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- Avoiding the cowboys
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Avoiding the cowboys
Unless you know a lot about cars, taking your vehicle in to a garage to be fixed can be a daunting process. Watching the mechanic suck on his teeth before telling you 'it ain't going to be cheap', can leave you feeling helpless. How do you know he's telling the truth, and is not just taking advantage of your ignorance to squeeze as much money out of you as he can? Well, there are a few things you can do.
Firstly, shop around. Tell the mechanic you just want a quote in the first instance. This way, not only do you get to compare a variety of prices, but the mechanic is less likely to risk losing the job by unnecessarily overcharging you.
You should also check to see if the garage is a member of a trade association, such as the Motor Vehicle Repairers Association (MVRA) or the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA), which have strict codes of practice. Unscrupulous garages are unlikely to be members.
Another good thing to do is to ask friends and family if they can recommend a good garage, or at least warn you off a disreputable one.
Make sure that the garage offers you clear information on repair and servicing options along with its quote. Do not take your car to a garage and simply ask the mechanic to 'fix it'. To a disreputable garage this could be the green light to repair every single minor fault, which could add up to a costly final bill.
If the garage finds additional work that it thinks needs looking at, make sure it gets your permission before it does anything beyond what was originally agreed. Leave your contact details so they can call you if any problems develop.
If the garage says it can't give you a fixed-price quotation because of the nature of the job, at the very least agree a maximum amount that they can spend on a repair without consulting you further.
You should also make sure you will receive an itemised invoice that lists all the materials, the parts used and their costs, and the amount charged for labour. This will make it easier to spot and dispute any unreasonable charges, such as parts costing double the market value.
Check beforehand if the garage will offer a guarantee or warranty on its work and materials, and consider using a garage that has a recognised complaints procedure.
The garage may offer you a courtesy car while your own car is being fixed. Before gleefully driving off in its brand new Mercedes, however, make sure you check the terms and conditions attached to the supply of the courtesy car, and what the costs are, if any.
A reputable garage should have no problem with any of these safeguards, and so if you find a garage hostile to your requests, or you are unhappy with the suggested repairs or the projected cost, don't be afraid to turn around and take your car somewhere else.
And if you do find a garage that seems fair and reasonable and does a good job, stick with it. And recommend it to friends, to avoid them falling into the hands of someone less scrupulous.
