When it comes to your family’s healthcare, do you wait until someone is sick and then find the cheapest, available doctor? If not, then why would you wait until you need a car repair and then scramble to find the cheapest mechanic that’s closest to your house?
Your primary care physician is your first point of contact when you or your family is under the weather. They know your family’s medical history and can treat a wide range of conditions. Just like your family doctor is the first person you call to take care of your health, your family mechanic should be your go-to person to keep your car healthy.
Unexpected car repairs are a major headache. The last thing you want is to wait until you are stranded on the side of the road to find a mechanic that won’t take advantage of your situation. Having a long-term, established relationship with a shop you trust provides invaluable peace of mind when disaster strikes and you need help fast.
Here are the three biggest reasons your car needs a primary mechanic.
#1: They know you, and they know your car.
Just as a primary care physician treats you over a long period of time and knows your medical history, a primary mechanic can more easily diagnose problems and recommend car repairs because they have the full history of your vehicle.
Family doctors who have been with you for years can monitor changes in your health and help you manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. They can also treat issues like a sinus infection, minor injuries and even some surgical procedures.
Your primary mechanic has an intimate understanding of your car’s history and maintenance records and, as a result, can easily diagnose problems and solve them quickly and affordably. They can also provide regular maintenance, which will catch minor issues before they become bigger problems down the road, which can ultimately save you money.
#2: They can take care of you.
Primary care physicians are the first line of defense when you are sick because they can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions — at any point in your life — from the common cold to high blood pressure. Likewise, your primary care mechanic can also handle most of your auto maintenance and repairs including everything from standard oil changes to brake jobs, muffler repairs, belt and hose replacement and much more.
The best shops also offer customized services in addition to standard auto repair. However, no one mechanic does everything. If you need a repair or service that can’t be performed in-house, your primary mechanic can make sure you go to the right place by recommending a trustworthy specialist. (Similar to how your family doctor might refer you to a cardiologist or allergist.)
#3. You have a long-lasting relationship with them.
When you establish a long-term relationship with your mechanic over time, you can always trust that you're getting quality service for a fair price and not being upsold parts and services you don’t really need.
A family mechanic can be trusted to perform regular maintenance on your car, as well as inform you about mechanical issues and recommend necessary repairs.
Try out a shop by having them first perform routine maintenance before having any major work done. As you develop a relationship with your mechanic through preventative maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations, you will have already have established trust when something big goes wrong and you need a major repair.
Choosing a Primary Mechanic
You should approach selecting a family mechanic the same way you would choose a family physician. Read reviews online and ask for recommendations from neighbors, friends and others you trust. Remember: the best choice for you may not always be the cheapest or most convenient. The most important qualities in a mechanic are that they are experienced, honest and trustworthy. Find a shop you trust and that makes you comfortable.
Many Americans use the emergency room as their primary source of care. They don’t seek medical attention until it's urgent; then they go straight to the ER for diagnosis and treatment. Not only is this a more expensive route, but the doctor treating you in the ER often doesn’t have the whole story. They don’t have a complete picture of your medical history.
The same is true with a mechanic. If you wait until you have an emergency car repair to find a quality, trustworthy mechanic, it might be too late. You’ll have to settle for whoever is available.
To learn more about how Rainbow Muffler & Brake can serve as the one-stop shop for your auto repairs, maintenance and custom work, stop in one of our six auto repair shops in Cleveland, Ohio today for a free estimate. We have popular auto repair near Broadway Ave., great auto mechanics located on Nottingham Rd., and many more!
