How do you select a reliable mechanic?

sally365 · 10-03-2015 9:45pm #1

Hi,

Might sound like a simple question but how do you select a reliable/trustworthy mechanic?

Is there any qualifications or standards one should look for when dealing with a mechanic?

Thanks.

Uncle Ben · 10-03-2015 9:49pm

sally365 wrote: »

Hi,

Might sound like a simple question but how do you select a reliable/trustworthy mechanic?

Is there any qualifications or standards one should look for when dealing with a mechanic?

Thanks.

I've used the same one over a lot of years. He's now like my doctor, I trust him a lot, on diagnosis, parts and prices.

Atlantic Dawn · 10-03-2015 9:51pm

Word of mouth would be best place to start, see who your friends or neighbours get.

sally365 · 10-03-2015 9:57pm

Thanks, i'll ask around, the word of mouth advice hasn't done me any favours of late

In terms of standards - this there much a thing as a certified mechanic (From an Association) ? - It's just I need to be sure that my brakes are 100% as I have an issue with them

Uncle Ben · 10-03-2015 10:03pm

sally365 wrote: »

Thanks, i'll ask around, the word of mouth advice hasn't done me any favours of late

In terms of standards - this there much a thing as a certified mechanic ? - It's just I need to be sure that my brakes are 100% as I have an issue with them

As the other poster said, enquire locally. In this day and age of ncts most people would be using mechanic's more frequently than before. And when you find a good mechanic stick with them. The good will will pay dividends in years to come.

toyotaavensis · 11-03-2015 6:35am

OP where are you and people her might be able to advise you?

arthur daly · 11-03-2015 11:45am

Word of mouth is usually the best but since that's not a option you can really only find a mechanic to inspect your car then try a few more.
Some of them will just replace part after part untill they find the problem,lucky brakes are usually not a huge deal to fix,what's your problem someone here might be able to give you a fairly good idea what's wrong before you chase mechanics.

I know a girl who went to a garage before nct and the brakes were a little spongey the mechanic wanted to do all sorts for a nice 400e
Turns out a tiny leak in a brake hose and bleeding them fixed the problem

Fatswaldo · 11-03-2015 12:33pm

You need to get a mechanic who is genuinely interested in what he does. IMO too many just going through the motions, just change out a failed part rather than discover why it failed in the first place. I like mechanics with dirty hands not computer programmers:D
Recommendations are the best way - find a good guy and stick with him.

Special Circumstances · 11-03-2015 12:45pm

Fatswaldo wrote: »

I like mechanics with dirty hands not computer programmers:D

I REALLY don't think the Ireland is suffering a glut of mechanics with too much understanding of automotive electronics at the expense of wrench skills!

myshirt · 11-03-2015 1:14pm

arthur daly wrote: »

Some of them will just replace part after part untill they find the problem

Unfortunately, this is true. And it is a shame. You are paying top dollar while this chap still learns his trade.

Plain and simply, mechanic involved should say 'this is your problem, your options are A B & C, and I recommend X', or, 'Look, hands up, I can't do this' and refer onwards - that's the ultimate bottom line. And that's what people pay for. Recommendations. Solutions. Options. Not a fella who'll try this, try that, and you can fund it.

And educate the customer as to what is involved in the job, as most are clueless.

dieselbug · 11-03-2015 2:16pm

sally365 wrote: »

Hi,

Might sound like a simple question but how do you select a reliable/trustworthy mechani

Is there any qualifications or standards one should look for when dealing with a mechanic?

Thanks.

The experiences of others is still your best bet. Reputation will be the best indicator regardless of any qualification, certification. If you give an idea of your location I,m sure someone will be able to make a recommendation.

Make and model of the car might also be helpful as some garages, mechanics will specialise.

Good to see you have your priorities right in looking for reliable/trustworthy rather than just the cheapest available.

good luck.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

stefanovich · 11-03-2015 2:30pm

What about SIMI. Does membership increase the chances they will be reliable?

For Forks Sake · 11-03-2015 2:32pm

stefanovich wrote: »

What about SIMI. Does membership increase the chances they will be reliable?

No. SIMI is a lobby group for car dealers. They couldn't give a flying f0ck about customers.

walus · 11-03-2015 2:57pm

I'd say word of mouth is the way. On top of that when I use a new mechanic I always ask him to check and replace part that I know for certain does not need mending. If he comes back and says that it is still good to go for another couple of thousand miles and is against replacing it could be a good indication that he is a sound guy. That said I keep on coming back to the same guy these past 10 years and have not had to conduct my "quality" tests for a long time now.

Fatswaldo · 11-03-2015 3:42pm

Special Circumstances wrote: »

I REALLY don't think the Ireland is suffering a glut of mechanics with too much understanding of automotive electronics at the expense of wrench skills!

My experience says differently unfortunately. Computer says part x is registering a fault. change part x, good to go? I'll agree to differ though rather than start an opinion war.

Special Circumstances · 11-03-2015 3:51pm

Gotcha, I thought you meant too much knowledge of the electronics systems at the expense of good old spanner work, and rather than just too much trust in their diagnostic gadget.

H3llR4iser · 11-03-2015 4:39pm

It's difficult - in general, one should look for a mechanic that enjoys what he does and takes pride in it; You'll be sure that kind of guy will do a mighty fine job.

I went to a couple in the past around Cork who fitted the bill spectacularly - they clearly had extensive experience with every aspect of the car's maintenance and repair, up to the point of correctly identifying issues just by description; always took time to explain the problem(s) in detail, what could be done, what they'd do if it was their car and so on.

They'd also spot the guy that is not the "average clueless customer" and, after the work was done, they'd take time to show me what they did (car up on the inspection bridge et all, going step by step), the parts they took out and their conditions and so on.

For various reasons now, they both are unavailable to me - one took a different job, and the other one is going to a different brand's main dealer (the fellow Alfisti here know who I am talking about). I am myself now left to look for a new "guy" to take care of the bigger jobs on my 159.

Very easy to spot a bad mechanic, 'though:

- The ones always offering the cheapest solution without you asking (e.g. "Sure we can replace that with an aftermarket/chinese spare!") - Give me the proper solution first, and then the option;
- Rolling eyes and questions like "why did you buy a Fiat/Alfa/Renault/Peugeot etc." if you drive in with anything that's not Japanese, a VW or a Skoda;
- The ones who assume you are clueless use it as an excuse to avoid explaining what they need to do;

How do you select a reliable mechanic?

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