The story goes like this: your first car is tantamount to your first love. You will take wonderful care of it and make sure that it is running in pristine condition. However, if you have ever owned more than one car, you know that this isn’t necessarily true. Every single car you buy is precious. It is more than just a transportation device to get you from point A to B. It is like a family member that needs loving and care. That is why many car owners are attached to their mechanics.
Since vehicle repair is a service oriented field, finding a great car mechanic who always delivers value for money is not something you should take for granted. Those who have ever had to move from one vehicle repair shop to another know just how tough it is to find a trusted mechanic. One who will not only go above and beyond to make sure that your vehicle is running smoothly, but do so without adding on extravagant and unnecessary costs. Maybe you have moved towns; changed vehicle brands or just need to find a new mechanic for one reason or another, finding a reputable vehicle repair shop should be a priority. With that in mind, here are a few wonderful tips that will help you find a great mechanic in Singapore.
Focus on your brand of vehicle
Although there are mechanics who can pretty much fix any type of car, it is often best to find one who specializes in your brand of vehicle. This is particularly true if you have one of those specialized brands like a BMW or a high end sports car. Even though you could probably take it to any regular mechanic for minor repairs and checkups, finding a specialized shop is often more advisable since they have the latest training in vehicle manufacture and repair technology from the parent brand. This way you know that they can adequately cater for your specific vehicle brand.
Get referrals and recommendations
Since this is a service oriented industry, one of the best ways to find a wonderful vehicle repair shop is to ask around. Talk to your family, friends and colleagues. People who have had prior experience with various auto repair shops in Singapore will readily tell you whether or not the experience was good or bad. Getting referrals from people you trust puts you in a good position to find a mechanic you can trust. Make a list and then visit the various shops one by one before you make your decision. Another option would be to get a recommendation from your vehicle parent company. This is particularly true if you have a specialized brand like Lamborghini or Porsche. These brands have pre-qualified mechanics in various countries and they are always ready to share this information with their clients. This way you do not have to wonder around looking for a mechanic; the vehicle company will recommend a pre-qualified one to you.
Look up the company’s reputation
Regardless of your source of referral, you still have to do some due diligence of your own. Just because your friend or college tells you that the company is good at vehicle repair does not necessarily mean that they are an all-round great company. Their experience could be the exception to the rule. You must look up the company’s reputation before you decide whether or not to use them. One of the best ways to do this is to go online and search for reviews. The internet has become a great resource and any company guilty of mistreating their customers in any way can no longer hide in the shadows. It is however, important to note that one bad experience does not mean that the company is generally bad. Every now and again, you are going to find people who are just not satisfied with whatever a vehicle repair shop provides. If the majority of the reviews are great, then the next step is to look at how the company handles customer complaints. If the complaints are resolved speedily and in a professional manner, then you should probably use that company.
Ask to see qualifications
Even though it is assumed that every mechanic is qualifies, it never hurts to ask for their credentials. The best mechanics are always up to date and speed with the latest vehicle repair technology and training. If these qualifications are not visibly displayed out in the open, feel free to ask for them and to inquire into their qualifications and on-going training or certification. Do they offer a warranty for their work? The very best mechanics are confident in the kind of work they do. Thus they will never shy away from offering some kind of warranty on the jobs they do. Some offer a warranty up 6 or 12 months and others even guarantee a free tune-up should you develop any mechanical problems within a certain period of time after getting your vehicle from their repair shop.
Try them out at least once
One of the best ways to determine whether or not a mechanic is honest is to try them out at least once. Make sure to make some time for the first vehicle repair visit. Even if you are not as vehicle-savvy as the mechanic, the best in the business are always willing to explain to you what the problem is and what it is they are doing about it. If the mechanic is very comfortable sharing this information with you and letting you watch them work, then you can trust that they are honest and will not heap on unnecessary additional charges. Your vehicle is an important part of your life. It only makes sense to take great care of it and only trust its repair to the best of the best in the business. Finding a trustworthy, qualified and highly effective mechanic may take some looking, but it is worth the effort. It could save you a great deal of money and a whole lot of headache.