Dave’s Auto Repair in Petaluma, CA (2023)

FAQs

How do I make sure my mechanic is honest? ›

Honest mechanics will communicate clearly with you in words you can understand before, during and after the repair. Compare any scheduled repair with your owner's manual. Honest mechanics will give you written estimates including parts, labor, and other supplies.

The garage's general level of activity and workload will also affect how long the more exhaustive repairs take. Also, keep in mind that repairs will naturally take longer if your car is a special or vintage make, as the parts may need to be ordered.

Check for Certification

It's critical to ensure the auto shop and the mechanics working there are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Aside from an ASE certification, a shop in California should also have a license from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Under California's Automotive Repair Act, you are entitled to: An estimate – Before beginning any repairs, the auto shop must provide you with an estimate showing the estimated price for parts and labor and obtain your authorization.

Most mechanics you contact will not be thrilled about the idea of allowing you to bring in your own parts. Although they may accept it once you make it clear that you do not expect a warranty, they will understandably be concerned about the quality of the product and the likelihood of a breakdown.

If it's been a while since you have taken your car to the dealership for repair, you're probably thinking, “how long can a dealership hold your car for repair?” Mostly, insurance and warranty require the car to be fixed within 15-20 days with a maximum of 30 days (cumulatively).

If your dealership or car repair shop is holding your vehicle for an extended length of time for reasons besides an inability to fix the vehicle, your best course of action would be to reach out to them and inform them that you will take legal action or contact the authorities to get your vehicle back.

If you find out that the quote is excessive, it's time to haggle! Politely tell the auto technician about your findings and explain why you think their estimate is too high. If they don't lower the price, let them know you'll be shopping around with other mechanics.

What are 3 qualities of a great mechanic? ›

If you've had work done on your car and you don't pay the person or company you hired, they may take legal action, known as a mechanic's lien, to recover the cost of their parts or labor. Depending on your state's law, an unpaid mechanic's lien may allow the lienholder to sell your car at auction.

Negotiating a car price: FAQ

If you've researched the vehicle and know its fair value, start with a lower price. This gives the dealer room to negotiate a counteroffer. Just decide ahead of time how high you are willing to go to avoid paying more than what you can afford and be willing to walk away.

If the mechanic was contracted to perform the work in a skillful manner and he did not, you may be able to sue on these grounds. If the service was provided as part of a warranty on the vehicle, you may have a breach of warranty case.

Getting down and dirty is part of a wrench's lifestyle, but a great mechanic's creeper will keep you off the grimy floor and closer to your task. Mechanics creepers — also referred to as dollies or shop creepers — are invaluable goodies for any garage, no matter how small the jobs.

Clear your car of personal items

Remove all personal items from your car when taking it in for a service. Whilst you should never experience any problems at a reputable garage, keeping your belongings on hand ensures they're safe and also prevents any accidental damage during the service process.

#1: Spark plugs

After all, they're so small and it seems like you just pluck the bad ones out and plug new ones in – how hard could it be? While the actual act of replacing a spark plug is easy, what's not that simple is accessing them in the first place.

Although most mechanics are honest and most auto repair shops are trustworthy, every year there are some that leave customers less than happy. In 2016, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 10,000 complaints against auto repair companies.

Go to Court

The mechanic may reply that the job has been done correctly or that the vehicle needs additional work that you refuse to allow. Prepare for court by discussing the problem with another mechanic, or looking at the original problem, what would fix it, and what's wrong.

Can a garage keep my car if I refuse to pay? ›

If you are refusing to pay while you dispute the bill, the garage has the right to keep your vehicle until the debt is paid. If you need the vehicle back before you can settle the dispute, you should pay “under protest”.

Can a garage keep your car? A garage that has repaired your car has what is known as a 'lien'. This is the right to keep the car until they've been paid for all work done. If you take your car away without authorisation you risk both civil proceedings and criminal prosecution.

Typically, your car can sit about four weeks to two months without driving before the battery dies. The reason your car can sit only for so long before it dies is the fact that your car battery is in use even when you're not behind the wheel.

“When repair costs start to exceed the vehicle's value or one year's worth of monthly payments on a replacement, it's time to break up with your car.” You can see how this recommendation is similar to the original concept of the 50% rule. Both look at things from the perspective of your costs.

