When a car breaks down unexpectedly, most of us are in a tight spot. Unless you’re something of a car expert, you’re going to need to rely on a local auto mechanic to get your vehicle back in good working order. Given that your automobile is such a huge investment and one that you rely on so frequently, it’s important to bring it to a mechanic that you can trust to repair it to perfection.
How do you separate a good mechanic from a bad one? By asking the right questions! Here are a few great questions to ask an auto mechanic in Minnesota before trusting them to work on your car.
1. “Do you guarantee your work?” – A trustworthy mechanic in Minnesota will always offer a warranty on their work, guaranteeing that the repairs they perform are actually successful. A warranty assures you that even if your vehicle does continue to experience problems, you can bring it back to your mechanic and they will fix it without an additional charge. Auto repair shops that don’t guarantee their work can’t be trusted to do a good job on vehicle repairs.
2. “How long will these repairs take?” – Different auto repair jobs take wildly different times to complete. Some jobs are just tougher than others, and some might require mechanics to order special parts which they don’t carry in the shop. That being said, reliable auto mechanics should be able to have easy repairs completed within a day and more challenging repairs completed within a week at most. If a repair sounds like it’s going to take suspiciously long, ask the mechanic why; if they don’t have a good answer, it might indicate that they’re inefficient.
3. “Is your shop ASE certified?” – The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence provides certification to all auto repair shops that meet their standards for quality of service. Any reputable auto repair shop in Minnesota will be ASE certified. If a mechanic answers “no” to this question or doesn’t even know what “ASE” means, then you should move on to a better one.
4. “Do you install used parts?” – When you need to have components of your vehicle replaced, it’s important to get high-quality new parts that will function properly for years to come. Some auto repair shops try to save a few bucks by working with used parts; ask your mechanic this question and their answer should be an emphatic “no.” Reputable auto mechanics in Minnesota work with brand new auto parts provided by trusted parts suppliers like NAPA.
5. “Will I get a written report of the repairs being made?” – Getting a record of the repairs that your mechanic makes in writing is important for two reasons. One, it allows you to hold mechanics accountable for their work if problems persist with your car. Two, it provides proof that you had the repairs completed if you decide to sell your car. If a mechanic is dodgy about providing a written record of repairs, it may be because they don’t trust their own work; make sure to find a mechanic who does.
The Most Qualified Mechanics in the Twin Cities
If you’ve been searching for a team of skilled and friendly mechanics to service your vehicle, look no further than Arvu Auto. Contact us today if you’d like to schedule an auto repair appointment in the West Minneapolis metro!
