A good mechanic will take the time to explain what work needs to be done.

He will, if at all possible, show you how it will be done and should give you an idea of how long it will take.

He will provide a detailed written estimate if it is requested.

He believes in preventative maintenance, that is, try to prevent major break downs before they happen by fixing the little things, instead of waiting for your vehicle to come in on a tow truck, then fix it.

A good mechanic will take the time to get to know you. He will try to understand your opinion on car repairs, and he will try to work with you instead of against you when it comes to maintenance.

A good mechanic will contact you if additional repairs are required, advise you of the cost and not proceed with the work without your consent. This is required by Law in Canada under Bill 22 (M-43)

He believes in customer satisfaction and follows up on your repairs with a phone call to see if everything is OK, or if you are having problems. The worst thing for him is to have a customer who doesn't come back but goes somewhere else and says bad things about him

Of course the easiest way to find a good mechanic is to ask your friends, family and work colleagues. Find out which mechanics and garages they use who provide a high level of customer service, and avoid like the plague the ones about which they relate horror stories!

If you have any doubts, refer to the Better Business Bureau. If there have been regular complaints against a garage, the chances are that the unhappy customers will have complained to the BBB. However, there is always a chance that the garage is not a BBB member.

At the end of the day, referrals from satisfied customers and recommendations from friends is a good way to sort out the good from the bad.

Article by "Dr" John Booth, the CHML Radio Car Doctor www.womensgarage.com