April 13, 2017

A mechanic will have forgotten more about engines than you’ll ever know, but that doesn’t mean you have to live in the dark when it comes to what’s wrong with your car. If you’re due a full service, taking your car for a WoF, or leaving your vehicle in for a simple puncture, then make sure you ask these three following questions before you hand over your keys.

When can I pick my car up?

This might seem obvious, but you need to be specific when asking about this. The job itself might take a couple of hours, but that doesn’t mean you can just pick it up after lunch. What if the job takes a couple of hours, but your Mechanic can’t look at it until next week? Can you wait that long? Is your vehicle roadworthy until then? How before you get your car back is different from how long the actual job will take, and it is something you need to be aware of.

Do you offer a courtesy car?

How essential is a car to your life? How you going to get to work? How do the kids get dropped off to school? Public transport isn’t exactly reliable, so you are going to need your own vehicle to get around. Ask your Mechanic if they provide a courtesy car while yours is in for repairs. If not, then make sure you have enough time to organise one for yourself.

Can I have an estimate?

A good Mechanic should be happy to provide you with an estimate for any work that needs to be done. It differs between the mechanics and the repairs necessary for your vehicle, but most times estimates are free. If your vehicle needs some serious work, and new parts need to be ordered and installed, then your bill may be higher than expected. It’s always a good idea to check beforehand on the different ways you can pay.