How to choose a mechanic you can trust

Most people choose a mechanic in a hurry, usually after a warning light or a strange noise. A few minutes of checking before you hand over the keys saves money and arguments later. This is the checklist we use when we review workshops for the directory.

Start with the job, not the workshop

Write down what the car is doing, when it started and whether it is getting worse. A good mechanic will ask these questions anyway. Having the answers ready stops a vague "it makes a noise" turning into a vague diagnosis.

If the car is under a new-car warranty, you can still use an independent workshop for servicing as long as the work follows the manufacturer's schedule and uses parts that meet its specifications. Ask the workshop to stamp the logbook and keep the invoice.

Five questions to ask before you book

1. Do you work on this make regularly? Modern cars need make-specific diagnostic software. A workshop that sees your model every week will find faults faster than one that has to guess.
2. Is the diagnosis fee separate from the repair? Some workshops charge for the time it takes to find a fault, others fold it into the repair. Either is fine; a surprise is not.
3. Will you call before doing anything beyond the quote? The answer should be an unprompted yes. Work you did not approve is the most common complaint about repairs.
4. What parts will you use? Genuine, aftermarket and reconditioned parts all have a place. You want to know which one you are paying for and what warranty comes with it.
5. Can I have the old parts back? You may not want them, but a workshop that is happy to show you the worn brake pads or the split hose is a workshop with nothing to hide.

What a fair quote looks like

A written quote should separate parts from labour, show the hourly rate and the estimated hours, and say whether GST is included. For a bigger job, two quotes are worth the time. Do not pick on price alone: the cheapest quote sometimes leaves out the part that fails next month.

Be wary of a quote that is far below the others. It can mean the workshop has not understood the job, or plans to find "extra problems" once the car is on the hoist.

Warning signs

• No written quote, or a quote that changes without a phone call.
• Pressure to decide on the spot, or claims that the car is unsafe to drive without a clear explanation of why.
• A long list of unrelated "urgent" jobs on a car that has been running fine.
• No ABN on the invoice, or a request to pay cash only. In most states a licensed repairer has to display their licence number.

Use the directory properly

Search by the job you need rather than by "mechanic" alone. A tyre and brake specialist will usually beat a general workshop on a brake job, and an auto electrician will find an electrical fault faster. Check the listing's suburb and call before you drive over; opening hours and workload change. If a listing has a Verified owner badge, the business has confirmed its details with us.

Found a great workshop that is not listed? Add it, or tell them to. Listings are free and checked by a person.