? I do not mean in someones back yard either.
An actual business, with a sign and everything! Do not get me wrong, there are some backyard mechanics that are good.
Heck, I used to be one! However, I have found in my many years turning wrenches, that unless that backyard mechanic knows what they are doing, they will inevitably cost you MORE money in the long run that if you had taken it to an accredited mechanic in the first place.
Back to the questions, who do they go see? How long have they been taking their cars there? Is it a neighborhood mechanic? Meaning, if its in neighborhood, you could ask the guy at the local gas station when you fill up your car not just your friend.
You will get a truly honest answer asking someone randomly who is not expecting it.