Image by Amanda Tumbaga, art design by Franklin Reed
Mechanics aren't always the happiest people on the planet, dealing with major car problems, people upset about their major car problems, and major problems with,...you get it. It might seem difficult to win the affections of your mechanic, but we think there are some surefire ways. Here are 10:
1) Clean out your car- Mechanics have to get used to working in cramped spaces, which can be difficult and frustrating. If you're a slob who doesn't bother to clean out their car, you're only complicating the situation for your mechanic. Your mechanic shouldn't have to move 14 empty Red Bull cans to get under your dashboard. Plus it's just gross.
2) Don't try to watch them work on your car - You wouldn't want someone standing over your shoulder while you prepare the week's TPS reports, would you? Give your mechanic the space to properly perform their job. No one wants to be scrutinized while they work, especially when it's work that can oftentimes be frustrating by itself. Unless you're an apprentice, don't try to watch.
3) Don't automatically distrust - A segment of dishonest mechanics gives the entire industry a bad reputation. But don't let the bad apples taint your perception of everyone. Trust the person you're doing business with until you can't. Afford them the same respect as you would to anyone in a similar profession, they just want the opportunity to prove you right.
4) Share your positive experiences - When a mechanic has done a great job for you, let everyone know. Submit a review on Mechanic Advisor, recommend your friends and family, and let the management of the shop know how satisfied you are. The industry isn't used to customers sharing their success stories, since the negative experiences tend to take center stage.
5) If you don't understand how to do car repairs, don't try to do them yourself - Saving a buck is always good, but you need to know what you don't know. If you have no automotive experience and aren't very handy, don't try to repair your own transmission. Mechanics frequently deal with people who have tried to fix problems themselves, and only made them worse. This goes for friends who claim to know how to work on cars as well.
6) Understand that it's a business - For some reason, there are customers who assume that mechanics should do work for free, ignoring the fact that if they do, they won't be able to pay their own bills. Automotive repair is a business, and while some shops offer free diagnoses, and other excellent discounts, it's important to remember that you're exchanging money for services, and that you need to respect that dynamic.
7) Tell them the symptoms, not the diagnosis - When bringing your car in after it's started having problems, let your mechanic know the car's symptoms. What is the car doing? Don't tell them what you want them to replace, unless you're willing to accept full responsibility in the case that you're wrong. A properly trained mechanic will not only be able to determine what is causing your car's issues, they will also point out other problems you may not have noticed.
8) Don't get mad if they have to adjust your seat - It can be annoying when you get your car back after it's been worked on and the seat has been moved, but different people are different sizes. In order to drive your vehicle into the bay, a mechanic may need to adjust your seat, and unless he or she is able to mark exactly where your seat was before it was moved, which is an absurd expectation, they will leave the seat in the last position. This is a crazy thing to complain about.
9) Take care of your car - A well-maintained car is much easier to work on for a mechanic, and much cheaper for you. A car that has been neglected and abused is much more difficult to work on, since the problems are more extensive and entrenched. It's like going to the doctor after you've been eating only sticks of butter for 10 years, the problems are harder and more difficult to fix.
10) Come back - If everything has been done properly and you've been treated well and charged a fair price, there is no bigger compliment you can give your mechanic and shop than repeat business. This is also the best way to build and foster a relationship with a mechanic that you can trust for years, which is more valuable than most people realize.
MechanicAdvisor.com is one of the largest online mechanic resources in the US. We are the premier website for consumers to research and connect with reputable local mechanics for routine and specialty automotive repair. Our website features instructional videos, articles about maintaining your car, and detailed profiles of over 500,000 mechanics across the country. If you're a shop owner, please claim your shop page for free here.
