In my previous blog post I received a lot of feed back on this topic of paying for a car diagnosis if the problem can’t be found by the auto mechanic. Auto repair diagnosis can be very simple as a vacuum leak or it can be very difficult like a short in an electrical circuit. Deciding weather to pay or not to pay for your vehicle diagnostics isn’t really a choice unless you have an understanding with your auto mechanic before hand. The auto repair shop can legally hold your keys and car until the bill is paid. But of course most people realize that. As a former 25 year certified auto technician I can give you some helpful advice on paying for your diagnosis.
Help Your Mechanic Find Your Car Problem: If you have an idea of what it might be let the service writer know before hand. Give them every little detail of what the vehicle is doing and what it sounds and smells like. This will speed up his diagnostic time and your charges will stay lower. You are maybe thinking why should I give him this information if I have to pay him. Just by giving him or her this information could and will speed them up finding your problem. By the time you are through telling the auto repair shop all of the details they may have already figured out where your car problem is and how much it will take to fix and repair.
Have Your Auto Repair Shop Explain Their Diagnostic Routine:
Before you hand the auto repair shop your car or truck keys, make sure that you fully understand their diagnostic routine to you such as prices, shop labor rates, and the old shop supply charges you are will be charged. Most of the confusion when it comes time to pay for your car repair diagnosis is because the customer did not fully understand how and why they are being charged. Paying hourly can be very expensive if you fall prey to the wrong auto repair shop.
Insist on Staying and Waiting For the Auto Repair Diagnosis:
If you wait and check on the auto repair shop’s progress from time to time you can be sure they spend quality time on your vehicle rather than taking breaks and reading news papers or, this day and age playing computer games. You may be approached and asked to leave and they will call you when they find something. Don’t fall for this delay tactic and attempt to get you to leave. Tell the auto repair shop guys you don’t mind waiting.
I hope this information will help you feel better when it comes time to pay for your car or trucks diagnosis. Just remember that there will be a Small diagnostic charge which is usually a half hour or .5 of an hour weather they find the problem or not. (around $25-$35) Or you can call these guys for a very fast second opinion. The auto repair shop will not expect you to have certified trained mechanics only a phone call away! Good Luck!
Keywords- car or truck diagnosis, auto repair, car repair, vehicle repair, auto mechanic
