Knoxville, TN – Knowledge is power; unfortunately for many motorists finding a trusted auto repair shop is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
A recent AAA survey revealed two of three U.S. drivers do not trust auto repair shops, citing overcharges, recommendations for unnecessary services and poor past experiences for their lack of confidence.
[1]AAA advises finding a trusted mechanic is more important than ever.
“For most motorists their vehicle is their lifeline; which they depend on daily to operate safely on the road” said Stephanie Milani, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Finding a reliable auto repair shop is important when you find yourself stranded on the side of the road.”
Shopping for a repair facility before you need one minimizes stress associated with vehicle repair. AAA found that one-third of U.S. drivers, 72 million motorists in total, have yet to find a trusted repair facility, which leaves them vulnerable when trouble strikes.
To find a trustworthy auto repair shop, AAA suggests that drivers do their homework:
- Look for a repair shop before issues occur. Ask family and friends for recommendations and visit AAA.com/autorepair [2] to locate a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility near you.
- Research potential repair shops and find out how long they have been in business. This can be a good indicator of shop quality. Also, look into how they deal with consumer complaints. The Better Business Bureau, State Department of Consumer Affairs or Attorney General’s office can provide those complaints.
- Visit the auto repair shop for a minor job such as an oil change or tire rotation. While waiting, talk with shop employees and inspect the shop’s appearance, amenities, technician credentials, and parts and labor warranty. If you find the service to be good, stick with them. Build a relationship with the technician so they can get to know you and your vehicle.
- Check for certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
- If your vehicle is under warranty, you may be required to go to a dealership for warranty repairs. Routine maintenance may be performed anywhere.
- Some repair facilities specialize in certain makes. Check to make sure they have the latest training and equipment needed to repair your vehicle.
With today’s cars collecting a variety of data about the health of the vehicle, drivers need a trusted repair facility more than ever. “Connected cars” with built-in diagnostic capabilities can alert drivers to vehicle trouble and help repair shops quickly and accurately address issues.
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Unsurprisingly, given concerns around data security, AAA found that the majority of U.S. drivers want the ability to direct their vehicle’s data to the repair shop of their choice – the trusted facility with whom they have built a relationship.
Additional findings from the survey include:
- The top reasons that U.S. drivers do not trust repair shops are:
- Recommending unnecessary services (76 percent)
- Overcharging for services (73 percent)
- Negative past experiences (63 percent)
- Concerns that the work will not be done correctly (49 percent)
- Older drivers are more likely to trust auto repair shops than younger drivers.
- Baby Boomers are twice more likely than younger generations to fully trust auto repair facilities in general, with one-in-five reporting they “totally trust” the industry.
- Baby Boomers (76 percent) are also more likely to have a chosen auto repair shop that they trust compared to Millennials (55 percent) and Gen-Xers (56 percent).
AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program was created more than 35 years ago and includes nearly 7,000 facilities across North America.
[320left]Once a shop meets AAA’s high standards, including certifications, technical training, cleanliness, and insurance requirements, it becomes part of the AAR program where it’s re-inspected annually and monitored for customer satisfaction.
AAA members receive several unique benefits by selecting an AAR facility, including priority service, a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty, discounts on repairs, free inspections, AAA assistance with dispute resolutions and more.
For additional information about the survey, including a fact sheet and infographics, visit NewsRoom.AAA.com [4].
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to over 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana.
ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 56 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.