Things to consider when choosing an auto mechanic

Some people pride themselves on their automotive mechanical savvy, but there are many others who have no idea about what may be wrong when the vehicle makes a strange noise or a warning light comes on.

That is when it may be time to turn to a mechanic or repair shop, a recent blog posted on Safeco Insurance's website said. Mechanics are there because they know things many of us don’t, the posting said, and in almost every instance, the longer we wait after hearing that noise or the warning light flashes, the worse the problem becomes.

The posting said there are some things to consider when choosing a mechanic and question to ask when talking to a mechanic you aren’t familiar with.

Look at the mechanic’s certifications, the posting said. If they can’t present any proof that they’ve gone through a certification process, they aren’t worth going to. Feel free to look up the certification online.

Always look for a mechanic who is willing to guarantee their work, and check out if the mechanic specializes in a certain type of vehicle. It won’t do you any good to take your diesel truck to someone who specializes in hybrids.

Make sure the mechanic can prioritize repairs when there are multiple things wrong. A blunt mechanic can go a long way. Any good shop owner should be able to tell you whether it’s even cost effective to repair a vehicle. Sometimes, it just isn’t worth the expense, the posting said.

You wouldn’t visit a physician who’s office was dirty or in disarray. How does the mechanic’s shop look?

Ask around – generally, word gets out when a shop is particularly good or particularly bad. Also, check out reviews online. For just about any shop, you should be able to find multiple websites which offer various reviews from customers.

Make sure you feel comfortable in the shop. If a mechanic is pressuring you to do something you aren’t sure about, it’s probably time to look elsewhere.