If you Google 'car mechanic Brisbane' or 'mechanical repairs Sunshine Coast' you'll find thousands of results. It's great to have options but how do you choose? How do you know where to find the best mechanical repairs on the Sunshine Coast?
One of the first things I always look at is the state of the workshop. I personally believe it's impossible to do well at anything if you're surrounded by clutter. So, if the workshop is dirty and untidy, with tools left on the floor and spare parts left everywhere, I would probably suggest looking elsewhere.
How Clean Is The Workshop?
Today's cars require precision tuning for the best performance and stringent checks for the safety of you and your passengers. In a messy workshop, I'd be afraid they'd forget to tighten the wheel nuts or top up the brake fluid!
The way in which you are welcomed also tells you a lot. By rights, you shouldn't get anywhere near the actual workshop for health and safety reasons. Far better to step into a reception area and receive a friendly welcome in a safe, comfortable environment. If you're a regular you could expect to be greeted by name.
Customer Service
If you're booked in for a log book service they shouldn't be any nasty surprises. I'm wary of any car mechanic in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast who uses scare tactics. This is particularly relevant for female customers. I sometimes wonder if I've got 'idiot' or 'sucker' stamped on my forehead!
Any driver, male or female, should try and acquaint themselves even a little with the workings of their vehicle, and what is generally required for each service. If the mechanic starts reeling off a long list of crucial jobs that cost a fortune, don't be afraid to ask questions, or get a second opinion.
Courtesy Car
A good mechanic will only do what's necessary that day - and explain why it had to be done - and then supply you with a list of future jobs and costs so you can plan and budget. And remember, even if your car is brand new, it doesn't mean something can't go wrong. We've all heard of 'Friday cars' or 'lemons'.
If you book in for mechanical repairs on the Sunshine Coast you should expect to be offered a courtesy car or, at the very least, a pick-up and drop-off service. That's just good customer service.
European Specialists
And don't be afraid to ask questions. For example, with a prestige vehicle like a Mercedes or Porsche, you could ask if the mechanics have been fully trained on European cars. If the workshop specialises in hi-tech vehicles it should be equipped with the latest computer diagnostics.
You can expect to pay a little more for such excellence but when it comes to an expensive vehicle, that you rely on to safely get from A to B, it's worth it. It's not too much to expect a smile, either.
Hopefully, these tips will help you choose the best car mechanic in Brisbane or on the Sunshine Coast, so you can enjoy many years of carefree driving.