Ladies, don’t get taken for a ride

Women have perfected the fine art of balancing a career, marriage and motherhood. They are able to set and achieve goals and navigate a myriad of unnerving situations. There is one area, however, that instills a feeling of trepidation – car services.

There’s no fool-proof way of knowing if one’s mechanic of choice is reputable. Granted many are on social media and have their own websites but Elvio Jardim, MD of the Autoway Service Centre franchise recommends good old word of mouth. “Ask your friends and colleagues who they would recommend and find out if the workshop is accredited by an industry association such as the Motor Industry Workshop Association or the Automobile Association of South Africa.” He adds that one should never discount their instinct. If a centre does not feel right, one should not leave their car there.

There are also questions women can ask of mechanics that can help them to understand what is wrong with their vehicle and what the repairs actually entail. Jardim suggests asking the following questions:

• What parts are being used? (Jardim notes generic parts are of equal standard, just better priced.)
• What guarantee do they offer?
• What does a service include and exclude?
• Does the centre provide a lift back to work once the vehicle is dropped off?

Some tips on successfully liaising with mechanics include:

• Ask for an email with a list of which parts will be replaced when requesting a quote.
• Requesting the old parts helps to confirm the work was done.
• Don’t be scared to speak up if something is unclear. If the mechanic is customer-centric they will take the time to explain the situation, should clarification be required.

One should always be specific when booking their car in. As the owner of the vehicle, nobody knows it better. Jardim concludes, “Go through the vehicle with the technician – check for scratches, dents, lights, windows and boot – take the time it will save one from later frustration.”