When it comes time to get your car fixed make sure to follow the advice below.

Plan ahead

Being proactive and finding a good shop before you actually need any repairs done will prevent you from making a rushed (and possibly bad) decision. Call a few different shops in your area before choosing one. You may even want to check with the Better Business Bureau for any negative or positive feedback on them.

Ask for recommendations

If you don’t already have a shop mechanic that you trust to repair your car, start by asking your friends, family and co-workers who they take their own cars to for servicing and repairs. A shop’s reputation is an important factor to consider.

Make sure the shop is neat and organized

When you get to the shop, look around to make sure it is neat, well organized and has professional staffs that are willing to answer your questions. Also check to see whether or not they use new or used auto parts.  Using Recycled Auto Parts is a great way to save money and the environment.

Check that licenses and certifications are current

Certification alone does not guarantee of good or honest work, but it’s still important to make sure the shop mechanics have current certifications. Shops with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) seal are a safer bet.

Ask about experience

Not all cars or brands are made equally, so ensuring that the shop has experience working on the same make or model vehicle as yours is a good idea.

Find out how the pricing works

Some shops charge a flat rate per hour for labor on car repairs based on an independent or manufacturer’s estimate of how long it takes to complete the repairs. Others charge based on the actual time the technician worked on the repair. Which is better? It depends on what you’re getting done. It may be cheaper to consider auto recycling.

Get a second opinion

If you choose a shop and get an estimate for work but it seems too expensive, go and get a second opinion from another shop. This way, you can make an educated decision on which to go with. But before you get an estimate from either shop, make sure you know whether or not they will charge you a diagnostic fee.

Read the fine print

When you get an estimate, make sure it is signed and that you read it over in detail (including the fine print so that there are no surprises after the work is done. The estimate should identify what is being repaired, parts and anticipated labor charges.

Watch for red flags

A red flag that the repair shop you’re checking out is not a good option is whether or not there are cars in the garage being worked on and cars waiting in the parking lot to be brought in. If the shop is like a ghost town, you probably don’t want to go there. They might get your car in right away, but there’s probably a reason they’re not popular so do your research beforehand. The better auto repair shops will likely have cars waiting for repairs or customers picking up their cars. Another red flag is when you walk in and customers are arguing with the staff and clearly unsatisfied.

Sometimes your old car has just reached the end of its useful life and if that is the case it might be time to Donate Your Car To Charity or simply have it recycled at your local junk yard.