Car Repair: Easy Ways to get Good Value for Your Money
There's always some inconvenience and some risk in getting your car repaired — learn how to improve your odds of getting a good value.
When it comes to auto repair many of us are aware of some of the trade-offs between convenience, security and price, but we don't know enough to feel comfortable with our decisions and we realize we're not really in control. There's always some inconvenience and some risk. The trends are favorable, however, and there are easy ways to improve the odds of getting good value for your money.
Reliability at a Price
Reliability is just one factor you consider in buying a car and it's just one factor manufacturers consider in designing one. Cars are getting more reliable even as they get more complex, thanks to technical advances, but they also cost more--more to buy and more to maintain, even though less service is required. Either technicians need more equipment and more training for diagnosis and repair, or expensive modular units must be replaced. If something unexpected needs attention, getting at it can be time-consuming. Styling and performance needs often compromise ease of repair. Replacing a headlight isn't always easy these days. In many ways automobiles are becoming like the small household appliances that say "Attention: Do Not Disassemble. No user-serviceable parts inside."
A Changing Industry
These changes to cars have changed and shrunk the auto repair industry. Gas stations are more likely to sell bread than tune-ups. Dealers are getting more of the business. (Longer warranties have helped them, too.) Independent shops have had to specialize. Hourly labor rates have climbed dramatically. Franchises have acquired new pieces of the market: mufflers, tires, transmissions, tune-ups, oil changes, etc. With more choices, more specialization and less frequent service needs, we are less apt to know a repair facility through long personal experience. Without that experience we must rely on other people's opinions, appearances, ads, guarantees and legal protections.
Trade-Offs
Price, convenience, features, reputation--the same factors are important in choosing a repair facility as any other service or product. No one else will balance these factors quite the same way you do, but other people's opinions are important. Ask around, look around. Here are some general tendencies:
- Dealerships. Highest prices, best facilities. Often located far from employment centers. May offer shuttle services but seldom loaner cars. Best access to parts and latest factory service bulletins. Specialization--service manager, team leader, service technician, cashier--can make it difficult to relay the symptoms of a problem to the person doing the work or to get a complaint resolved, or it can help everyone do more of what he does best. Most people use a dealer while their car is under warranty, but it is not required.
- Franchises. Often emphasize convenience and speed. Always worth checking for price when you need what they specialize in. Beware of being sold unnecessary parts or service. Help tends to be lower paid and trained in much narrower areas than traditional auto mechanics.
- Independent Shops. The best and the worst. Like new restaurants that get "discovered," a small shop started by a master mechanic may have growing pains once the clientele grows and the mechanic must act as mostly a manager. Avoid places that "specialize in all cars foreign and domestic."
- Service Stations. The ones that do a lot of repair work now usually don't sell a lot of gasoline. Often the cheapest and most convenient for routine services: oil change, tire rotation, coolant, belts and hoses. Be sure they can get the right parts on time at a fair price before committing for major work.
Legal Protection
If you shop carefully and match your needs to the repair facility, problems should be rare. The nature of the business makes some disputes inevitable, however, and some places are dishonest. Here are some legal rights you should be aware of:
- Written Estimate. Most states require written estimates and forbid charging much more than the estimate without your further authorization. If diagnosis requires tearing down your car's engine or transmission, be sure you are clear what will happen and what it will cost if you decide not to go ahead with repairs. Never sign a blank work order.
- Replaced Parts. You should look at or take back your replaced parts. Most states require that they be offered to you. Have a mechanic elsewhere check them if you suspect the part's didn't come off your car or didn't need replacing.
- Warranties. Take the car back if the problem isn't fixed. Everybody hates "comebacks," but they're part of the business.
- Mechanic's Lien. With rare exceptions, you'll have to pay what the repair shop says you owe to get your car back. If there's a dispute, it's usually necessary to pay the whole amount and then sue in small claims court for a refund. It may seem unfair but it sure helps mechanics get paid. Call your lawyer for advice.
Source: National Resource Center for Consumers of Legal Services.