Finding an Auto Mechanic Baltimore MD

Steps

1. First, try to research various automotive certifications. A good auto mechanic will be ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certified and should have a certification indicating what areas he is proficient in.
2. Another thing to look for is affiliation signs. AAA will certify some local repair shops after examining their credentials and business policies, and they will have a list of those shops on their website.
3. I encourage you to "stake-out" your local shops. By that I mean drive past and check out the facilities. You should be looking for key details such as the cleanliness of the grounds and work areas. Take notice of the makes, quantity, and quality of the other customers' cars. If you drive a 5 year old Ford truck, and the only vehicles you see around are run-down, old Fiats in the parking lot that probably isn't the place for you.
4. Ask around. Your friends, family, and colleagues have cars, and have to get them serviced somewhere. Find out how they feel about their mechanics.
5. When in doubt, you can always go back to the dealership. They almost always charge a higher labor rate and more for the parts, but they're supposed to know your vehicle and be able to get the job done.
6. Talk to the mechanic, ask questions and request to see the old parts when they are removed. When a mechanic puts a face to the vehicle and knows he may be talking with you again he is more likely to be more particular about how he performs the repairs.

Websites for help

Tips

• After you find what you believe to be a quality mechanic, but before you dedicate your car to that person, test out the relationship you will have with him. Take your car in for just an oil change to see how he is going to treat you.

Warnings

• Be weary of a repair station that always wants to do more than you asked for. It's nice of them to check your vehicle over for potential problems, but if every time you go they find something major wrong they're probably trying to rip you off. It's called up-selling a job. Flat-rate mechanics make their money doing it.

Sources and Citations

• ASE Certification website (http://www.asecert.org)
• AAA Automotive Club (http://www.aaa.com)

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