10 Questions To Ask Your Mechanic

Taking your car to the auto shop for repairs can be stressful. Usually, the trip to the mechanic consists of dropping off your car and hoping for the best, without much knowledge of what problems they may find or what the costs might entail.

While it may be easier to drop off your keys and think “out of sight, out of mind" when it comes to your car getting fixed at the shop, asking your mechanic questions can help you develop a working knowledge of your car. That way, you'll feel more confident in your choices the next time you're in the auto shop.

Not sure where to begin? Start with these 10 questions to ask your mechanic to get the most out of your auto repairs.

These days, many cars come with manufacturer warranties. New car warranties typically last between three and five years, though some last much longer. Some pre-owned cars come with warranties too, so it's always a good idea to check your coverage to see if the repair you need is covered. Your mechanic can help you understand what is and isn't part of the warranty. Make sure to read the fine print of your vehicle's warranty, as a warranty can be voided if certain services or repairs are performed. To avoid this, be sure to understand your warranty and bring it with you to the auto shop so you can ask your mechanic about potential repairs that might void your coverage. On the topic of warranties, replacement parts ranging from batteries to engines can have warranties of their own. If you're paying for new parts, always ask your mechanic whether the part has a warranty. Knowing this could save you money in the future.

READ MORE: Find Out the Most Common Reasons for Engine Repair

While the common thought might be to avoid trips to the auto shop at all costs, routine maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle and give you more confidence when you're on the road. A tuneup can help your mechanic identify problems before they become bigger and more expensive, so ask your mechanic what routine maintenance schedule they recommend for your particular vehicle.

Your car's owner manual typically lists how often your car needs maintenance, but if it's an older vehicle or you don't have access to the manual, your mechanic can give you guidelines on when to bring your car in and answer any other car repair questions you may have.

In most cases, you'll need an oil change about every three months. During these visits, your mechanic can check your tires and brakes. Beyond that, your mechanic can recommend a maintenance schedule based on individual factors, including how much you drive and what kind of roads you take.

READ MORE: Basic Car Maintenance To Keep Your Car Humming

When you have routine maintenance done, like an oil change or brake pads, the price is fairly predictable. However, when it comes to more serious and expensive repairs, you may have different options and prices for the fix.

Your mechanic can typically give an estimate for the job, and you can always ask if there are other options than the one offered. For example, ask if your mechanic is willing to use secondhand parts, or allow you to supply the parts.

You can also always ask for a second opinion for your repair. If it's an expensive job or you just aren't sure about the repair, getting a second opinion from another shop can give you some confidence in making the right decision. Ask for a written estimate so you can compare parts, labor and fees between shops.

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If you're not a car expert, chances are you won't know whether you need to fix your car now or if you can put off repairs a bit longer. Ask your mechanic exactly what the repair is and if it's a fix you absolutely need.

Often, when you go for a simple oil change or tire rotation, you'll get a list of repairs that can be added to your bill for the day. Ask your mechanic whether the items are a safety concern, or if they'll cause more damage to your vehicle if they're not repaired immediately. If not, you can probably delay the repair for a bit.

Your bill at the mechanic is made up of two main sections: parts and labor. Before you bring your car into the shop, call at least three auto shops and compare their labor rates. This will help you get an idea of how their prices will compare to those of other mechanics in the area. Knowing how the shops line up can help you choose the one that balances prices with quality.

While you're at it, ask the shops about their policy on parts. Not all secondhand parts are priced equally. Using aftermarket parts (which aren't made by your car's manufacturer) or secondhand parts could save you money, so ask your mechanic if they offer those options. You can even ask if the mechanic will install the parts you provide—which can help you avoid the hefty markup many shops put on parts.

After you've learned about parts and labor, don't forget to ask about diagnostics. Most mechanics charge a diagnostic fee to find out what's causing a problem in your car. Ask yours whether they charge for diagnostics, and if so, how much. Typically, diagnostic fees run about $50 to $150, or about the cost of 30 minutes to an hour of labor.

Word-of-mouth recommendations can go a long way in finding a great mechanic. But if your in-person network isn't delivering, finding a repair person you trust can be tricky. One benchmark you can use is National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification, more commonly known as ASE certification.

Mechanics who are ASE certified have at least two years of experience and have to pass a test to get the certification. They need to recertify every five years, so you can rest assured that if your mechanic is ASE certified, they know all the latest best practices and tricks of the trade.

Once your vehicle is fixed, you might not be worried about what brought you into the shop in the first place. But understanding why something went wrong could help you avoid similar problems in the future.

While not all problems are avoidable, small changes—like changing the oil you use, getting regular alignments or avoiding bumpy dirt roads—could help prevent future issues. So ask your mechanic what caused the problem, and how you might be able to avoid it next time.

Sometimes your vehicle needs lots of work done, and you simply can't spare the time or money to have everything completed at once. Ask your mechanic how they recommend prioritizing the repairs. Of course, anything that compromises safety should be completed first. After that, your mechanic may be able to recommend batches of repairs that will save on labor costs by doing similar work in one visit.

Whether you're finding a new mechanic or working with the same shop you've always used, ask some of the questions on this list. You'll leave the conversation a more informed customer, and you might even increase your car knowledge along the way.

You can also discuss different payment options when talking with local auto shops. Car repairs can have a wide range when it comes to what you can expect for costs. The Synchrony Car Care credit card can help you pay for car repairs promptly, keeping you on the road and where you need to be. Apply now.