Questions To Ask Your Mechanic

There is a reason that we rely on mechanics to do a lot of our car repairs; they know what they are doing! That being said, there is no reason you should not know what is going on when you hire someone to repair your car. Wrench has put together a list of helpful questions to ask your mechanic so that you are well-informed about the work being done and confident that you are leaving your car in the right hands. It is your car and you have the right to understand the work being put into it. At Wrench, our ASE-certified mobile technicians are happy to answer any and all questions you may have about your car or the work they are doing. Knowing the right questions to ask will help you have a better understanding of your vehicle, and educating yourself about car maintenance will also help you spot issues your car may be having before they get too serious.

Here are some great questions to ask:

• What are your (the mechanic's) certifications? At Wrench, all of our mobile technicians are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)-certified, meaning they have shown proof of expertise and are tested regularly on their skills. Using an ASE-certified mechanic will ensure that you can trust the work they are doing and their reasoning behind it. That being said, do not hesitate to ask questions about the process if you are unsure what is being done to your car.
• Can you explain to me what repairs you are doing? You have a right to know what is being done to your car and a skilled mechanic will be able to explain what is happening in language that everyone can understand. In the same way that you should know what you are paying for, you deserve to know the specifics of the services. Not only does this provide transparency, it also makes you more knowledgeable and better equipped to handle an issue like this in the future.
• Follow up question: what caused the problem? If you can understand why the repair had to happen in the first place, you may be able to avoid a similar situation in the future. Perhaps the issue was related to the way you are braking or topping off your fluids, and you may be able to make small adjustments to avoid something like this down the road.
• Which repairs are necessary and which are recommended? When having a mechanic assess your vehicle, they might present you with a list of things that could use tuning-up, repair, or replacement. If you are not making an appointment for a specific reason, be sure to ask about the severity of the repairs and which ones are the most important. There may be some that can wait a couple of months but others that are endangering your safety on the road. A skilled technician will be able to point out the differences in services and advise you on how to approach the repair process.
• Can I get a cost estimate? This should include parts, labor, taxes, etc. and can be presented before any work is done. Wrench offers a free quote before you get any work done by asking a series of questions regarding your car and any issues it may be having. Getting a quote will avoid any surprises about the cost of the services and help you understand what you are paying for.
• What kind of warranty do you offer? Warranties vary from shop-to-shop so it is a good idea to research or ask about warranties before any work is done to the car. At Wrench, we offer a “12 month/12,000 mile warranty” to ensure that our customers are protected if something were to go wrong with the repair. For more information on Wrench’s warranty, click here.
• Am I up-to-date on the maintenance schedule? The owner’s manual for your vehicle has a maintenance schedule detailing when various services should be performed based on the make and model and how much use it has gotten. Your mechanic should be able to tell you where your car stands on the maintenance plan and can outline potential repairs that you may have to get done in the future. This can help you budget for future repairs and schedule an appointment if necessary. At Wrench, we save this information regarding your maintenance schedule and can send you reminders as it gets closer to when these services should be performed.

You should feel comfortable asking your mechanic any questions you may have about your car, and if that means shopping around until you find someone you are comfortable with, that is completely fine. Mechanics should be transparent and educated, so trust your judgment if you sense that information is being withheld. Do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions, especially when your safety and the safety of your vehicle is on the line. Our Wrench mobile technicians are more than willing to explain all of the work they are doing in order to ensure customer safety and satisfaction. If you have further questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, hello@wrench.com, or by phone, 844-997-3624.