The one thing about car culture that saddens me most is the realization that, to many people, cars represent not freedom or joy or fascination, but pain. I’ve met far too many people for whom cars are a genuine burden; something breaks, they take it in to a shop, and some greasy person across the counter hands them an exorbitant bill that they have no choice but to pay. It’s a feeling of helplessness, and it has ruined cars for many, many people. It’s for this reason that good, trustworthy mechanics are so important to me, for in some ways, they hold the keys to car culture. They can make it or break it.
I remember seeing this when I was growing up; my family was on a road trip from our house in Leavenworth, KS to a campsite in Colorado Springs, and somewhere around Hays, Kansas — basically the middle of nowhere — the thing left us stranded. All eight of us stood there on the side of I-70 waiting for AAA, who towed us into town.
There, a mechanic charged my dad $1000 for the fuel pump job; given that that was about 2006, that’s equivalent to $1600 in today’s money! And that had to come out of the pocket of a Lieutenant Colonel who was the only breadwinner in a family of eight. My dad did a good job of making it seem like it wasn’t a huge deal, as the camping trip was absolutely epic, but that’s a lot of scratch!
But my dad couldn’t turn a wrench to save his life. An incredibly resourceful and smart army officer? Sure. But a mechanic he was not. In fact, I’d venture so far as to say my mom — who was usually the one taking our cars to the shop — was maybe the better mechanic of the two. But neither of them were in a position to push back on that $1000 bill. And that sucks.
So many people experience that feeling of helplessness and dread when their car breaks down; it’s something I’ve never felt before because I have the most trustworthy mechanic of them all: myself. But some folks avoid that terrible feeling without having to do the dirty work, because they have “a guy” (so to speak). They’ve got a trustworthy shop that will walk them through what broke and what needs to be done to fix it.
Do you have a trustworthy mechanic? How did you find them, and what is it that they do to make you feel that they’re trustworthy?
Top graphic image: depositphotos.com
My advice is to look for a shop where the owner has grey hair and looks grumpy. Bonus point if he has a moustache.
Those older folks are experienced and if they lasted this long it usually means they are honest enough to have repear customers.
My time to shine.
I absolutely have made the mistake of thinking positive reviews from many reputable people to thinking a mechanic was trustworthy. I picked them on reputation among the high end community, they were by far the most expensive quote.
The quote had all oe part numbers, had dealership prices for parts, i expected oe parts. This next piece of info will be key, i drive this car about 1500 miles a year. Got car back in November, didn’t really drive it much, come February, start it up, there’s a squeal at idle, goes away when it’s warm. The shop did the timing belt and a lot of while you’re in there work. Contacted the shop, sent a video, no response. We never had issues with email not delivering previous, i still get their spam. I just so happen to see a post on a forum they were replying to, i reply with my issue above of them not responding. They claimed they never got my email, emailed again this time magically email works.
They take it back, turns out they used a gates belt but never told me. Who knows what other oe part they quoted and charged me for, while swapping in cheaper parts
A few months later and this time i have maybe 700 miles on the rebuilt axle boot they replaced, it’s leaking grease everywhere, they claimed i must have hit something, no warranty.
By this time I’m over dealing with these guys, got an axle from raxles, had another shop install and give me opinion on why the boot ripped, it was a bad install, they nicked it.
On the flip side, on another car, i took it to a shop that’s relatively unknown online, not the cheapest, but not the most expensive. I had them do a few small things here and there, small as in $250 – 500 jobs. Absolutely trustworthy, we built a relationship, he’ll give me advice on what needed and not needed. Completely honest about using oem vs oe parts. I ended up spending thousands there restoring a clk430, prob paid for a semester of college.
Moral of the story is you build a relationship with the mechanic, and feel them out.
I started taking my car to a garage because it’s right next to the facility where I work, and they had worked out a deal with security to give us a ride to work and get through the gate to pick us up when our repair is done. I always found them to be honest. What sealed the deal was when my wife, who doesn’t share my love of cars, took her car in for diagnosis/repair when I wasn’t able to do so. As she later told me about the repair, I knew that they gave her the straight dope and didn’t try to upsell her.
I took my truck in for its annual inspection a couple of weeks ago with the front windows rolled down, and they rolled the windows up to measure and fail me for my tint…honest bastards lol.
Right now I go to a transmission shop that happens to due mechanics as well I found via Yelp we some 10 years ago. I really don’t have the time to wrench much these days so I trust Mike with pretty much everything but BMW specific repairs/maintenance. He is one of the few who allows me to discuss my troubleshooting so he knows where to pick up…saving him time and money for me. Over the years he started allowing me to pick up my own parts..on the condition they exceeded OEM. Once he allowed me to buy replacement transmission solenoids and a mechatronic sleeve from FCP Euro so he only had to charge me labor in a ZF transmission.
