When problems arise with your car, you don’t want to waste your time with a sub-standard repair service. Your vehicle is not only a sizable investment on your part, but you also depend upon it for safety and transportation. Read on to learn about 5 qualities to look for in an auto repair shop and our tips for choosing the right shop for your needs.

Reputable

One of the best ways to find a new repair shop is through a referral–whether from a friend, acquaintance, or the Internet, knowing that someone had a positive experience with a shop is a good sign. A company with a good reputation means you are more likely to get what you want. When looking online, ratings, rankings, and reviews can give you an idea of what you should expect.

Experienced

A brand-new company is certainly capable of providing quality service, but a company with years of experience will know how to handle all kinds of problems and unusual situations. Experience with cars, customer service, and billing all come together to make your interaction with that company smooth and obstacle-free.

Additionally, while general experience is great, a company that has experience with your specific problems will run into fewer problems and will experience fewer hiccups, which will make the whole thing go more smoothly.

Quick

When it comes to your car, the longer you have to wait for repairs, the more interrupted your life becomes. Even a rental car or temporary replacement just isn’t the same as having your own car, so ask up front what kind of turnaround time you can expect, and note how accurate the estimates are.

Informative

In addition to fixing your car, you should expect to stay informed. Ask about the problems, the parts and components that are involved, the expected costs, the causes of the problems, and what can be done to prevent similar problems in the future. You should expect complete transparency, and you can use the repair process as an educational experience.

Fair

At the end of the day, you want two things from your auto shop: to leave with a functioning car and to feel like you got a good deal. Open communication is important, and if you ever have an issue with something, speak up! Pleasing the customer is an important part of running a high-quality repair shop, so always feel free to vocalize your questions and concerns. Letting the repair shop know exactly what you need is the best way to reach a win-win situation.