Auto Repair Warranty Offers Many Different Options

If you’ve been researching warranties online, you might think you have a handle on the auto repair warranty. It is pretty simple, right? If something breaks, the warranty will cover the cost to repair or replace it.

But there’s a problem with that statement. Not everything that breaks is covered in every situation.

There are two types of parts failures, as far as your warranty is concerned. A part either fails because of a mechanical breakdown, or it fails because of accumulated wear and tear. And in most warranties, there is a world of difference between the two situations.

If there is a failure in a part because of a fault that was introduced in the production or assembly stages, that will be repaired under most warranties. But what if the part was perfectly fine when it came out of the factory, and there were no problems with its installation? Why would a part break otherwise?

The older your car gets, the more likely it is that a part will fair due to repetitive use, or “wear and tear”. Think of it like you would a pair of sneakers. If the sole rips off the first time you go for a run, you will likely be able to return them for a full refund. If the stitching comes undone after a week, it won’t be your fault. But if you run and run and run, and eventually, the heel wears down to the point that it cracks, you certainly wouldn’t be able to return them for a refund. The same principle applies to your car. The longer you own your car, and the more mileage you put on it, the more likely it is that a part failure will be due to “wear and tear”.

So what? Won’t the warranty cover wear and tear damage? It is impossible to speak for every warranty out there, but many of them, the answer is no. And of course, if it is not covered, you might find yourself having to argue with the warranty provider about what constitutes “wear and tear”. This is why you will want to read the fine print of a prospective new auto repair warranty before you sign it. A “mechanical breakdown only” warranty will likely cost a lot less, but the older the car, the more likely that your part failure will simply be written off as “wear and tear”, and the costs for repair or replacement will fall squarely on your shoulders.

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How To Find Local Auto Repair Shops

Being able to find a good local auto repair shop is part of budgeting wisely. If you own a vehicle, you will need to pay for the scheduled maintenance that keeps your vehicle running smoothly. There may also be major repairs that need to be performed. By having already chosen and worked with a shop, you will be able to save yourself some worries.

To start, ask people you know who they have do their auto work. Someone will have a great mechanic in mind for you and someone else will be able to tell you who they believe you should steer clear of. In addition, ask them if the repair was completed on time. Did the shop do what they said they would do? Was the bill the amount you were quoted? Are they happy with the service they received?

Check with the better business bureau for any complaints that have been lodged against the shop. Also find out if they were solved to the satisfaction of the customer. Another place to get more information is the internet. There are several sources that will review or comment on shops.

An advantage to using a shop locally is they will want you to refer other customers to them, and will work hard to please you as a customer. They do not specialize in any one particular make or model but rather have experience with working on everything. This experience makes it possible for them to find the issue more quickly and at times offer solutions that may save you money in the long run.

Find out if they have a certificate for ASE Master Mechanic. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and is a voluntary program that test mechanics on repair issues. Once they pass the test they receive the certificate. If the shop does not have one for master mechanic, do they have an ASE certificate at all? You may want to also ask how many years of experience their technicians have.

Take the vehicle into the shop for an oil change or something else that is simple. While there, you can determine if the technicians seem knowledgeable and skilled at their work. Also, if they charge you the amount agreed upon or if they have hidden charges that you did not know about until the work was completed. This will give you an opportunity to find out if you like the shop before you need major work done.

There are several reasons to find a good local auto repair shop. They are a part of the community and will want to do a good job so that you will refer them to others. If there is an issue with the repair, they are close by to correct it for you.

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Some Auto Repair Shops Can Keep Your Boredom at Bay

If you need to get auto repair soon, you are probably not looking forward to having to stay at the shop all day while the vehicle is fixed. But some shops are aware of this and have taken steps to improve this issue. Consider some of your options that you may have, depending on the business you choose.

Some shops now offer a car for customers to borrow while their vehicle is fixed. You should find out if your local auto repair business does this. Of course, you might have to meet some requirements first, like leaving a copy of your driver’s license so that the staff can rest assured that not only do you have a valid license, but they can contact you if you do not return. Then again, you leaving your car there might be enough collateral. Note that you are most likely to be able to borrow a loaner car at a smaller shop.

Many shops find it easiest to simply give their customers a ride home when they leave their vehicle to get fixed. They then pick up customers when the car is ready. This is helpful since it means you will not have to hang out around the shop all day as your vehicle gets fixed. Of course, you may still have trouble getting to work or school if the repairs take more than a day, so be sure this option suits you best before you choose an auto repair business with this offering.

Some shops cannot afford to offer either service, but they go out of their way to make sure their waiting room is stocked with entertainment. They might have cable television, free snacks and coffee, and Internet connection so you can bring your laptop or tablet and go online. Some shops even have a few computers in their waiting room so customers can go online without having to bring their own equipment. You might consider finding out what your local auto repair business offers before you decide to spend the day there. After all, you may be able to get some work done with an Internet connection, or at least stay entertained with the television while you wait.

This is just one of the ways to choose an auto repair business to go to. However, many people forget they have options and no longer have to wait all day while reading an old magazine. If you do not want to be bored or feel like you are wasting an entire day when you get your vehicle repaired, look into these options.

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