ADVICE TO WOMEN CAR OWNERS
To all women who own cars or have access to a vehicle, this post if to help you ask the relevant question when you take your vehicle to the mechanics. We know not every but most mechanics take advantage of ladies because most of the don’t have the basic knowledge about their vehicle. In this blog we are going to take you through the questions you need to ask in your mechanic and understand what is happening with your vehicle.
When you are speaking with a mechanic about a repair you need to be done, it’s important to ask clear and specific questions. This is in order to gauge your mechanic honesty, and expertise in the automotive field.
Here are some effective questions to consider:
- Can you explain the problem in detail?
– Do not just get a problem and solution to how they are going to fix your vehicle. Always asking for a detailed explanation can help you assess their understanding of the issue. Some of the mechanic might just be playing mind games with you because they assume you being female, do not have a clue about the mechanical aspect of your vehicle. Once you have more information about your vehicle you will be able to document if the same issue/problem happens again and gauge if your mechanic really fixed the issue. Or you will know how to maintain your vehicle in order for the problem not to arise again - What specific repairs are necessary, and why?
– Once you know more about the problem, a good mechanic should be able to explain why each repair is needed and how his going to addresses the problem. The solution should be either permanent or last you for a long while without breaking down after a week or month depending by your mileage. - Can you show me the damaged parts?
– Always ask to see the part that is damaged and need to be replaced. After the part has been replaced ask to be shown the new part that has been installed in your car. Some mechanics are crooked and will replace a faulty component in your car with a counterfeit part in the market. Thus days after leaving the garage your vehicle will break down again because of the same problem. - What are the costs associated with each repair?
– Ask for a breakdown of costs. That means they should write down an itemized invoice of the cost of purchasing the parts are and their labor charges. This way you can verify with motor vehicle part dealer or other trusted friend if your mechanic is over charging you or his or her rates are fair. - How long will the repairs take?
– Before even the work start they should tell you how long the work is going to take. Most of the mechanic after providing the down payment and you leave the garage, they proceed to work on other vehicle and forget about your car until you show up to collect and start giving you funny stories. Just have a contract that on this date you will be collecting your vehicle failure to which they would be in breach of the contract. - What warranties do you offer on parts and labor?
– A trustworthy mechanic will offer warranties, which can indicate confidence in their work and a mechanic whose not sure will start giving you stories. - Are there any alternative solutions?
– Maybe the part does not require replacement and can be services or modified to push another 10,000 miles. Just because a part is faulty it does not necessary mean you will keep having to buy a new one. - Have a written estimate before work commence?
– Having a written down estimate will help you stick with the budget and your mechanic won’t start increasing the charges again as work continues. Some mechanics are known to start saying the discovered another part was faulty and so they had to increase the charges. Everything should be documented and even signed for legal purposes. - Have you seen this issue before?
– You can ask your mechanic if they have experienced this problem before and how they handled it. This will help you gauge his/her level or expertise. - What happens if the problem isn’t fixed?
- Ask them what will happen will happen if the problem is not fixed by the solution they offered you.
Tips for Assessing Honesty:
- Trust your instincts: If something feels off do not hesitate to seek a second opinion.
- Research common repair costs: Familiarize yourself with typical charges for the repairs needed to avoid being overcharged.
- Ask for recommendations: If you have friends or family who have had positive experiences with a mechanic.
By asking these questions and being informed, you can better evaluate the mechanic’s honesty and ensure that you receive the necessary and fair repairs for your vehicle.