Whether you’re new to the area, or you’re stranded beside the road with a broken-down vehicle, finding a top-quality auto repair shop is critical. Since your car is likely one of your biggest investments, you want to bring it to someone who truly cares and can service it like a pro. Let’s take a look at how to find a shop that will best meet your needs.

What to look for in an auto repair shop

As the old saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. That’s why, when you’re looking for the best auto repair shop, you should look both outside and inside. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and dig deep. The time you spend doing so will be well worth the effort! Here are a few things to look for to get you started:

1. Outside appearances – While the outside isn’t everything, it does count for something. Who wants to go to a repair shop that’s dingy and looks like it’s still stuck in the 70’s? Instead, a shop with a clean, crisp outside will be inviting and give you a clue to how well the owners care for the place.

• Signage – Again, signs aren’t what matters most, but they’re another piece in the puzzle that will give you a clue about the shop. Are the signs clear and new looking, or in disrepair and outdated? Nice looking signs are not only welcoming, but they also say that this shop cares about its reputation.

• Vehicle bays – How many are there? If there’s only one, you might be dealing with a mechanic who just wants a small business. With more than one, however, you know that this shop is accustomed to servicing more than one vehicle at a time. This will be useful if the shop has lots of customers and you want your vehicle back in a timely manner.

• Awards and accomplishments – Most shop owners are proud to display any awards that the shop has won. Look for these to be displayed in the reception area, waiting room, or entranceway. Awards are a good indication that someone else has given them the seal of approval also!

• Cleanliness (inside and out) – Car repairs are messy by nature, but that doesn’t mean that a shop or its people should stay that way. If the building itself or the employees look unkempt, this may not be a top-quality auto repair shop.

• Mechanic certifications – Repair shops that want to stay up to date have mechanics who undergo continuous training to stay current with changes in vehicle technology. ASE certification is a good one to look for – mechanics who possess this badge of honor have gone through rigorous testing to ensure they have the skills for the job.

• Shop memberships – A standalone repair shop might be just fine, but one that belongs to a national organization, such as AAA, or a local repair shop membership, like NARPRO, is even better. In order to be members, shops must be vetted and accepted, often having to comply with rigorous quality standards.

• Modern tools – You might have to do a little detective work to answer this question, as customers are often not allowed inside work bays for safety reasons. When you walk by from the outside, however, you should be able to see what kind of equipment the shop has. There should be a good variety of tools available for the mechanics to use, indicating they have what they need to perform necessary repairs. Some shops even advertise specialty or state-of-the-art equipment, which is great. This means that the shop is willing to do what it takes to stay current in the marketplace.

• Coupons and financing – Auto repairs can be expensive, there’s no doubt about that. A shop that truly cares about its customers recognizes this and offers ways to juggle the cost. This might include service coupons for preventative maintenance items or special financing for larger, more expensive repairs.

• Customer reviews – Sometimes, the best way to see if a shop is worth your time is by looking at the experiences of others. If the shop gets high ratings from a large percentage of customers, this is a good indication that they consistently provide top quality service.

Scheduling auto repairs

Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to schedule an appointment with the auto repair shop of your choice. If you’ve gone through the 10 points listed above, chances are, you’ve picked the best one!