Getting your car professionally serviced is essential to keeping it running smoothly and in optimal condition. However, choosing the right garage for your car servicing is just as important as the service itself. While most professional garages offer car servicing, not all of them take the time and care required.
Garages vastly differ in their adoption of newer technologies, using different vehicle diagnostic tools and having varying levels of certification. As a result, this can lead to a variance in the quality of service and affect your car’s overall performance. Choosing a reputable garage can reduce the likelihood of unnecessary or costly repairs and minimise potential safety risks.
So, how do you choose the right garage for your car servicing, separating the pros from the amateurs? A truly reliable garage will meet certain benchmarks and garage standards, setting them apart from the rest.
In this article, we explore a handy four-point garage checklist to help you choose a trustworthy garage for reliable vehicle servicing.
1. Reviews and Recommendations
Today, most garages have an online presence to boost their business profiles and attract new customers. This makes it easier to gather information about their services as well as see reviews from customers, an essential step when evaluating garage standards. Checking out online reviews can lend valuable insights into whether you’re dealing with a professional garage.
This means you could get a preview of the garage’s technical expertise, car maintenance services, customer care, and communications. Consider how they respond to negative reviews and look for red flags such as consistent complaints, unaddressed car concerns, unreasonable costs, etc.
You could use these reviews and information as part of your personal garage checklist to help you make an informed choice.
2. Business Credentials and Industry Certifications
How would you feel entrusting your vehicle servicing to a garage that meets recognised garage standards and has industry-recognised accreditation? You’d be confident and assured about the quality of service you’d be receiving.
This is because such garages have demonstrated technical expertise and ethical business practices and have been reviewed favourably by customers.
Look out for industry certifications when you’re searching for a reputable garage. This can be a smart way to weed out garages with poor services, negative reviews and technical incompetence.
Look for garages that are DVSA-approved MOT centres or have a Motor Ombudsman membership. These are clear indicators of a professional garage taking its business seriously.
At In Town Automotive, we provide professional and reliable car services and are fully accredited. We also offer DVSA class 4 MOT tests. To learn more, call us on 01604 666 700.
3. Transparent Pricing
Reputable, well-run garages understand the importance of transparency in repair and servicing costs. Maintaining honest communication about service pricing helps build trust with customers.
It’s one of the core garage standards that boosts long-term customer loyalty. A professional garage demonstrates respect for its customer base by being upfront and accountable rather than hiding behind vague estimates.
Garages that are transparent about their pricing are likely to give you clear and detailed estimates. This includes issuing itemised invoices at the end of your car service, along with any additional service requests that they’ve made after seeking your permission.
Transparent pricing should be a non-negotiable item on your garage checklist. This can help you avoid inflated costs for standard repairs or keep you from being charged for services you didn’t agree to.
4. Work Guarantees
A garage that offers work guarantees is like music to your ears. This is because it’s proof that the garage is confident in its services and follows the highest garage standards.
While it may seem like a bonus for customers, work guarantees are a sign of professionalism, accountability and strong business ethics. These are key features you should be looking for in a reputable garage.
Typically, work guarantees & warranties include coverage of certain car parts within a stipulated time frame. This is usually recorded in writing on your service agreements or in your invoice. A professional garage would also be transparent about exceptions to such coverage, including misuse and wear and tear of components.
Consider looking for work guarantees offered by your garage, as reputable garages stand behind the quality of their work and value long-term customer loyalty.
Contact In Town Automotive for Reliable and Professional Vehicle Services Today
Professional garages are those that value their customers, constantly striving to meet garage standards by providing consistent and reliable services. A garage with a customer-centric approach and transparency will help you get the best service for your car.
Now that you know what garage standards you should be looking for, consider In Town Automotive for your vehicle’s servicing. With over 15 years of experience and many qualified mechanics, we offer high-quality car services and repairs to our customers.
We use top-of-the-line diagnostic tools to conduct full-service scans. Our technicians are well-equipped to tackle various car issues and enhance your vehicle’s health.
We recommend bringing your car into our garage for an all-inclusive health check to keep it running safely and efficiently. We also have years of experience fixing air conditioning, cambelts, exhausts, wheel alignment, and much more.
Visit our services page or contact us to book an appointment today.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk