How to choose the right mechanic
Ask family and friends
If you have family and friends living in your area ask them to recommend a mechanic. There is often nothing more reliable than a good recommendation, as family and friends always have your best interests at heart and will not send you somewhere unless they trust it themselves.Look out for RACQ approval
If your family and friends can’t help you out, then the RACQ can. RACQ maintains a list of RACQ approved repairers. This can help you find both a good all round mechanic in your area and the best mechanic for a specific job.Small repair tests
If you’re feeling wary of a mechanic, take it slow. Have them do small things first such as a minor service to test their capability. If you’re happy with the work they do on smaller jobs you can then begin trusting them with bigger repairs or major service work.Compare prices
To trust a mechanic you should be able to assume they are giving you good value for money. Get multiple quotes from mechanics in the area and cross reference them to ensure you aren’t being taken to the cleaners.Check online reviews
As many mechanics are small businesses, not all of them have websites. But try to research them online and look at customer reviews. If most of the feedback is positive they’re likely a trustworthy business.Repair translation
Car repairs can be complex and hard to understand, but a sign of a good mechanic is the ability to relay what is being done in easy to understand terms. If a mechanic can’t articulate the work they are undertaking properly, you are much more likely to be over charged. If you don’t understand any jargon, ask them to explain it in layman’s terms so you do know what’s being done and why.Car dealerships
Car dealerships make their money on the aftermarket warranty servicing, not on the sale price of a new vehicle. The dealer pricing is usually at the higher end of the scale but is worth using as a comparison.
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The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.