These days, keeping a car in good repair requires a skilled professional. Do you just take your car to the nearest garage and hope you'll get the appropriate service you're paying for? A little research and diligence on your part can ensure your not walking into a potential automotive disaster. Here are some of the important things you should be asking about before or during a car repair appointment. Ask about Your Mechanic's Credentials Getting a personal reference to a good mechanic is important, but so is seeing who has legitimate and official credentials in the industry. In particular, you want to see if they have certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, also known as ASE. This means they have proven their skills, and are tested regularly to stay current. Ask for an Estimate A good professional will let you get an estimate before you commit to getting any work done. It's only fair for you to find out what the problem is and how much it will cost, even if it means the mechanic spends time with your car without getting paid. Ask What are My Options? Many car problems can have more than one solution, and a good mechanic will outline each one rather than just present you with the one that makes them the most money. Take advantage of this discussion to weigh the pros and cons of each choice. Ideally, the mechanic will respect your choice and not pressure you to spend more than necessary. On the other hand, they may recommend one particular option because it is genuinely better for the car. Ask Are there Warranties? A good professional will stand behind their work, and an official warranty or guarantee shows that. These can be very different from one shop to another, with no specific standard or format you should be looking for. There can be guarantees for the parts or the service, or for both. If you do get a warranty, save all the paperwork. It makes it much easier to go back and discuss issues if you have the details and documentation with you. When it comes to insuring your car we are ready for your questions! Give us a call today 607-324-7500.