He is neither cheap nor expensive and often charges me by the hour and not by the rate.
Social skills. Make friends with one, or get a friend to recommend one they trust.
Recs from shops I trust. I have a classic mechanic now who just did a grab bag of crap work I hate for a reasonable price. Recommendation of another shop that does good work. I look for shops that have a couple quality resto jobs for reasonable premiums out front and use them to find other reputable garages in the area.
Never have. I do all of my own work. It’s been interesting with my Volt, since it has that lovely CARB warranty, I have to take it to the dealer for anything that pops up. First car I’ve taken to an actual mechanic in probably 15 years.
Let me be fair though, this was a HARD earned skill that took years and many many mistakes to develop. I’m still not great, I’m a very slow mechanic and own multiple cars to allow for one under repair. Absolutely no shame to somebody who uses a mechanic, but I think it is always worth to know the basics of what is being worked on. Will help you from being ripped off in many aspects of life.
I found mine after a recommendation from a friend but I tend to do most work myself. It’s only when I don’t have the tools, the time or the space to do something that I take it to him. Engine out job? Mechanic. Brake job? Me. Rusty trailing arm bolts? Mechanic. Starter replacement? Me. I tried to fix something and messed up? Mechanic.
I always say to myself that working in cars should be something to be enjoyed. I don’t enjoy swearing over rusty, brittle and poorly designed parts and I’m not buying tools that I’m only using once.
I found one by luck. My hydro boost system went bad on me and I limped into the nearest desert town. He fixed me up right away, didn’t charge much, and gave me a beer while I waited. Sadly, he’s retired now.
I never have.
I became one.
He was a fellow volunteer firefighter who’s owned his own shop for many years.
He was a youngish German fella who was the head tech (factory trained) at the local Audi dealership. When he left to go Indy and start a shop with his buddy who was a Land Rover specialist, I followed.
I found mine (shout out to Jeff at Precision Auto in downtown BA!!) through word of mouth.
I do a lot of my own work, but any time I’ve run out of time, talent, or tools, he’s my go-to, and I recommend him to EVERYONE who asks.
He’s let me bring in my own parts before, and I don’t think the final total has EVER been more than the initial estimate. Generally it’s less by a couple hundred bucks. And I’ve NEVER been dissatisfied with his crew’s work.
I don’t want to hate on the industry but it sucks. Finding a mechanic is like trying to pick out the grail in Indiana Jones. I figured this out early and started tooling out of necessity. That’s why the cars I mess with now are old, small, and easy to work on. I’m an awful mechanic; but it’s satisfying to get the results of research, stress and long nights on a hot/cold driveway (lucky now it’s a garage).
Shops are there to make money. Do it easy and get you out quick. They don’t take the time to listen and provide empathy. In fact, they’re quite condescending and make you feel like you’re a burden when you walk in.
One of my favorite jobs was at an auto parts store. I was one of their top employees that spent downtime studying ways to help people figure it out on their own. But when it came time for promotion to “commercial accounts” I said f that! Those people were dicks! I even had a mechanic call the store just to remind me that I know jack shit about cars.
I could tell story after story about trips to shops. Like the time I needed an engine rebuild and they gave it back to me in bags and charged 1,600 for the pleasure because THEY DIDN’T LISTEN TO ME. Or when I was passing through Texas and needed a tire and they said a courtesy inspection showed I needed a timing belt when it was just replaced 2 months earlier. Or when I completed a suspension rebuild and spent gobs of time painting the wheels so they popped only to have the tire place bang the shit out of them – WTF?!?! Or when I asked questions about a carburetor only to be told I’m a dumb ass. Of course I’m stupid! That’s why I’m coming to you – the professional!
There are true craftsmen out there that have a passion for cars (thank you Ramone!) but damn your lucky if you find one. And in the end, I’m glad I’ve encountered all the a-holes ruining this culture because it has stretched my brain into becoming a better, resourceful and independent tooler of what I love.
I go to the dealership where my daughter is a service writer…
I’ve had a few good ones over the years. A couple of those went bad due to growing too fast or getting greedy. I do as much work on my own as I can. Word of mouth helps to find the elusive trustworthy mechanic
Asked on forums specific to the brand, asked at car shows specific the brand, asked people at race tracks, and asked other specialists who they would recommend.
Then I visited for a meet and greet.
I arrived at a decent-sized garage in the suburbs, walk in, and see three 959s.
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About to do similar for another brand soon. At least in a good-sized metro, word gets around, and worst case the appropriate regional area of your forum will get you started in the right direction. Car shows next, but don’t just ask anyone, ask the people whose cars always seem to be perfect.
