Money matters when it comes to auto repairs. When you’re on a tight budget, it makes necessary car repairs that much more stressful. Having the right mechanic and knowing which questions to ask when your car is at an auto repair shop can help alleviate some of that stress and fit repairs into your budget. It’s important to understand each mechanic’s process and ensure you know what you’re getting into, so try asking these questions the next time your car is in the shop.
What Communication Can Be Expected as Part of the Process?
One of the most important factors in choosing the right mechanic is understanding their process and how you’ll
be informed of new information or options. Anytime you drop off your car with a mechanic, it’s a good idea to ask what communication you can expect and when. Not only will this help prevent surprises, but you’ll also get a better understanding of how they manage their customer relationships. At a minimum, you should expect communication after the initial diagnosis, when it’s necessary to choose which repairs will be done, as well as if new problems arise during the auto repair service.
Which Repairs Must Be Done Right Away, and Which Can Wait?
Post-diagnosis repair suggestions can be frustrating. How do you know which auto repairs are absolutely necessary to take care of right away and which can wait? It falls on your mechanic to explain fairly which are high priority and which don’t need to be done right away. That means you need to know you can trust your mechanic’s judgment and expertise.
When you bring your car to any AAMCO location, you can expect to hear from us after diagnosing repairs, including recommendations for how to prioritize any necessary repairs. We understand that it’s not always reasonable to take care of every single repair in one visit, so we aim to help you make an educated decision on how to proceed with your auto repair service with us.
What Options Do You Have for Spacing Out Repairs?
When deciding which car repairs should be done right away and which you’ll wait and come back for, it’s also important to ask your mechanic what your options are for spacing out repairs. Certain car problems do not lend themselves well to waiting and can lead to bigger car problems if you continue driving without having them repaired.
As part of our post-diagnosis discussion with you, our AAMCO mechanics will explain which car repairs can easily escalate. This can help give you a timeline for when certain repairs should be done. Whether they need to be done today, can wait but should be done soon, or are very low priority, it’s important to fully understand your options.
What Are the Options for Financing?
Finally, putting together the money to pay for car repairs is one of the most stressful aspects. While your budget should also be part of the conversation about which auto repairs to prioritize, it can also help to understand your payment options. Does your mechanic offer any financing plans or other ways to space out payments? Especially when dealing with a major auto repair service, it can be tough to pull together the necessary money right away.
To help alleviate financial stress from auto repairs, AAMCO offers financing options to help you pay for any necessary repairs. More information about options for financing can be found on our website or you can ask us about your personal options when you bring your car to us for diagnosis and repair.
For the Best Auto Repair Shop in Colorado, Come to AAMCO
When you need a mechanic you can trust to stay in touch throughout the auto repair process, your local AAMCO is your best option. Customer relationships are our priority, which means we’ll work with you throughout the diagnosis and repair process to ensure you stay informed and have the power to make informed decisions about what should be done to your car and when.