#Slapdash auto repair drivers
Some drivers who’ve been hit with multiple ‘check-engine light’ repairs have purchased a cheap code reader to let them know which code caused the first visit and why the light came on again. Like handling high prices, the response you get when you have to bring your ride back for the same concern will tell you whether your shop is worth keeping or in need of a divorce from your wallet. As a result, anyone from a first-year apprentice to a seasoned veteran can easily make a mistake from time to time. For every one of the dozens of trouble-codes that can trigger that dreaded dash icon, techs must dig through pages of diagnostics and many different causes. It can happen to anybody once, right? Check-engine light repairs lead this list, and for no small wonder. Some European imports, for example, can be competitively priced to buy or lease, but not to repair.Īuto mechanic holding used car pressure plate, clutch disc and release bearing in front of the vehicle engine Photo by Getty It’s also important to remember that some of the higher prices you face might be a result of your choice of vehicle. An occasional bottle of refreshment or other casual gifts will cost far less than the dollars you stand to save. You can ask family members if you’re lucky enough to be related to a technician or shop manager, but if you’re asking a friend or new acquaintance you might need to be more generous. What might be extremely helpful is to find someone with sufficient experience to offer an accurate sounding board and review some of your previous repair bills, or in a pinch, a current estimate awaiting approval. The automotive industry has felt the last two years’ inflation just as any other sector, and in addition to increased supply costs, car and parts manufacturers have faced broken supply chains and a global shortage of both computer chips and skilled labour. But be warned, prices have simply gone up. The responses you get to these questions and the way they’re handled will speak volumes as to whether or not it’s time to cut the relationship. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Are there remanufactured or other brands of quality parts that are cheaper? Can a used part be obtained? Can some of the work be put off into the future? Consumer legislation across the country requires detailed estimates for auto repairs and maintenance, but before giving the okay on a higher-priced job, ask if there are any options to reduce the costs. Troubleshooter: Should you switch from the dealer to an independent mechanic?Īs you might suspect (but not always correctly), dealerships receive this complaint more than independents or automotive repair chains.Motor Mouth: 101-year-old mechanic highlights growing Canadian shortage.But let’s look at the top reasons customers break their bonds with their service providers and what you might be able to do to keep those ties. Experienced technicians are aging and departing the trade, and the number of younger people entering as apprentices is at an all-time low. Consumers Report recently reported that almost 25 per cent of survey respondents reported that in the last five years, they’d had a vehicle repaired at a shop they no longer use that they made the switch to another tech.
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