Having a dependable auto repair shop is just as important as having a doctor and dentist that you can trust. Emergencies happen, so having a relationship with a repair shop before you need one can go a long way toward saving you time and money. You’ll know where to go when your car has a problem, so you won’t be “stuck” with a repair shop you’re not familiar with or end up getting charged much more than you expected. One of the benefits of having a relationship with a reliable repair shop is that you can trust that they’re doing what’s best for your car — and not pushing you into unnecessary repairs.
Having an auto repair shop that you know and trust will also make you more likely to take your car in for regular maintenance. That can save you money in the long run, because routine maintenance will help find small, fixable problems before they become big, expensive repairs. Maintenance can keep your car running longer and lets you keep more money in your bank account.
Best Practices of Cleveland Auto Repair Shops
When you’re looking for expert auto repair in Cleveland, you have many choices. Some people choose their auto repair shop the way they choose the gym where they work out; they look for something in their budget that is close to where they live or work. That sometimes works out, but there are other considerations that should go into choosing the shop you trust your vehicle with. Let’s look at five things to take into consideration when you’re looking for car service in Cleveland, Ohio.
Training and Experience
Don’t trust your car to just anyone. You want to know that your vehicle is receiving expert care from someone who has proper training and the ability to troubleshoot both common and unusual situations. You can start your search by getting recommendations from friends or checking online reviews, but you should also ask your own questions. A shop that cares about your business will answer questions about the training and experience of the people working on your car. At Rainbow Muffler & Brake, each location lists the experience and specialties of its technicians, so you can see exactly what kind of expertise your car will receive.
Trustworthy and Customer-Oriented
Although auto repair shops are in the business of fixing cars, they should also be in the business of putting customers first. A trustworthy auto repair shop should be easy to reach. That includes being easily found online. If you have to leave a voicemail message or contact them via email, they should respond to those messages within a reasonable time frame — the same business day, or the following business day if you call after hours.
A trustworthy repair shop will also be willing to give you a price quote before doing the work — and to put it in writing for you. They can break those numbers down into parts and labor, so you know what you’re paying for, and if your vehicle is under a factory warranty, they’ll be able to tell you what’s covered. In Ohio, if the actual cost of the work goes beyond 10% of the original estimate, the law requires auto repair shops to get the consumer’s permission before doing that work. When you’re doing your homework, confirm that the repair shop will do that.
Good Communication and Willingness to Answer Questions
A quality auto repair shop will maintain good communication before and during the repair process. When you take your car in for service, they should ask questions about the kinds of problems you are experiencing, and you need to feel confident that they’re listening. An expert repair technician will sound a lot like a great doctor; they’ll ask you questions about symptoms, ask you to explain them further and will repeat your answers back to you to make sure they understand the problem.
In addition to asking you questions, they should also be willing to answer your questions. If you’re not sure whether you need to have a certain service performed, or you don’t understand why it’s important, they should take the time to explain it to you and help you understand your options.
Willingness to Stand Behind Their Work
A great repair shop is willing to stand behind the services they provide. That means offering at least a 90-day warranty on parts and services. In Ohio, the law requires that repair shops must abide by any guarantee or warranty they offer, so ask whether the shop you are considering provides a written guarantee/warranty of their work.
Reasonable Prices
Cheapest isn’t always best. Sometimes, it’s a red flag. But you don’t want to overpay for automotive repairs and maintenance either. The right repair shop should be willing to tell you its prices upfront so you can shop around and compare. You might find a wide range of prices and choose to look into a couple of shops in the middle range. It’s also a good idea to see what kind of financing and payment plans they offer. That way, if you need an expensive, important repair done, you’ll know that you won’t have to put it off until you have the money to pay upfront.
Find the Best Option for Your Auto Repair Needs
Taking time to look for an auto repair shop in Cleveland that can meet all of your needs can save you time and money in the long run. To begin your search, see which of our Cleveland area locations is most convenient for you and what it has to offer.
