Modern cars need little maintenance and most car owners are using their dealer’s car service. But many of the car owners don’t know that the dealers are usually the most expensive car service providers and often you can find a repair shop that is cheaper and yet can deliver the same level of service as the dealer. If you live in the UK, the best place to find a reputable service provider is through the online service cost comparison websites. On this websites, you can search and choose between hundreds of car servicing technicians and choose one that you like the most. Did you know that there are some repair shops that charge two or three times more than other repair shops for the same job? With price comparison sites like MyCarNeedsA for example you can compare the different prices. It is a very simple website to use; you will just need to enter your registration number and the work that your car needs. The rest is up to the service providers that are partnered with the site. What I mean by this is that you won’t have to search for every car service provider individually; instead, the qualified car servicing providers will bid to work on your vehicle.
Whether you’ve already chosen a car repair shop or not, the following tips will help you handle your auto repairs in the best possible way.
- Before choosing a car technician, compare prices
As mentioned, look through a various car technicians and repair shops before you choose the right one. Always compare the prices and see how much the difference between prices offered by the service providers is. This is especially true for major repairs, like clutch replacement or brake replacement, for example. Even if you want a MOT certificate for your car, always compare the prices between the different MOT technicians before you choose.
- Develop a professional relationship with your chosen service provider/repair shop
Deal with the service provider in a business- like way. This is especially important for the first few years, while you are getting acquainted. Always be thorough and professional in your dealing with the shop.
- Give a detailed description of your car’s symptoms
Before you take your car for a repair or service at your chosen car technician, take the time to evaluate and write down all of your car’s symptoms into a detailed description. Then give a copy to the technician, and keep a copy for yourself as well.
- Talk directly to the repair technician who will be working on the car
If you’ve chosen a repair facility that’s larger and has a lot of car technician, find out which one of them will be in charge for fixing your vehicle and talk directly to him. This will help you and him to get acquainted with your vehicle’s situation better.
- Get a written estimate in advance
Either get a written estimate in advance or write on the repair ticket that no work is to be done without your approval based on a written estimate. Be sure to attach the description of the car’s symptoms to the estimate.
- Request an invoice
Before you pay any bill, ask for an invoice that will have details for all the parts and labor that the repair shop has provided.