Works for other things as well. The used car I recently bought apparently had three people badly install PPF. I know from experience that you need someone with experience and skill, and that they don’t come cheap. The previous owner of the other car not only did things three times, probably spent twice as much money in end, to where I still end up needing to repaint three panels to repair damage caused by the installers.
I DIY a lot of my repairs.
My local parts counter serves many garages (look for a parts counter with many delivery vehicles, that is not fancy inside, and they guys behind the counter are always on the phone with garages). I asked them. They’ll also know which dealerships are good.
My first mechanic was my Dad’s mechanic who was recommended to him in 1984. When I started driving in 1992, I starting using him. The son now runs the place and they’re just as good as ever. They started in 1980, not many garages stay open 45 years under the same owners!
And to be fair, here in Montreal, most of the dealer technicians are very good, the problem is usually pushy/incompetent service advisers, but most are decent.
It’s my understanding that auto technicians in Canada must be trained and licensed. So, I’m not surprised that dealer technicians there are generally good. In most states here in the USA, anybody can claim to be an auto tech without any formal training or certification.
Ha, that’s a trick question!
It’s like asking “How do you find Big-Foot?”
To be clear, some mechanics, as individuals, I’m sure are hard working people just trying to make ends meet. But between “book time”, hidden parts markups, etc…
But maybe I’m just cynical today.
Asking other people who have similar cars. Going to a specialist mechanic who you know won’t work on your car and bask who they recommend.
Good mechanics don’t need to advertise, any shop that’s busy first thing in morning the but does not advertise is probably doing good work.
Websites and how someone is on the phone indicate nothing.
My mechanic in Park Slope was a retired Argentine race car driver who was great. Sometimes he wouldn’t even charge me for minor stuff. Between the turbo lag and the manual transmission shift points the rolling road NY emissions test was really difficult for my 86 Volvo 740 turbo and he would get it to pass. He was the sort of mechanic that people would by just to have the car checked out before taking a trip.
Totally word of mouth, and he was famous for being difficult on the phone but totally the best in person.
Oh, and if someone recommends a mechanic, tell the mechanic and check the reaction.
Otherwise, I have had good luck with factory trained Mercedes mechanics who eventually opened their own shop. The Mercedes dealer service experience with their damed advisors is a total turnoff.
On the other hand, when I was in college, the mechanic everyone loved to take their Volvos to had a great place in the carriage house of an old mansion. He specialized in Volvos and drove a 1950s Bentley. On day he simply disappeared. He had married a very rich student and left the country. Later all the Volvo owners discovered that their cars were a hodgepodge of different parts from other brands. So just because all the cool girls are sleeping with your mechanic, he might not be all that good.
For my 27 year old Harley there’s a shop in the town we used to live in that is awesome, only a few towns over now so definitely still worth the trip for anything major. Harley dealers no longer really support the older bikes, but this shop, you walk in and there’s 30/40/50 year old bikes in the small front area, and big double door to the back and you can see them wrenching(as sometimes it’s just 1 person in so they need to be able to hear someone coming in the front). The few times I’ve had him do service absolutely no issues, any issue he’d call to get my ok, tell me how much for it, and the price quoted was the price charged, that’s all I ask.
For cars never really trust anyone, as it’s all EVs now we just go to discount tire for tires, they don’t even do alignments at the one near us and are so busy they don’t have time to upsell so that’s somewhat of a trust builder. I did try to take my Ranger electric to a Midas that seemed ok, wanted an AC evac/recharge, they did it, and didn’t make it worse(not sure it’s better), but they recommended any further issues go to the dealer as they didn’t have any documentation on it, but trust a dealer? (insert JK Simmons laughing in Spider-Man clip here)
I can’t say how trustworthy mine is, but the shop is a mile away so I can walk there if needed. At least they’re friendly, and one of them is a former dealership mech who knows old Fords and works on drag engines. And they put up with discussing the dumb ideas I get from reading Internet forums.
Ask, ask, ask around. Personal recommendations go a long way.
When I can’t do things, I use 3 different mechanics. One is clean and does OK work for crazy high prices (this is where the wife’s car goes for everything even if I could do the work), one is dirty and looks like a proper mechanic and does OK work for high prices. The third is a genius who fixes the things the others can’t (like when the cam timing slipped on my ecotech, that was not trivial to figure out) and charges enormously high prices. He earns the money though because he actually does real diagnostics and doesn’t just throw parts at it until it’s fixed.
Oh, you said trustworthy? Only the third guy who I found through word of mouth. You can trust him because he’s up front about screwing you on parts prices and labor rates. Doesn’t even try to hide it.