To protect yourself against unscrupulous repair shops, look for ASE or The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence-certified technicians working at the shop. Those centers are inspected by third parties and employ ASE-certified mechanics. Many technicians will work their way up to that designation over ten years or more.

Finding a certified mechanic will help you know that the mechanic has been tested and has passed a written examination as well as a hands-on certification exam. If you are unsure of what to look out for, the mechanics on staff will be happy to show you their credentials. These include a small card on their uniform with their photograph, name, qualifications, and the date they were certified.

Furthermore, choosing a mechanic for your vehicle used to be a simple task. However, this is no longer the case due to the variety of makes and models in today’s world. You will want to choose a mechanic that specializes in the make and features of your specific vehicle to get the proper care. Sometimes it is impossible to find a certified technician for your particular make and model, like Toyotas and Hondas. In this case, you will need to look for someone who works with cars very similar to yours or on similar models.