5 Questions You Should Ask a Mechanic Before They Get to Work

on December 26, 2019 at 3:14 pm

There are a few important questions you should ask a mechanic before getting auto repair in Richmond, VA. Read on to find out what they are.

Vehicle problems are a nuisance, but they happen to everyone at some point.

Even the most simple of issues can cause a lot of stress and unhappiness for car owners. That’s usually where a mechanic steps in to help. Before you go to a mechanic you should get DOT Inspections for Commercial Vehicles so you know exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle.

Mechanics are able to correct and fix the problems in vehicles to get your back on the road. Not all people trust mechanics, however, so you need to know that they know what they are doing before you can trust them. If you are having trouble finding someone you trust to work on your car, then give this mechanic a call for professional help.

Here are some things that you should ask a mechanic before they start working on your vehicle.

Common Reasons to See a Mechanic

Many people like the independence of fixing mot issues with a car by themselves and therefore prefer to order parts off companies’ online auto parts store. However, you may feel, hear, or smell issues in your vehicle as you drive that will influence you to visit a professional. It can be scary if you’re unsure about what your car is trying to tell you.

Some of the things you will want to look out for include:

Burning or rotten egg smells
Rumbles, squealing, or sharp noises
Strange fluid colors
Difficult handling
Electrical concerns
Poor acceleration
Car pulling to the left or right

You also don’t want to forget to get preventive work done regularly. This will ensure your vehicle is performing to the best of its ability and has less unexpected mechanical or electrical problems overall.

5 Questions to Ask a Mechanic

When you need auto repair, you want to go to a professional so that you know the work is done properly.

Some people don’t trust mechanics and feel that they would be better off without them, but by asking the following questions, you’ll get a better idea of whether or not they can do the job fairly. Sometimes it’s best to use a Chantilly auto repair service to ensure issues are fixed correctly. For example, if you were having trouble with your brakes, having a professional take a look would ensure they’re fixed correctly, not with a botched job that could end badly.

1. Are There Alternate Solutions?

You want to find out what the mechanic would choose to do if it was their car. Know which repairs are necessary to fix and which ones are just recommendations.

If you can find an alternate solution that costs less money and doesn’t risk safety, it makes sense for you to do that instead. You may be able to put in a used part, for instance, instead of replacing something with a new part.

2. How Much Will Diagnostics Cost?

Asking this question allows you to figure out how much it will cost for the mechanic to figure out what the problem is. This may seem odd, but knowing this upfront gives you the chance to choose a different mechanic before you owe anything.

Most diagnostic testing will cost somewhere between $50 and $120, but it truly does depend on your mechanic and how extensive your problem is.

3. Can I See What is Wrong?

When a mechanic is insisting you need something done, you should ask them to show you the part that needs fixing.

You can check out the wear and tear for yourself. This helps you learn a little something, but it also ensures that the part actually gets fixed.

If something needs to be replaced, request that the old part be returned to you in the box of the new part. This helps you learn what a bad part looks like and again ensures that the replacement is actually completed.

Even if you can’t take the part with you, you can at least see it to better understand your vehicle and your service.

4. What Extra Fees Should I Expect?

There are some mechanics and dealerships that will charge you extra fees.

Always ask for the estimate first and then ask about the hidden fees. This way you know how honest the mechanic you are working with is and you will have all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

5. Can You Explain What You Did?

You don’t need to know a lot about vehicles to do this, but it will help you build a better relationship with the mechanic for future work. You can ask them to explain the issue in a technical way to see how they diagnosed it and what they did to fix it.

This helps you know you are working with a knowledgable individual and also allows you to figure out more about how your car is operating.