Getting your car serviced? Here’s how to get your money’s worth!
Having your car serviced is something you’ll inevitably have to do if you want to keep your car in good running condition for longer. Although cliché, the saying “a stitch in time saves nine” really does apply to car owners and failure to keep up with services could result in some major problems.
FirstForWomen car insurance suggests that in order to make the most of your car services, it helps to know a bit about what needs to be done, who it should be taken to and what it will cost you. Doing some research may be time consuming but better formed decisions can be cost effective and save you from a lot of trouble.
How to make the best decisions for you and your vehicle:
Get quotes
Because, as a woman, you’re a careful and great decision-maker, you might want to get quotes before deciding on a mechanic. You should be able to get an estimate on how much a standard service would cost, and by phoning around to different places, you’ll get a good idea of what you should be paying. Remember, too, that your service book will likely specify what is required for every major service, so use this as a guide on what needs to be done.
Of course, there is the possibility that your vehicle will need more than the standard service, but at least you can accurately gauge what you should be paying for the regular items.
Ask a friend
One of the best ways to shop around for anything is to listen to referrals from your friends and family. Ask your loved ones to recommend someone; this is a better guide to good service than just about anything else.
Ask for replaced parts
There isn’t much you can do with the parts of your car that have been replaced, but by seeing what has been changed, you’ll know that you’re getting exactly what you paid for.
Ask to be consulted
Good mechanics will consult with you before doing any repairs over and above the standard service. But in any case, it’s a good idea to ask that they get the go-ahead from you before proceeding. After you’ve carefully planned your finances and researched a good mechanic, it can be a shock if you get a big bill that you haven’t budgeted for. And remember to get all quotes in writing, so that you take care of yourself; this way you can have recourse should any repairs be done without your permission.
Inspect the car
You’ll need to be fairly clued up on your car if you’re going to inspect all the work done to it, which isn’t realistic for most people. However, check out what you can before you leave the workshop. For example, if your air con needed re-gassing or your air filters needed to be replaced, check that the air conditioning is working nicely.
Be upfront
If you have a problem with your car, telling the mechanic about it will lessen the time the repairs take. They will also know what to look out for when they’re working on your vehicle, so you’ll get better service.
Stand up for yourself
Regardless of what your mechanical knowledge may be, you know your car better than anyone else. If something doesn’t feel right with it, there is nothing wrong with standing up and saying so.
So now that you know how to make the best decisions when taking your vehicle for a service, you can achieve what is most important to you, knowing that you’ve taken care of your car.
Source: Firstforwomen