by Mike Mccarthy

Created on: March 09, 2009

If you need your car repairing, and would rather use a local mechanic than your dealership, then the following may help.

Neighbours and friends living locally will be able to give you a good reference regarding a reliable local mechanic. Word of mouth is the best way to find validations for good service in your local area. You may even be able to get a good indication regarding price for a particular job, as someone you know has already had such work carried out.

On line car clubs can help here too. Although membership tends to be countrywide or even global, there is a good chance that someone is close enough to you to be able to recommend a mechanic within travelling distance. Not only will this person be able to provide a recommendation, but, it will be for your type of vehicle as well. Again, they will probably be able to give you some sort of ideas on pricing for the work too.

To find a car club or owners club that suits your vehicle, you are probably best having a little google, or use a site such as www.ukcarclubs.org as these sort of sites list clubs by vehicle make and this will make your search a little quicker. Don't just search the club site for the bit of information you need, join in. You will find there is a wealth of information about your car there, with owners anecdotes which always improve the experience. And of course, you may need more work later on.

Another source for local information on car mechanics is your local paper. Local Newspapers tend to be ignored a little these days, with increasing use of the internet. However there will be classified ads for mechanics there. Unfortunately though, there will be no validation alongside the adverts, so this becomes a more chancy affair. However, a well phrased ad, listing available services may prompt you to phone them and ask more.

Then of course there is your yellow pages, either on line or using the phone book. Again though, there will be no validation or recommendation alongside these ads.

Once you have decided upon a mechanic, always ask for a quotation of work up front. Get this in writing from them, if there is hesitation here, it tends to suggest less than above board practices. Quotations are standard practice. Once you have your quotation, get at least one second opinion. Pricing here will tell you something about your mechanic. Make sure labour, parts, ancillaries and taxes appear on the quotation.

Unfortunatly, there are stories that fall into good and bad with regards to experiences with car mechanics. One tip here is when you find a good one, keep that relationship going, as good reliable mechanics are worth their weight in gold. You will then be in a position to help someone else local to you with a verbal recommendation.

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