A standard diagnostic test can take about an hour to an hour and a half. Of course, more complicated issues that require further diagnosis and where components must be removed for access or testing can take 2-3 hours; depending on the severity of the issue or multiple underlying issues.

The Repair Shop, which airs every weekday on BBC One, takes on the impressive task of fixing old, broken or damaged treasures. But the show has left many viewers asking the question: who pays for the repairs? Well, no-one does. The 'Repair Shop' is, in fact, a bit of a misnomer.

The engine

The most expensive part to repair is the car engine. Replacement of a car engine can cost upwards of $10,000 in a small car and even more in a truck or SUV. It may be better off to replace the car instead of just replacing the engine in some cases.

In general, most modern cars can cross 200,000 miles without any major issues, provided the vehicle is being well-maintained. Considering that an average person drives 10,000-20,000 miles per year, this will account for roughly 15 years of service. Here are some factors to consider when assessing used car mileage.

Note: As a rule of thumb, a generous tip is 10% of the total bill, and a moderate tip amount is 5%. Now that you've figured out when and how much to tip your auto mechanic, it's time to plan your approach.

Should I pay a mechanic upfront? ›

You don't need to pay for a car service or repair before any work has been completed. This is important. You should be wary of a garage that expects you to pay money upfront. You also only need to pay for work that has been completed.

Mechanics and tradespeople usually are not tipped, like waiters or taxi drivers are. This is especially true in smaller, independent shops, where the mechanic may also be the owner. RAY: But that doesn't mean you can't express your gratitude.

The report found that Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars, while Jeep and Mercedes-Benz make the ones you can depend on least. But those rankings reflect an average of all the cars each manufacturer builds. There can still be variation within any one brand.

Topping that list is the Toyota Sequoia, which has a potential lifespan of 296,509 miles, according to a new study from iSeeCars.com. The automotive research website analyzed more than 2 million cars to determine which last longest and found that 20 models are able to endure for more than 200,000 miles.

Most of you are probably familiar with the 3 Cs on your repair orders—Condition-Cause-Correction—which are necessary to complete a repair order correctly.

You'll need to be hard-working and reliable and ready to tackle all aspects of your job. Attention to detail: Whether you work on maintenance, diagnostics, or repairs, you'll have to perform those tasks with exacting detail. That is because your careful work on important vehicle components could save someone's life!

There are many benefits to paying for car repairs with cash. First and foremost, you won't have to worry about increasing the cost of your repairs by incurring interest charges. Car repairs can be expensive enough. If you have to pay interest to a lender, you end up spending even more money to fix your vehicle.

What happens if my engine blew and I still owe money? ›

“If your engine blows up on a financed car, you're still on the hook for the payment. Unfortunately, your car insurance won't pay for the damages either, as even full-coverage policies won't cover this.

Based on your pricing homework, you should have a good idea of how much you're willing to pay. Begin by making an offer that is realistic but 15 to 25 percent lower than this figure. Name your offer and wait until the person you're negotiating with responds.

A definite sign that your mechanic is one of those "hood cheaters" is if you are not allowed to inspect your car while repairs are being done. Also fishy is when a mechanic requires upfront payment for all car parts used and labor performed before work commences.

Mistakes are a normal part of life, but it's how you handle them and make them right that determines the type of technician you are. Mistakes are just a normal part of life and we know they're actually pretty common in the automotive repair world.

Contact your bank immediately to let them know what's happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you've transferred money to someone because of a scam.

Can you claim money back if your scammed? ›

Once a fraud is reported, it should contact the bank operating the account to which your money was sent, and any that is left can be frozen. Sadly, most scam victims will find their savings are long gone. This is where the battle to get some or all of it back from your bank begins.

Well, there are a few drawbacks of going to a manufacturer's dealership to have your car serviced. Prices are typically higher – An oil change at your local mechanic may cost only about $25, plus the cost of oil. At a dealership, though, the cost of simple maintenance such as an oil change is often inflated.

Garages charge a markup on parts. They buy them wholesale then sell them to you for a profit – that's how business works. The problem is that not many people know how much parts should cost. Some mechanics try to capitalise on this by overcharging customers for components.

Sprains, strains and tears.

These are the leading injuries sustained by auto mechanics and auto technicians. Repetitive motions while working under the chassis or hood can increase the likelihood of a sprain or strain. Lifting and lowering machinery and heavy tools can also contribute to these types of injuries.