The Balance Everyday
How to Find a Good Mechanic
  • Contests
    • Basics
    • Win Money
    • Dream Vacations
    • Scams
    • View All
  • Frugal Living
    • Household Savings
    • Food Savings
    • Do-It-Yourself
    • Money Management
    • View All
  • Freebies
    • Samples
    • Food
    • Movies and TV
    • Home & Garden
    • View All
  • Couponing
    • Basics
    • Tips
    • Food Savings Coupons
    • Mobile Coupons
    • View All
visit our other sites
Frugal Living
  • Transportation
  • Basics
  • Bargain Shopping
  • Household Savings
  • Do-It-Yourself
  • Grocery Savings
  • Food Savings
  • Ingredients
  • Money Management
  • Frugal Fun
  • Beauty & Health Care
  • Clothing
  • Holidays & Celebrations
  • Holiday Sales
  • How to Save
  • All Frugal Living
    Frugal Living Transportation

    How to Find a Good Mechanic

    • Share
    • Flip
    • Pin
    • Email
    By Erin Huffstetler
    Updated June 13, 2018

    A good mechanic can help to keep your car running longer and save you money on repairs. Use these tips to find a mechanic that you can trust to do right by you and your car.

  • 01
    Find Out Who Services the Big Business Fleets in Your Area

    Portrait of a mechanic at work in his garage
      Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images 

    Delivery vans, taxis, company cars, government vehicles – they all have to stay on the road, so you better believe they're taken to a good mechanic when they need maintenance work or repairs.​

    Do a little digging to figure out who services the big fleets in your area. Then, consider taking your business there. Not sure how to find out? Just ask a few drivers who their company uses.

  • 02
    Search for a Good Mechanic Online

    The Mechanics Files over on CarTalk is a great place to look for a mechanic recommendation or to check up on a mechanic that you're considering. It features reviews of over 30,000 mechanics!

  • 03
    Choose Someone From the AAA-Approved Auto Repair Network

    Even if you don't have AAA, choosing a shop from their Approved Auto Repair Network can be a great way to vet a mechanic. All participating shops must offer 12 month/12,000 mile warranties on all repairs, use ASE or manufacturer-certified technicians and pass an annual AAA inspection.

  • 04
    Look Up ASE and Manufacturer-Certified Shops

    When a mechanic is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the manufacturer of the particular make of car that they work on or both, that's a pretty good indication that they know their stuff.

  • 05
    Check With the Better Business Bureau

    Once you've narrowed it down to a few mechanics, do a quick search on the Better Business Bureau website to check up on their ratings and reviews.

  • 06
    Interview Your Prospective Mechanic

    Before you hand over your keys, ask your mechanic all of those questions that you have on your mind:

    • How many years have they been in business? How many years of experience do they have?
    • Do they guarantee their work? What sort of warranties do they offer?
    • Are all of their mechanics ASE-certified? What type of training do their mechanics have?
    • What types of parts do they use: new, used, OEM, after-market?
    • Can you provide your own parts?
    • What types of vehicles or work do they specialize in
    • Are estimates free? Are there certain types of inspections that you'll have to pay for?
    • Do they offer loaner cars or a free shuttle while your car is in the shop?
    • Do they guarantee their estimates
    • Do they have different labor rates for different times/different types of work?
    • What are their payment policies?

  • 07
    Start Small

    The best time to find a mechanic is before anything major happens. If your car is running smoothly now, use your next scheduled maintenance task–oil change, tire rotation, etc.–to test out a mechanic's skills and professionalism.

    Need to start the relationship with a major repair? Ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable, and make sure he shows you what's broken. A reputable mechanic should be willing to do whatever it takes to put you at ease and gain your confidence.

  • Person using gas pump

    How to Squeeze More MPG Out of Your Car

  • 4 Tips for Using Costco Travel

  • tiresign.jpg

    Need to Replace Your Tires? Use These Tips to Save

  • Gas Pump

    Gas-Savings Tips You Haven't Heard

  • Child on airplane with mother

    The Best Tips to Save Money on Family Travel

  • 2016 Chevrolet Volt

    What's a hybrid vehicle and how do they work?

  • Close-Up Of Mechanic

    Where Can I Find a Car Maintenance and Repair Log?

  • Semi-trucks parked at truck stop, dawn

    How Air Conditioning in Your Car May Impact Your Fuel Consumption

  • Man pumping gas

    What Are Flexible-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)?

  • Woman talking on cell phone by vegetables in supermarket

    How to Find Coupons Online That You'll Actually Use

  • Shopping for a refrigerator

    How Long Things Are Supposed to Last

  • 7 Steps to Better Record-Keeping

  • Older couple shopping at outdoor market

    8 Tips to Help You Snag the Best Deals at Flea Markets

  • Airplane tickets

    How to Find Cheap Airfare and Last-Minute Deal Busters

  • Woman Throwing Money in the Air

    Find Out If You Have Any Unclaimed Money

  • Get Info on the Best Deals and Discounts Not in Apple's Retail Stores

Our Best Money Tips, Delivered
You're in! Thanks for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Facebook Pinterest Twitter Flipboard Linkedin
  • Contests
  • Frugal Living
  • Freebies
  • Couponing
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
Also from The Balance Team
The Balance
The Balance Small Business
The Balance Careers
The Balance Everyday is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
  • Lifewire
  • ThoughtCo
  • TripSavvy
  • The Spruce
  • and more