As far as cars go, I'm just a layman who can read a workshop manual. Over the years almost every garage I've used, from main franchise to small independent, has shown their incompetence all too readily, compared to my basic knowledge.
My needs are straightforward - I only want jobs doing that are needed - if there are choices I want to be involved, by phone, before the work is done - the work should be done competently - the work should be value for money.
I don't have any problem with mechanics making a living and proprietors making a profit, I just don't want to be conned.
I don't think I'm on my own with these requirements - has anyone else got a selection process that works?
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There is a website called www.honestjohn.co.uk click on directories and you will find good garages. ; - )
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Busy independents - avoid big franchises where there's obviously staff hanging around waiting for a work to come in.
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Word of moth.
Avoid these ~ they're knit pickers! ;-)
--
L\'escargot.
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If all else fails try and find a 'family' run concern. There was a good one where I lived in Lincolnshire - a father and his 3 sons. I have good local Peugeot dealer which is family owned and run, just one branch and a good bunch of related people running it. Not notably better than a big muliti outlet franchise, but willing and one doesn't have to book a service 2 weeks ahead!
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You can't beat personal recommendation. Ask around neighbours, work colleagues, friends. Don't be put off by a garage that makes the occasional mistake - it's how they deal with problems that's at least as important as how they perform under normal circumstances. Do they acknowledge they've screwed up, do they sort the problem out to the customer's satisfaction? Example: my local garage fitted an assymetric tyre the wrong way round. Four months down the line, I discover this whilst changing brake pads (it was subtly assymetric which is why I didn't spot it). Their reaction was to apologise, and not refit the same tyre properly but put on a brand new tyre as it would not have worn correctly. That's service.
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I found two excellent independent services by talking to a local non-dealer parts & accessories shop (VAG). I'm still employing the one I found four years ago, the bonus being that he is mobile and does all the work at my house. The thing I value most highly is the opportunity to talk about everything with him at length and explore all the options. I'm confident that I'm not only paying at hourly rates half those of a main dealer but I am also getting a higher standard of work.
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You could try this website: www.whotouse.co.uk/index.html
It is supposedly based on recommendations from individual customers. Have only used it once but I found a trustworthy, reliable, cost effective plumber using this site.
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Where are you based in the country? Someone on here may be able to recommend someone very local to you.
For instance, I know that the best and cheapest mechanic in the world is based in Cardiff, and he even had an old Trooper up on the ramp when I picked my car up today, but that won't help you if Cardiff is too far for you to go.
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David, who's the mechanic in Cardiff out of curiosity?
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