Finding the Right Automotive Service in Your Budget
Trying to secure the right automotive service can be overwhelming, especially when you have financial constraints. Some areas offer a lot of options, while some may be limited by the auto shops available. Before you make a decision, however, make sure you consider the things below to get the right service for you.
Compare Prices Between Local Auto Shops
When you start seeking out an auto shop for repairs and services, you should call around for local shops and get some quotes. Ask questions about part costs compared to labor in the overall rate. Some auto shops will have different rates for labor. Some will quote you based on OEM parts and others will utilize aftermarket parts. According to Gitnux, there are roughly 168,000 auto repair businesses throughout the country. You should be able to get several quotes to help manage your budget.
Check Local Reviews From Customers
Whether you need auto repair services or auto body services, make sure you do some investigation on the shops you are considering. This is especially true if you don’t have experience with the local shops, and maybe spoke to one or two people about them. Visit the Google reviews online and other social media outlets to see what the reviews are like for customers. Auto shops tend to get a mix of good and bad reviews, so you have a more accurate understanding of what you can expect. Look for comments that discuss budget, repairs, and if customers experienced issues with the services afterward.
If you are looking for auto body shops for work on your vehicle, you can reference pictures posted by customers who had recent paint jobs and perhaps had the body adjusted after an accident. According to Ibisworld.com, there are 100,345 auto body shops across the country. These shops specialize in bodywork, and it is best to see the work for yourself. If you are visiting the location physically, take a look at the cars that are ready to be picked up and see if you notice anything sticking out at you.
Quoted Time Compared to Your Time Frame
When you know that you will need auto repair or bodywork, you know how soon it needs to be done, and how long you can be without your car. When you are reaching out to auto shops, it is important to find out how long the job will take. If you need to make adjustments or secure a rental during this time, you need to be prepared and include those expenses in your budget, also. Some shops may be able to get to your car quicker than others based on their current workload.
Save Money on Your Wash and Detail
If your vehicle just needs a good wash and detail cleaning, then save money in your auto budget by opting to wash and detail yourself. According to IBISWorld, the car wash and auto detailing industry is utilized by 59,546 businesses as of 2023. These car washes and detailing locations may have an option for a self-operated wash, or you can run it through an automated car wash. They also have vacuums available so that you can do the detailing yourself. If you go to an auto body shop for these services, they are going to add labor fees on top of the service.
Know When You Need a Routine Service Compared to a Repair
Services like oil changes and tire rotations are standard maintenance services that you need every 5,000 miles on your vehicle. Sometimes, however, your mechanic may find an issue when working on these vehicles and try to get you to fix it. Services like getting new brakes, a tire alignment, or even getting new tires generally can wait until you’ve had time to get a quote.
After you have gone through these different steps, you should be able to determine which auto shop is right for you. You have to consider your budget, and while quality is important, you need quality work that is also affordable. Keep these in mind for your next auto service needs.