How to spot a good mechanic
We give you tips on keeping your car in good condition and choosing an affordable vehicle service plan.
There is no way to avoid the costs of maintenance and repairs when owning a car, but you can find comfort by using a mechanic with integrity and a good reputation.
By doing so, you can be sure the person you deal with prioritises the needs of the client and their safety.
What to do when considering taking a car to a mechanic?
The most crucial thing to look for is if the repair facility you opt to take your car to is a member of the RMI (Retail Motor Industry Organisation).
The RMI is a national organisation for the automotive repairs and maintenance sector that is proudly South African.
Businesses can join the RMI and access the advantages of working collaboratively with thousands of other members.
A company must adhere to a code of conduct to join the RMI, which includes offering excellent services and goods, reasonable prices, guaranteed workmanship and fair dispute settlement.
In light of this, you can be sure a vehicle repair company with an RMI membership has credibility.
Find a South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA) member if your car needs body work. SAMBRA workshops adhere to a stringent system of grading quality. A garage with a SAMBRA membership, like the RMI, is guaranteed to be of a high calibre and reliable.
A Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA)-a licenced dealership can provide assurance and high-level work when you need routine maintenance and servicing.
If you wish to limit your options further, Google has ratings for each company in its database. You can use this information as additional help. A Google search for your preferred mechanic should return results with a rating.
But be aware that anyone can post a review, so a few might be false.
Finally, word of mouth can sometimes be hard to surpass. Customers at auto repair companies won’t sugarcoat their experiences, so ask friends and family who they use and if they would suggest them.
Realistically, using all three techniques is preferable. Unexpected car repairs are never enjoyable, but with the correct preparation, it can be a bit less stressful.
Manage your car-care budget
With manageable monthly payments, a service or maintenance plan can help you better manage your car-care budget.
A service plan pays for the labour and common parts when servicing your car. It excludes the deterioration of components like the clutch, shock absorbers, light bulbs, and brake pads.
Although every service agreement is unique, they often include services for brake fluid, coolant, all filters, spark plugs and tyre rotations. Service contracts begin when you buy your car and last for a predetermined number of years or kilometres. The lengths are typically three years and 45 000 km.
A maintenance plan goes beyond a service plan by protecting against mechanical and electrical breakdowns and normal wear and tear on components like shock absorbers, brake pads, and wiper blades.
It does not, however, include the price of new tyres. A maintenance plan has a similar duration to a service plan – a few years or a certain amount of mileage.
• Supplied by Motorhappy
