What you should look for in finding a good repair shop

Original article by Consumer Reports
This version of the article has been truncated and enhanced by the Dale Adams Automotive staff. 

Before you consider where to take your vehicle for maintenance and repair, you need to understand the difference between the two. Routine maintenance items are those listed in your vehicle's owner's manual as part of the model's service schedule. They are intended to keep your vehicle in top operating condition. Repairs are service that needs to be performed to fix a problem. Where you take your vehicle may depend on what needs to be done.

Scheduled maintenance can be performed at any dealership; you don't have to go to the one where you bought the vehicle. Likewise, you can take your vehicle to an independent auto-repair shop or franchise, which are typically less expensive than dealerships. Because maintenance items are fairly basic, however, any professional auto shop should be able to perform the necessary tasks.

Repairs can range from basic tasks such as a brake job or auto-body repair to complicated service such as overhauling a transmission or diagnosing an electronics-system problem.

If the vehicle is out of warranty, the type of problem may determine where you take it for repair. A reputable independent shop should be able to handle most common repairs.  A good technician will let you know when a problem warrants a trip to the dealership or a speciality shop.

How to find a great car mechanic

Based on annual surveys, we find consumers generally have a higher level of satisfaction with independent shops over car dealerships.

But identifying a mechanic you can trust for your car takes a lot more than letting your fingers do the walking. You have to do a little old-fashioned sleuthing. There's no single clue to what makes a good repair shop, but here are some things you should look for:

• Ask your family and friends
  Especially seek recommendations from those who have a vehicle similar to yours.
• Search the Internet
  Look for information about local mechanics on the internet and through business rating websites. Here are some great links about Dale Adams Automotive to save you the time. We have nothing to hide.
  Yelp Reviews
  Better Business Bureau (No complaints filed in over 40 years!!)
  Google Reviews
• Check for certification
  Your mechanic and shop should be certified and be able to show you their certifications upon request. Dale Adams Automotive would be happy to show you all of our certifications and special training certifications.
• Check the Better Business Bureau
  Auto repair shops rank 12th on the bureau's list of common complaints. Go to www.bbb.org; the information you find might help you figure out which shops you should avoid. Again, no complaints in over 40 years for Dale Adams.
• Give the shop a tryout
  Before your car needs a big repair, you might want to try out some local shops with smaller repairs or maintenance items, such as oil and filter changes. We know if you try us at Dale Adams you will return. Let us show you why.
• Ask about warranties
  What kind of guarantees does the shop give on repair work? Warranties can vary greatly among shops, so ask about them ahead of time. Use a common repair, such as brake work, as your guide.
• Make sure the shop is convenient
  Even the best shop might not be worth the effort if its hours conflict with your schedule or you have few transportation options after you drop off the car. Dale Adams has an easy to get to location just off of Deerfoot and Barlow South and we offer shuttle rides as our customers need them.

We at Dale Adams encourage you to ask around about us and other garages. There are many great garages in the city. We have proudly served Calgary for over 40 years now and we stand by our impeccable reputation.

Please contact us about your vehicle needs, you won't be disappointed.

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