When you bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop, you want to know that the auto repair technicians are qualified. Have they had sufficient training – the latest training? Do they have experience?

Years ago, there was a television commercial where a dopey looking guy in dirty coveralls says something to the effect of “Gee boss, I never did fix an automatic transmission before.”

When you bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop, you want to know that the auto repair technician isn’t even a distant cousin of the fellow making the statement in the previous paragraph. More than that, however, you want to know that the auto repair shop isn’t of the fly-by-night variety.

A quality auto repair shop will have systems in place to ensure that your vehicle is properly repaired and/or maintained. In the process, they’ll make sure that you are treated with courtesy and compassion.

When your vehicle requires repairs and/or maintenance, it’s usually an inconvenience. Sometimes, it’s also costly, depending on the nature of your car’s problem.


An efficient and effective auto repair shop system will include:

• A courteous and knowledgeable person who answers the phones. This person isn’t always an auto repair technician themselves but knows how to get the answers you required and will communicate that information accurately and understandably.
• When you drop off your vehicle, you may need a ride – someone to drop you off and pick you up when the work is done. Does the auto repair shop have drop-off and pick-up service?
• Does the auto repair shop have the latest auto repair equipment and, particularly, the equipment that is required for your car’s year, make and model? They’ll also have up-to-date computer systems and software to maintain accurate records of what work is done to your vehicle and when.
• Will they protect your vehicle while it is in their care? This starts with safe operation of the vehicle on the auto repair shop grounds or when road testing. You’ll want to know that they’re insured to operate your vehicle and that they’ll keep the car clean, particularly the interior. No one likes getting in their car only to find the auto repair technician got grease all over the seats or steering wheel.
• Will they provide you with a written estimate of required repairs and will they stick to that script, only deviating if they find a problem and receive your approval to continue.
• Will they complete the work when and according to the estimate that was promised?
• Will they use quality parts to repair your vehicle? A quality auto repair shop has an established relationship with a quality auto parts supplier that will promptly deliver or order the parts you vehicle requires.
• Does the auto repair shop perform a check list to make sure all work was done, done properly and the vehicle is safe to operate on the road? This probably includes the aforementioned test drive.

You can bring your vehicle for service anywhere you want. When you choose where to bring it, make sure you bring it to a qualified and professional auto repair shop that takes its work seriously enough to develop the systems necessary to ensure all-around quality and a positive experience.