Why Needs A Mechanic?
Whenever someone buys a vehicle whether it is used or brand new. He added a new contact in his contact list and that is a car mechanic. Because a car is a machine and it is possible to use a machine without any wear and tear or any mechanical problem. It is also necessary to keep proper maintenance to minimize wear and tear. To get a service, maintenance or repairing service we need a mechanic for our car.
Where is the issue?
Often people visit a mechanic and leave their vehicle with the mechanic. After completion of service, they receive their vehicle, and sometimes they find out that the problem persists in the vehicle. This can be happened due to two main reasons. One is that the person was unable to describe the problem properly to the mechanic or the other reason can be that the mechanic was not professional and he could not service the vehicle properly.
Below are some points which someone needs to keep in mind while visiting a car mechanic. This will help to reduce the fraudulent chances to the minimum.
Maintain Service History
It will be really good if you have maintained a logbook for the service history of your vehicle. Maintaining a service history means that that you have the complete history of the vehicle and it will help the mechanic to diagnose the issue properly. This service book must have a complete record of all services and work done on the vehicle and especially the dates of engine services.
Drivers often maintain a service log of the vehicle. They use to write down the service history, engine maintenance history, and information about the parts replaced in that logbook. You can also maintain that logbook in a notepad on your phone.
This history will help the mechanic to diagnose the issue easily and that will enable him to repair your vehicle properly.
Test Drive
Whenever you visit a mechanic, allow him to drive your vehicle for inspection. Allow him to take a test drive of your vehicle. It will enable him to diagnose the problem and it will help him to easily understand the problem. After driving the vehicle, he will better understand the problem that you are trying to explain.
Spare Parts
Sometimes there is some part in your vehicle which is needed to be replaced or repaired. There are several parts which are manufactured in Pakistan and others are needed to be imported from other countries. The life span of each part is different from the other. Whenever there is a need to replace a spare part, then you need to ask your mechanic about the part he is replacing and you must ask the life span of the newly installed part. Ask him about the different available qualities and prices of these parts.
Every time you don’t need to change the part. Sometimes the old part can be repaired, in this case, you may save your cost of repairing. A dishonest mechanic will always ask you to change the part even the old one is repairable. You need to take care of this thing that is it really necessary to change the part of the repair work will fulfill your need.
Labor
Sometimes it is necessary to take your vehicle part to another servicing station or a lathe. In this case, you must have to take care that the work which was required to be done is done or not. Sometimes mechanics says you that it requires to get repaired from lathe machine but in actual it doesn’t need to do that. To avoid such unnecessary labor costs, you must have to see the part and search for the difference before the work is done and after that repair.
Price Estimation
You must have made the feasibility of the work to be done on your vehicle. You must have to take an estimate of parts and service charges from other places before leaving your vehicle to a specific mechanic for repair.
You can also consult your friend or any family member for better price estimation.
Repair Receipts Must Be Demanded
If you are an experienced driver then you must know that periodic maintenance is easy. Even some drivers carry engine oil and filters with them and the mechanic only swaps old parts with the new ones. But if you want a big repair work to be done like engine repair then there will be a change of parts and you must have to ask the receipts for all repair works you got.
It will be better if you get the receipts and keep a record of those repair works because in future if you will have any problem then you can compare the receipts of your previous repairs and also you can check the life span of the parts you have installed previously.
It will be time-consuming if you are searching and selecting good parts and better mechanics but this time investment will save your time and money in the future and will save you from hassles in the future.