At some point, all car owners have to seek out a professional to repair their car. Choosing the right car repair service is important for saving you money and for making sure that the repair is done properly. There are a few different types of vehicle repair services. Here are 4 different types of car repair service to consider and when to use each of them.
General car repair centres
General car repair centres have technicians who are trained to carry out most routine repairs and maintenance. This includes MOTs, services and many minor fixes. It’s worth finding a general car repair centre in your area that is affordable and reliable. General car repair centres will usually be able to offer the best prices on many routine repairs, but may charge more than specialist for more complex and niche repairs. You may also need to book repairs and maintenance well in advance.
Specialist repairers
These are technicians who specialize in a certain type of car repair. They are worth visiting when you need more complex and niche repairs. Times when you may want to seek out a specialist include tyre repairs/replacement, paintwork/bodywork fixes, electrical repairs, windscreen repair, classic car restoration and engine performance mods. Specialists may be able to carry out these tasks faster and more reliably due to already having the tools, parts and expertise. You may also be able to save money by using a specialist. In fact, you may even be able to find specialists who do routine tasks like MOTs and brake repairs at a cheap rate.
Manufacturer-specific repairers
Some car repair centres only work on certain makes of car. It can be worth visiting a manufacturer-specific repairer for complex repairs that may need certain tools or if your warranty requires you to use a manufacturer-approved repair centre. For example, if you have a relatively new Audi, it could be important to look for an Audi repair specialist near you to protect your warranty and make sure repairs are carried out properly. Use a general repair centre, and there could be a risk that your warranty becomes void.
Mobile repair services
Mobile repair services are able to be called out to any location where they can then carry out remote repairs. This is useful if your car is damaged to the point that it cannot be driven (i.e. the tyre has blown or the clutch has worn out). A mobile repair service could also be worth using if you are busy and do not have time to take your car to a repair centre. Some of these services are even able to provide emergency repair services if you are stuck by a roadside or need your vehicle working in a hurry. Examples of repair services that are often possible to get done remotely include windscreen repairs, tyre repairs and brake repairs.
Conclusion
It is worth using a range of different repair services for different jobs. In each case, make sure to compare rates and choose a service that has good reviews or recommendations from friends and family.