How to get a fair deal when you get your car serviced

Do you have a sinking feeling when your mechanic calls you to tell you what is going on with your car and the costs involved? You’re certainly not alone. At Car Servicing & You, we put honesty, fairness and transparency first when it comes to you and your vehicle. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to empower you to get a fair deal on your next car service or repair.

1. Get friendly with your car

The first step to ensuring you have a positive and fair car servicing experience is getting familiar with your vehicle. You can read through your car’s owner’s manual to familiarise yourself with valuable information about servicing schedules. It should tell you how often to get your car serviced, as well as which parts need to be replaced and when.

Becoming as educated as possible about the particular make and model of your car will enable you to make educated decisions when it comes to servicing and repairs.

2. Provide as much information as possible

Have you noticed a problem with your car? Perhaps a strange noise or new rattle? Diagnosing automotive issues can be a complicated and time consuming process often involving trial and error. Gathering and communicating as much information as possible about the exact nature of your issues will help streamline the diagnostic process, saving you time and therefore money.

3. Ask for a written estimate of costs

When it comes to pricing, communication is key. Asking for a written estimate of how much your service or repair will cost is a great way to open up communication channels and set expectations.

Ask questions or request an itemised list if there are any aspects of the service or repair that don’t make sense to you. Understanding why certain repairs or maintenance is required will empower you to avoid obvious upsells.

It’s also a good idea to explicitly tell your auto technician that you’d like them to contact you before going ahead with any additional work that goes beyond the estimate. A good auto technician will always be happy to take the time update you and explain the reasoning behind the work they intend to complete.

4. Don’t be afraid to switch mechanics and compare quotes

It’s human nature to develop a certain sense of loyalty to your auto technician, but if you feel like you might be getting a bad deal it’s time to bite the bullet and investigate alternative options.

Comparing quotes is a useful way to get a feel for what fair pricing looks like for your car. At Car Servicing & You we also offer straightforward fixed price servicing packages, with a transparent breakdown of possible surcharges published on our website.

5. Bring your car in for a service on time

Finally, the simplest way to avoid paying more for your service is to make sure you bring your car in on time!

It’s tempting to delay your scheduled service if there’s nothing obviously wrong with your car, but we all know that prevention is better than a cure. Putting off essential maintenance is sure to cost you more in the long run.

Our logbook servicing option is perfect for scheduled services on your new car that won’t void your manufacturer’s warranty.

At Car Servicing & You we give you honest, reliable advice about what your car needs, and what it doesn’t. We have locations in Carnegie, Ormond and Keilor Park for your convenience. Book online today and we’ll take care of the rest.