Ping Car maintenance gurus

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It could be in your interest to look up a garage that has a very good reputation, that is also not main dealer. These places can be just as good or even better than a main dealership. The problem i have with main dealers is they would charge some stupid amount extra just because the part says the make of the vehicle on it, there are other parts out there that will do the same job and that are just as good for a fraction of the price.

Please dont assume that maind dealers are the best thing since sliced bread either, i have had run-ins with mechanics from main dealers who have done MOT inspections on cars and either missed something or have failed something when it wasnt failable.

A tip for finding a good mechanic, is first of all to ask your friends, then when they recommend someone have a look at the set up and if you feel the urge go and hav a chat with them. Im sure you would easily spot a cowboy a mile off. If i can help anymore on this please feel free to ask

PS, try and avoid the 'fitter mechanics' as thats all the majority of them do is fit, which would be like me calling my self a computer engineer but only having the capability to be able to remove and replace things without knowing what anything does. Nearly anyone can change a whel so does that make them a mechanic, does it bollocks. Plus a lot of these 'fitters' will work for tyre and exhaust places and these will be driven to sell you stuff you dont need.

I used to go mad when i knew of people who i knew would go into one of these places for a new tyre and end up having four tyres, tracking and brake parts at a whopping cost. What these garages do is play on peoples fears and as the poor customer doesnt know then they pay the price for ease of mind.

The timing belt thing, i know on diesel engines your more than like not going to get much change from 1000 dollars , but i also know with some petrol engines there is a chance that you could get lucky, it al depends on the make of car etc . The timing belt should be chaned every 40000 miles and early signs are cracking, freying and the belt having a shiny finish to it instead if the usual matt black finish.

I hope that drivel helps you

Eddie

 

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Yes cheers Eddy, it's always good to hear other peoples perspectives and experiences.

I understand the difference between a fitter and a proper mechanic, the same thinking can be applied to any job. Certainly in the office equipment sector where I spent many years, there were fitters and techs and the odd person that could be classed as a tech specialist. The fitters are a necessary part of the hierarchy, not many companies could afford to employ highly skilled techs to do routine maintenance work. As fortch said, in a main dealership one would hope that they employ experienced qualified mechanics and fitters in the correct ratio. I am not sure this is always the case with small outfits though.

Word of mouth is better than no feedback at all but just because a friend or relative is happy with their chosen service agent, it doesn't necessarily mean they are not being subtly conned.

 

Excellent point, Bluerinse. Sometimes, it's not so subtle. Some of my consultations were investigating service histories on vehicles and owners. Most were legit, but some had a long list of repeated services, performed by a shop that was notorious for this. Why? The service writer was a smooth-talking salesman, and older women were very trusting of him. Unfortunately, their trust was misplaced.

Obviously, you can't educate yourself and be an expert in everything. People want to find someone to trust, particularly in the much-maligned auto repair industry. However, that doesn't excuse the small legwork that goes into investigating a proper dealer or indie shop. Also, reading the owner's manual (RTFM!) for service schedules and comparing them to the shop's should be done as well. Never give someone carte blanche unless you know for a fact that they've earned it. I left the business because of ethics, but hopefully the small army of young mechanics that I mentored gleaned at least a bit of accountability and ethics from my time with them.

 

I am sure they did fortch. People learn from their mentors and they develop skills and ethics partly from their own traits but mostly from the people teaching them. I am a great believer in 'one on one' training, it is something which I have promoted over the years. I know the people I trained adopted not only my techniques but also my conscientious approach and sense of fairness. Many of them are still in senior roles in the UK now, doing what I did before I emigrated.

Of course the reverse is true. If the mentor is a bad apple, they will adversely influence their trainees.

This is one of the reasons why good management matters so much. It is vital that the most trustworthy, professional people get to the top because their influence can have so much affect on the overall ethics of the business.

Sales people follow a different set of rules altogether