702 Reviews
When it comes to automotive care, most auto shops do the bare minimum for the maximum amount of money they can charge. Unfortunately, even the specialty dealerships that drivers tend to trust work the same way. Finding the right car service center takes time and effort—especially if your car needs specialized services, such as luxury European vehicles like Mercedes and BMW. However, there are occasionally those diamond-in-the-rough shops that stand out from the sea of dishonest businesses. Although, in order to find one, you’ll need to know what to look for. Here are some of the basic characteristics of a reputable car service center so that you can begin, and hopefully end, your search without much trouble.
CLIENT REVIEWS
Automotive care can be one of the most time-consuming, costly, and frustrating endeavors for the average driver and car owner, which is why it’s important to find an automotive shop that can make the process bearable, if not pleasant. Customer reviews are one of the best ways to gauge a businesses’ success and performance. Reading the experiences of former and current clients of any business can give you a relatively honest overall picture of how a shop represents themselves. Look for a shop that has at least 4 out of 5 stars, and you’ll likely be more pleased with the outcome.
CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
Another way to determine if a shop is right for you or not is to look at their certifications and training background. Shops must uphold a certain level of standards that are set forth by various associations or unions. Especially if your car needs exceptional care, as most luxury vehicles do, you should look for shops who employ technicians that are specially trained with an extensive background in the type of vehicle you drive. The more standards a shop must adhere to in order to achieve and maintain their certifications, the better.
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
As previously mentioned, many shops get by with just the bare minimum of effort at maximum cost—unfortunately this translates into the equipment they use, including diagnostic technology. When working with the high-tech vehicles on today’s market, it’s critical that the shop you choose has adequate materials to work with, especially when it comes to diagnostic measures. Accurately assessing a vehicle’s issue is half the battle, and if the equipment and technology aren’t up to the highest standards, you might end up spending more money due to faulty diagnoses.
COMPETITIVE PRICING
Of course, just because a shop charges more than the nearby shops that doesn’t mean that they are more capable, more knowledgeable, or more reputable than others. Reputable shops should stay competitive with their pricing, meaning they should properly and honestly gauge their costs based on the local cost of procedures, parts, and labor. With that being said, you shouldn’t automatically go for the lowest price either. If you find a trustworthy shop, they should be affordable enough for the masses.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE CARE
This is one of the most important qualities of any successful, reputable automotive business. Shops that have been around longer generally still exist because they’re doing something right. However, there are plenty of shops that have been in business for a long time because they cut corners and charge up the wazoo. More experience is usually better, but taking into consideration all the other factors and qualities that make an automotive shop a good one. Weigh your options with all of the above qualifications, and you’ll come out with a lifelong automotive business you can trust on your side.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR BUSINESS
Here at Autobahn Automotive, we have been proudly serving clients in the areas of San Antonio, and Longhorn, Texas, for over 40 years. Our specialized experience and knowledge in automotive care for hybrids and European-engineered vehicles like BMW, Porsche, MINI, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Volvo, and Volkswagen provides us with a wide client base but a narrow focus that has allowed us to perfect our techniques and skill. Our shop is ASE and Bosch certified, as well as BBB accredited, and we work hard to uphold the high standards of care associated with such agencies. Our affordable pricing, especially in comparison to nearby dealerships keeps our clients happy and loyal, and our high-tech equipment meets the most current standards of performance and capability. Our clients highly recommend us online, and we hope that you will give us a chance to prove ourselves to you too. Contact us today for a consultation, inspection, or simply to meet some of our professionals.