Is quality auto repair service a myth?

The good ole days of auto repair
My first car was a 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle. It ran forever, getting me to summer jobs and a college campus.

Yea, Volkswagen makes a great car. Even the old Beetle. But what a godsend it was to have a reputable auto mechanic at a corner Exxon station. He had no problem working on the VW, finding whatever parts were needed, patching it up quickly for a reasonable price.

Remember when there were mechanics at the corner gas station? If you don't, then you probably don't know what an LP is, a turn table or an 8-track or cassette tape.

When I was a teen, the corner gas station was a place to fill up. But many were much more than that, complete with repair bays that smelled of used oil and a car or two up on a lift. You felt reasonably confident that your car would be taken care of and repaired right the first time. Yes, today things are much different. So much technology has been stuffed into todays cars that you practically need a degree from MIT to fix it.

Finding the gem takes a little effort
For me and my Beetle, my mechanic was great. He greeted me by name and took the time to talk to me. For my VW, the corner gas station kept me on the road. Today, not so much. The corner gas station is gas and gas only. Oh, and the home of the 64 ounce soda. Not the place to get your car repaired.

Here's a few tips to finding a reputable repair shop:

• Check the Better Business Bureau.


• Ask friends and family who they use for auto repairs.


• Visit shops in your area. Are they willing to spend a few minutes and talk to you? If not, move on.


• Trust your gut. Don't use a shop if it doesn't feel right.


• All shop charges should be readily available or clearly posted.


• Take advantage of sites where people rate businesses, such as Kudzu.com.

Maintain the relationship, they'll maintain your car
The small, independent repair shop is far and few between. Take the time to find one. If you build a relationship with a trustworthy shop, do all you can to maintain it. In today's economy, there's less of a chance of you buying a new car and more likely you'll be holding on to your current car longer than you thought. Keeping it maintained will pay off, even if it's a high mileage car.

A healthy relationship with a trustworthy repair shop will work wonders for you, your car and your budget.

Andy Mrozinski

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