How to Pick the Proper Auto Repair Shop: 7 Tips

Picking a quality auto repair garage can seem daunting, particularly when your vehicle is exhibiting caution lights such as a flashing service power steering light or a spongy vehicle handbrake. You desire trained technicians, honest opinions, and reasonable fees. But with so many possibilities available, how do you choose where to take your vehicle?

Here are 7 practical advice for selecting the appropriate place to buy vehicle steering & suspension problems or whatever your automobile may require.

1. Ask for Recommendations

Word of mouth still works. Ask friends, relatives, or colleagues where they service their car. If a person’s been visiting the same shop for years, likely that the shop is trustworthy. And extra points if the shop has some experience with vehicle steering & suspension repair — those systems need special skills. 

2. Check for Certifications

Stores that employ ASE-certified technicians are a positive indicator. They have been tested and trained to work with today’s vehicle systems, such as detecting a service power steering light or resetting a worn-out vehicle handbrake.

Certifications indicate the shop has an investment in training and an interest in getting it right.

3. Check Reviews (but Read Between the Lines)

Online reviews are helpful, but don’t simply glance at the star rating. Read the actual comments. Are customers saying that the shop clearly explained the issue? Were they pressured into services they didn’t require? Do they have a specialty in suspension or power steering repair?

If one customer suggests a smooth experience in getting their vehicle’s steering & suspension system repaired, that’s excellent.

4. Visit the Shop First (If You Can)

Stop by the shop for a few minutes to let them know you’re around before you have an urgent fix. Is the shop clean? Are the technicians nice and courteous? Do they stop by and listen when you say something to them, like your handbrake on, your service power steering came on, and give you some perspective without hurrying you along?

“Trust your instincts — you’ll be here working with these people, keeping your car running safely.”

5. Ask About Vehicle Warranties

Good repair shops back their work. Ask them what type of warranty they provide on parts and labor. This is important if you have work being performed on critical systems such as vehicle steering & suspension, or anything that involves your brakes or power steering.

Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold when you’re shelling out your hard-earned cash on repairs.

6. Seek Specialized Experience

Some are generalist operations, and others are specialists. If your power steering light comes on, or your vehicle doesn’t handle just right when turning, you need a crew that knows how to shop vehicle steering & suspension systems in-depth.

Ensure they have the equipment and expertise to diagnose and fix those parts correctly.

7. Begin with a Small Service

Still not sure? Test out the shop with something minor, such as an oil change or testing your car’s handbrake. It’s a low-cost method of determining how they handle customers, how they describe things, and how upfront they are with pricing.

Selecting the proper auto repair shop

Selecting the appropriate auto repair shop is not merely a question of price — it’s about trusting your vehicle to a reliable source. Whether your issue is a glowing service power steering indicator light, creaky suspension, or a handbrake that simply doesn’t “feel right,” selecting a trustworthy destination to shop vehicle steering & suspension repairs can mean all the difference in the performance of your car — and the comfort level you enjoy behind the wheel.

Take your time, ask questions, and go with the shop that gains your trust.