Five Ways to Save Serious Money on Car Repairs

If you drive, there's probably little you hate more than getting your car repaired. It's usually an expensive, time-consuming hassle no one looks forward to. Even so, it doesn't have to be so bad. Here are some solid ways to save as much money as possible on your car repairs, and hopefully make the whole process a little easier, too.

Whether it's just dealing with mechanics who try to upsell you on unnecessary work, the inevitable toll on your wallet, or being out of your expensive—and often only—means of getting around while you wait for the work (and the bill), car repairs can be a hassle some of us avoid more than going to the dentist. Still, you'll have to go eventually, regardless of your skill level. Let's look at some ways you can make the whole affair as easy as possible.

Find the Best Garages and Mechanics Near You, and Stick with Them

The most obvious tip comes first: If you find a mechanic or a repair shop that you trust and treats you like an intelligent human being who also happens to be their valued customer, you stick with that shop like glue. Find someone who deserves your business and reward them handsomely for staying in business. The good guys need all the help they can get.

Now, the "good guys" aren't always your mom and pop mechanics. Sometimes you'll find them in a suburban dealership. Other times you'll find them in a gas station garage. If you hear someone tell you to avoid "X type of establishment" at all costs, reject their advice unless they have a specific place they suggest you go. Instead, here are some places to check out and cross-reference to find a trustworthy mechanic:

• Consider a AAA Car Care Center or a AAA approved auto repair shop. If you're a AAA member, consider visiting a shop that's either operated by or approved by the organization you pay membership dues to every year. Plus, you'll get a discount on the work you need done.

• Make sure the shop is ASE Certified. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the major certifying body for automobile mechanics in the United States. Don't take your car to a shop where the mechanics aren't ASE certified unless you know them personally and trust them unconditionally—and even then, think twice.

• Check Yelp for reviews. While Yelp definitely has a bit of a "people only rate mechanics to complain" vibe about it, it can still be a great way to find out whether a place has a track record. Also, you'll be able to see if a garage has a specialty or is better with certain types of repairs. Take reviews with a grain of salt though, and trust general trends, not necessarily specific opinions. Remember, happy customers usually don't leave reviews—but if you find a four-to-five star mechanic on Yelp, that's a really good sign.

• Call or visit before you get work done. This is something too few people actually do. Swing by the lot before you actually have repair work that needs to be done. You should see cars in good condition—not parted out junk that looks like it's been sitting around for ages. Turnover should be pretty high too, people should be coming and going. The shop should be at least relatively welcoming, and even if you can't see into the work area, the place should be relatively clean. Talk to the staff—ask them how long they've been in business, whether they specialize in specific repairs or types of cars. Ask them what their labor guarantees are like, what parts they use, and how long they warranty those parts. Turn up your BS sensor, and evaluate how you're treated.

• Check car forums and review sites for recommendations. If you're not familiar with or a fan of the deep world of auto boards and enthusiast forums, it's okay. AutomotiveForums.com is host to forums for specific makes and models of cars, and it's often frequented by mechanics themselves looking for second opinions or help diagnosing issues. Ask around for garage suggestions based on your type of vehicle and your location. Edmunds' forums is another great place to look. If you're willing to spend money, check out Angie's List, which will certainly help you out, but it costs money to join. If you're not into car forums, try RepairPal, a service we've mentioned before that does the legwork of finding a good mechanic for you. Give them your car's make and model and the type of repair you need done, and they'll do the rest.

• Don't underestimate the value of word-of-mouth. Check with your neighbors and see where they go, and if they'd recommend their mechanic or garage. If you have a community bulletin board, apartment building website, or even a local Facebook group, ask your neighbors. They'll likely be able to give you some solid options, and there's nothing like hearing first-hand experience to help you pick a good mechanic.

If you need more tips, check out our post on what to look for in a good repair shop, and this guide from Jalopnik to finding a good mechanic. Finding someone you're comfortable taking your car to before you leave the house—or before you need something fixed—will go along way. Plus, you won't wind up stuck and desperate to try anyone just because you have work that needs to be done.