Before Authorizing Car Repair Service
Online, May 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - When it comes to repairing cars, people don't usually question what the mechanic says; they just authorize the repair and pay the bill. Doing a little research online may shed some light on what may be wrong with the car before choosing a service center. All car problems have symptoms and conditions for failure. Information is the key to solving any problem. Understanding what happened before and after the problem started, the more accurate the diagnosis can be. As the driver, noticing new sounds and symptoms early can mean the difference in a small or large repair bill.
Some major auto part stores will scan your car for free. By simply plugging in a hand held scanner in your OBDI(pre 1996)or OBDII(1996 and newer) scan port, the scanner reveals any trouble codes stored on the car's computer and provide a starting point of what could be wrong with the car within minutes. Asking an expert some questions about those codes before taking the car to the repair center can be very informative. Sometimes the repair is as simple as screwing in a light bulb, when it's not we are glad to have the mechanic's help, but at a fair price.
Understanding how service writers estimate a repair can save you money too. The total cost of a repair consists of two separate line items; parts and labor. The shop labor rate is posted so everyone can see what they charge per hour of service. There are standard labor times available for every repair which is universally used by repair shops to estimate service time. Labor is charged at the shop rate multiplied by the book time to remove and replace a broken part or perform a specific repair. Compare the times to see if they are similar between estimates. The cost of the parts and mark up can vary as well. Do some research to see how much the identical part is selling for online, to make sure you are not paying too much.
Once a car is in for a repair, always ask to see the used or broken parts and ask them to show where and why they broke, as well as have them save the box of the replacement parts so it is clear what brand they are installing on the car. Aftermarket parts are not usually as good as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part and are usually cheaper in many ways.
Before throwing parts at symptoms, make sure to understand the underlying problem. Get an unbiased opinion from more than one trusted source before authorizing service.