The cost of car repairs has always been a headache for drivers, especially because it often represents a surprise expense. To make matters worse, prices are soaring.
The latest government inflation data shows that car repair prices have risen 11.6% over the past year, which is one of the highest inflation rates for any spending category. (Another automotive expense, auto insurance, has seen the highest rate of inflation lately.) Given this trend, it’s increasingly important to make sure you get a fair price when your car needs repairs.
It’s easy to get robbed during car repairs if you’re not knowledgeable about vehicles and don’t do your homework. Drivers may not know what repairs are needed or what the cost of the repairs they need should be. Opportunistic mechanisms will take advantage of this if you are not careful. Here are some tips to help you navigate this difficult territory.
Get a free (or cheap) auto repair diagnosis.
The first step in fixing your car is to figure out what’s wrong. This can actually get expensive with some auto repair shops charging $100 or more for diagnostic work before performing any repairs.
Auto parts stores can be a great resource because they typically offer free code readings and battery tests. If you can figure out why the check engine light is on at a store like AutoZone, you may be able to avoid paying a repair shop for diagnostic services.
For more complicated problems, you can try a few mechanics in your area and see if anyone will take a look under the hood without a payment agreement. Some might be happy to do this at no cost to hopefully acquire a new customer.
If not, look for a shop with reasonable diagnostic fees. Ideally, the shop will subtract these fees from the final price of the repair if the work is done through them.
Choose a reputable auto mechanic
To pay a fair price for car repairs, the most important first step is finding a good mechanic you can trust, says Ben Preston, automotive journalist at Consumer Reports.
“Use word of mouth,” Preston says. “Ask your friends, ask your colleagues, see where people go for that type of job and then keep going to the same place.”
Customers often make the mistake of looking for the cheapest repair shop when they would be better off with a reputable shop that charges a higher (but fair) price, he adds.
With a good mechanic, repairs will turn out to be long-term solutions and the shop won’t insist on doing work you don’t actually need, which will save you money in the long run.
If possible, it’s helpful to start building the relationship with a repair shop when minor maintenance is needed, such as an oil change or tire rotation. You’ll get a sense of whether you like the shop, and the stakes are much lower with this type of maintenance than with an expensive repair.
Dealership repair shops vs independent mechanics
While dealership repair shops tend to do top-notch work, once your car is out of warranty, you’ll generally be better off with an independent mechanic who charges lower labor costs.
Dealership service departments have a reputation for charging high prices and pushing owners to make repairs and maintenance that aren’t really necessary.
“We’ve found that customer satisfaction at dealerships is all over the place,” Preston says. While some car brands have better repair shops than others, the services of a good independent mechanic are generally better in terms of value for money.
Occasionally, you may encounter a really tricky problem that a dealership is better equipped to handle with special tools. But if you take your car to a mechanic who is knowledgeable about your type of vehicle, he should be able to get you back on the road in the vast majority of situations.
Consider purchasing auto parts
Buying your own parts can be a way to save money on car repairs or things that need to be replaced regularly, like tires. You can compare prices online from companies like Advanced Auto Parts or RockAuto, order exactly what you need, and have your mechanic do the installation or repair.
Many drivers prefer to use OEM or “original equipment manufacturer” parts, which means the replacement is identical to the original. In other situations, aftermarket parts may be fine. In any case, if you buy the parts yourself, you know exactly what is going into your vehicle.
On the other hand, it can be difficult for non-experts to locate the parts they need. Additionally, your repair shop may get discounts that make parts prices cheaper than you can find on your own. Either way, by exploring your options, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.
Get more quotes
Especially for more expensive car repairs, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several shops in the area, according to Brian Moody, executive editor of Kelley Blue Book.
While this can be time-consuming (and may not be feasible if your vehicle is undrivable), getting multiple quotes will give you peace of mind that you’re getting a fair price and not paying for unnecessary repairs.
There are also online tools and forums that can give you an idea of how much people typically pay for the repair your car needs.
Try to negotiate
You may not think of car repairs as something you have to haggle over, but sometimes customers can be successful with the right approach.
“The most likely scenario for a successful deal is to have an ongoing relationship with a service shop,” Moody says. “As a repeat customer, that shop may be more likely to help you by accepting payments or reducing the price of a job in an effort to earn your repeat business.”
Dealerships usually advertise fixed prices, but you should look into possible discounts. Some car dealerships send service coupons to customers or list discounts and special offers on their websites. Service advisors may also sometimes have discretionary budgets to use to give customers breaks, for example, if a car needs a repair and is only a few hundred miles out of warranty, Moody says.
According to survey data from Consumer Reports.
When you get a quote, ask for a cost breakdown (for example, how much you’re paying for parts versus labor). You can compare these prices with what you see online. If you feel like the prices listed are too high, report it to the repair shop and see if they can make you a better offer.
You can always move your business elsewhere or take some time to think about it. Don’t feel pressured into making hasty car repair decisions when there’s a lot of money at stake.
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