Go to a licensed mechanic

When you are in your car, you don’t want to have it malfunction. Unfortunately, it will probably happen to you at some point. It could be anything from a flat tire to a serious engine problem. Let’s face it, car repairs can be expensive. It can be tempting to have a friend fix it for you. They may charge you a meal or for a fraction of the price.  

Depending on the repair, you might be better off taking your car to a dealership. If you need something simple like an oil change, then go ahead and do it yourself if you know how to do it. I have heard horror stories of people trusting their used cars to a friend of a friend and ended up with more damage. You wouldn’t let your friend or their friend operate on you, so why would you let them operate on your car? You might be thinking, it’s just a car, it’s not a living thing. While that is true, you and your family ride in your car. It’s important to leave it up to a professional who knows what they are doing. 

Don’t look for mechanics on Craigslist or Facebook. It doesn’t matter how many references they have or how much less it would cost. You have no idea who they are let alone if they know what they are doing. Remember that the cheap comes out expensive. If you use someone who isn’t qualified, you will likely pay more in the long run. It could end up voiding your warranty by having someone who isn’t licensed work on your car. Warranties are important to have. It’s not worth the risk. 

Dealerships hire qualified and certified mechanics who know the car you drive. I don’t believe that all cars are the same inside. Each manufacturer builds their cars a specific way. It’s best to go to the service department of a local dealership. They also order lots of parts and probably have a relationship with a supplier. Parts might end up being cheaper. You also don’t have to hunt online for parts and wonder about the condition of the part you are ordering.