Import Auto Repair Vista
There are few things more frustrating than spending time and money to fix a car problem, only to have the issue persist or reoccur. You’re not stuck, though. Most import auto repair Vista problems can be resolved by a combination of diplomacy and perseverance, and here is a plan of attack.
Throughout the process of resolving your import auto repair Vista problem, keep all paperwork from your visits to the auto repair shop, making sure that the work performed and the amount paid is documented clearly.
Communication Is Critical
Before accusing an import auto repair shop of botching the job, it’s important to ask if you properly communicated the specific nature of the problem to the service personnel before they started troubleshooting your car’s problem.
“The key element to tracking down a problem is effective communication between the motorist and the repair facility,” says Tom Torbjornsen, host of America’s Car Show, a syndicated radio program. “The service department needs to understand when the problem occurs: under load, turning right or left, under a full moon, whatever,” Torbjornsen says.
Have a service advisor or technician take a ride with you to try to duplicate the noise or behavior. That way there will be no question about what the mechanic is trying to address. If you didn’t do this on the first visit, definitely do so on the second try.
Ask what the guarantee is on the parts and labor before beginning work. The answer will vary depending on the type of shop you use (dealer vs. independent) or the parts installed (original, original-rebuilt, or aftermarket. This will prevent surprises if the fix doesn’t “stick” with time and driving.
Work the Import Auto Repair Shop Chain of Command
If your car’s problem isn’t resolved when you pick it up after the first visit, or it reappears soon after (like the notorious “Check Engine” light that keeps appearing), it’s time to escalate the issue to the next level.
Start by speaking with the service advisor who originally helped you, or the shop foreman. Ask to get a second opinion from within the shop. He may then ask a technician with more specialized experience to troubleshoot your car problem. Because dealer service department personnel get paid bonuses based on customer satisfaction surveys, they will likely pay a lot of attention to your problem at this point.
If the car isn’t fixed the second time around, it’s time to go up the chain and explain the issue to the parts and service manager. The manager should double-check that your model isn’t subject to any technical service bulletins and make sure that a certified technician is using the latest diagnostic tools on your vehicle.
Problems seldom need to go beyond the service manager, but if he or she still can’t resolve your car’s problem to your satisfaction, ask to speak to the general manager of the dealership, followed by the dealership owner. Let them know — tactfully — that if there isn’t a satisfactory resolution, you’ll have to report it to the Better Business Bureau and the automaker.
What About Independent Auto Repair Shops?
Once a car’s factory warranty has expired, consumers are far more likely to give independent repair shops a try. But if you get the feeling that the auto repair shop is less than honest, follow your instinct to get a second opinion. You risk losing the money you’ve already spent on your initial diagnosis, but it may prevent you from throwing more money at a mechanic who can’t really help you, but won’t admit defeat.
Choose an independent repair shop approved by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Both require approved dealerships to commit to an ethical code of conduct and to submit to a binding arbitration process in the event of a customer dispute.
At Golden Wrench Automotive, we want to be the import auto repair Vista car owners can trust. Call us today to schedule an appointment to get your import auto repair Vista work done correctly the first time. For your “Stress-Free, Hassle-Free” service, call (760)940-6060 today.