Taking your car to an auto repair shop for services is never fun to do, especially when you have to pay out of pocket for services that your insurance doesn't cover. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to save money on auto repairs. Here are four ways to get the best deal.
Receive a Written Estimate: When you bring your car in for repairs, always be sure that you receive a written estimate. Without a written estimate, there is a chance that you will be paying more than you expected at the end. Plus, you won't be able to refute any additional costs once the repairs are done because you won't have a written estimate to compare with the final cost. A good auto repair shop will provide you with a written estimate and always request your permission before doing any additional work on your vehicle.
Go to at Least Two Shops: When you need repairs done to your vehicle, it's always a good idea to receive a quote from at least two different trustworthy shops. If you aren't sure which shops to go to, call your insurance company. Your insurance company will have a list of trusted auto shops in the area to provide you with. When you receive a quote from different trustworthy shops, you'll be able to determine which shop is likely to provide you with the most affordable repairs.
Ask About Labor Rates: Included in the repair costs will be the hourly cost of the mechanics labor. You should know what this hourly rate is so that if the shop requests additional time to work on your vehicle, you can determine how much more you will be spending on the repairs in the end. Most states require that auto shops legally provide you with this rates, so don't feel like it's something you shouldn't be asking about.
Ask for Old Parts Back: When you request for your old parts back, it guarantees that the shop is going to replace your old parts with new parts instead of attempting to restore the old parts back to like-new condition. On top of this, you may be able to sell your old parts yourself. If the parts are sellable, you can even ask for the auto shop to compensate you for the cost of the parts, and they will sell the parts themselves so that you don't have to deal with it.
When you know these four ways to save money on auto repair services, you can be sure that you get the most out of your repairs. If you need to repair your car, contact Blue Valley Garage for a written estimate.