How do you find good vehicle repair shop?

Tag : Home Repair Tools

Vehicle repairs are a big hassle. You need to drop your vehicle offat the repair shop, get a ride to work or home, get a ride backagain when it is repaired, and in the meantime you probably don'thave a vehicle to run necessary errands. Then there is the cost ofrepairs. Did they charge too much? Did they repair it correctly?Can I rely on their service? Eliminating much of the frustrationand aggravation can be accomplished if you take your vehicle to aquality repair shop. The big question is how do I find such a shop?
Over the years, I have been through many automotive repair shops.Some were very good -- some were very bad, and it doesn't take longfor me to figure out which ones are good. Recently, I was given aquick tour of an excellent repair shop. Derek Atwill, Manager ofAtwill Service Centre in Ottawa spent some time with me as wewalked through their repair facility. Atwill Service Centre is afamily-operated shop with 14 bays inside and two more bays outsidethat can be used in fair weather. We may not be close enough totake advantage of the Atwill service, but by looking at what makesthis a superior repair shop, you will likely be able to find asimilar shop in your own locale.
First impressions are important and that is no different in arepair shop. Step into Atwill's reception area and customers aregreeted with a large open foyer with large windows to both theoutside and a view of the shop. Comfortable sofa's and chairs, alarge television and even a paperback novel exchange library arethere for customers that may want to wait for their vehiclerepairs. A spotless ceramic tile floor sets the standard for therest of the facility. Even the restrooms are spotless and featuremodern automatic taps and paper towel dispenser. I have found thatrestrooms are a great clue. If they care enough to keep therestroom in good shape, they will look after your vehicle in asimilar manner.
Inside the shop, the floor is clean and tools are neatly organized.Computer terminals with large screen monitors enable thetechnicians to access the latest service information and bulletins.Access to service information is critical to successful andefficient repair of today's vehicles and Atwill subscribes to threedifferent systems to ensure the best repairs.
The latest diagnostic equipment is in use and the Atwill missionstatement includes the statement that they will be competitive and"will ensure that our business has the most current technologythrough research, growth and prosperity." When was the last timethat you have seen a mission statement from a repair facility?Atwill lives up to theirs. They recently sent technicians to theU.S. for training in new vehicle technology and have plans to gettraining on Hybrid vehicle repair.
Derek Atwill proudly told me they are a "one-stop" shop and thatthey work on many brand new vehicles from repeat customers. If avehicle needs repair that is covered under warranty, they take thevehicle to the dealership to have it done. If the vehicle needs awindshield or detailing, it can be done on site. Atwill looks afterthe complete vehicle, with the equipment and technicians to performwheel alignments, emissions certification and even install andbalance your new 22-inch custom wheels and tires.
Perhaps you may not recognize what is the latest in diagnostics andrepair equipment when you see a shop, but by talking with theservice personnel, you can quickly determine what type of repairsthey can do. If the shop is working on new vehicles, then theyundoubtedly have newer equipment. If all the vehicles in the repairbays are older, then probably the equipment and technician's skillsmatch the vehicles. Do you want them working on your new vehicle?Finally, an automotive repair shop does get dirty, but a neat,organized and well-maintained facility is a good indication thatthey will repair your vehicle in a similar fashion. At a time whenmany smaller shops are closing their doors because they haven'tkept up with technology, progressive shops like Atwill's have aprosperous future, and that means we will have choices of where weget our vehicles repaired.
Jim Kerr is an experience mechanic, instructor of automotivetechnology, freelance journalist and member of the AutomobileJournalists' Association of Canada.