If you thought purchasing a vehicle is hard, wait until you need to find a reliable repair shop. As a vehicle owner, you won’t trust just anybody to fix, service or repair your car. It’s very important you do your research and ask lots of questions. Here are 5 ways you can find the right repair shop. 

1. Ask Friends and Family
   Oftentimes, we rely on our friends and family’s recommendations the most, as we trust them and their judgement. They will be honest about their experience, service, price and overall satisfaction. Especially if they have a vehicle similar to yours, ask them!  
2. Google Repair Shops Near You
   Our good old friend Google is very useful for research like this. You can easily research what repair shops are near you, if they specialize in anything specific and their history. The best part of Google is the reviews as you will get to read both positive and negative ones that are unbiased.  
3. Check the Better Business Bureau
   The BBB is an organization that will have reviews and information for a wide variety of businesses. This is a great resource to use to figure out which repair shops you should avoid, or go to. Those that leave reviews are real consumers as BBB confirms that a marketplace interaction took place between the reviewer and the business. 
4. Call or Visit the Shop You’re Considering
   There’s only so much research you can do online. Oftentimes it’s better to contact your options to get a feel for what they are like. Ask for a consultation and talk to their machines. This is a great way to meet them directly, get price quotes and understand the scope of the services. Most important, it’s a great way to ensure you feel safe, comfortable and trust them to do your repairs. Another option is to try a smaller service within that shop to see how they do. Smaller services could include an oil change.
   
5. Ask Questions
   This last point is the most important! ASK QUESTIONS and don’t hold back! You have the right to ask questions to ensure you feel comfortable with the shop doing your repairs. Ask them for their employee’s credentials, certificates, and experience. Ask them if they offer a warranty, or what their policy states if you’re not happy with the service. Asking questions can be intimidating but very important.

There is nothing more stressful than having to get car repairs done. As stressful as the situation can be, don’t wait until an emergency happens to find your repair shop. You may not need repairs right now, but you will someday and it’s better to be prepared rather than waiting until the last minute. Most importantly you need to be happy, feel confident and trust the shop you choose! 

If you live in Warrenton, Virginia we recommend you visit our shop, Warrenton Auto Service for a one-stop shop. We offer a wide range of services including both mechanical and collision repair. Our shop has been around since 1969 and has built a team of experienced experts that are ready to help you. For a free quote or consultation visit our website.