How do you find a decent mechanic?

wannabehermit

I've been using my mechanic for years, found him through a recommendation from my brother. He's been really good, he doesn't charge if he doesn't find anything wrong, often does work at cost price and I trust that anything that he does find wrong does need doing but we've been losing faith lately and it's now at the point where we have decided to go elsewhere.

We don't really know anybody who could recommend a decent mechanic to us, the only people we know who have cars admit they know nothing about cars so just take it to main dealer to get work done. So apart from recommendations from friends and relatives how do you go about finding one that is going to do the work properly, not damage your car while they're doing so and not charge a fortune?

KierNet

Good Garage Scheme.

Not used them yet, got my car booked in for a MOT on Tuesday with a garage I found on there. Hopefully it will be good!

colino

OP why have you lost faith? Is he bad, too expensive or something else. If its just a communication problem, talk to him! Local, good indies are too hard to find to abandon for no good reason.
Please also avoid the trade paid for schemes and worst of all, the internet based "aren't (we) they great!" recommendation sites. Far too easy to manipulate.

rev_henry

KierNet wrote: »

Good Garage Scheme.

Not used them yet, got my car booked in for a MOT on Tuesday with a garage I found on there. Hopefully it will be good!

NO!

Good Garage Scheme is just a list of garages which use Forte lubricants basically and pay a small fortune for the privelege, though that's not to say the garages on it are bad.

TrickyWicky

wannabehermit wrote: »

So apart from recommendations from friends and relatives how do you go about finding one that is going to do the work properly, not damage your car while they're doing so and not charge a fortune?

Trial and error. Go to a few and get quotes for servicing etc. You'll figure out the good ones from the bad. The bad are usually over cocky "We'll fix anything" and the good are usually geeky types who want to look at the vehicle or get out the service manual to study it so they can see what they're up against. They'll also be a lot more genuine too.

Also if you know any cops/ex cops they tend to get very lucky with mechanics too so they're worth asking.

nearlyrich

You can't beat personal recommendation for tradesmen

rev_henry

Whilst on this subject, is there actually a thread for good mechanics? Maybe there should be one, split into areas, and we could recommend our mechanics, or not?

What area are you in OP?

micmac22

ask 10 local taxi drivers which garage they use i did 7 yrs ago very happy with service and prices.

mazza111

Trial and error for me.

Took my old car for MOT to a local garage, was expecting a bit of work, he came back with a failure for headlight adjustment and new number plate. Advised that one of my wheel bearings was worn. Asked him for a quote for wheel bearing and he told me not to at the moment as I would know when it was needing done. Knowing nowt about cars he could have ripped me off and didn't so always go there.

real1314

micmac22 wrote: »

ask 10 local taxi drivers which garage they use i did 7 yrs ago very happy with service and prices.

This is what I told a mate not more than a week ago.

Taxi / Private Hire drivers need reliability, a fair price and no rip-offs.

Look for them and you won't go far wrong.
:cool:

Weird_Nev

Look for a garage with a load of old sheds on the ramps. If they can keep old cars running, and people trust them with a diverse range of cars, then they're probably good!

In all seriousness, word of mouth, a good open "shop front" where you can talk to people in overalls about YOUR car, and a few mechanics who are 40+ tend to be better bets.

Clinical garages with youth in clean overalls do not inspire confidence. THey tend to be parts fitters, not mechanics.