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Finding a Qualified Mechanic

The key to a competent technician is right in front of you

Finding a good family doctor to care for you and your loved ones is among the most difficult and frustrating tasks one can undertake. The same goes for finding a quality mechanic to keep your favorite or only set of wheels in top operating condition. For many, finding an experienced technician is a shot in the dark, with convenience of location winning out over quality of service. Fortunately for motorists, there is a quick and easy way to gauge the caliber of the person working on your car. The answer lies in the little blue patch worn on the shoulder of qualified mechanics across the country.

In 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence established a certification program to improve the level of proficiency among automobile service professionals. To earn an ASE certification, technicians must pass a challenging written test as well as provide evidence of two years of relevant work experience in the same area of specialty. Technicians need to pass only one test to be considered "ASE Certified" and allowed to wear the blue ASE certification patch while at work. Certification in all areas is valid for five years before a re-test is required. After 30-plus years of operation, ASE has become the gold standard for measuring technical competency of mechanics, with more than 420,000 technicians currently holding certifications.

Specializing in Service

Today the institute offers more than 40 certification programs developed by top industry experts in every area of auto repair, compared to just 10 in 1972. With subjects ranging from compressed natural gas engines to school bus-specific air conditioning, tests are grouped into areas of specialty, just like today's technicians. Areas of study include automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus and collision repair technicians, as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, auto service consultants and collision damage estimators. Participants who pass a battery of exams and complete the relevant work experience requirements earn the title ASE Master Technician.

Beyond certifying individual people, the program also recognizes businesses committed to hiring certified repairmen. Shops that employ at least 75 percent ASE certified technicians and at least one certified technician in each area of service offered are allowed to post the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition for its customers.

Certified Mechanic Search Tips

Although an ASE certification should be on the top of your list when seeking out a qualified mechanic, there are several additional points to consider.

> Start your search for a new mechanic before the need arises. Finding the right person for the job is much harder when your car is on the blink.

> Ask for a referral. Your friends and colleagues drive cars too and seeing a technician that has been vetted by someone you know is far better than going on instinct alone.

> Ask if they have a shuttle service. Many repair shops offer rides home for their customers, as long as you live in the area. If you choose a facility farther away from home, be prepared to find alternate transportation.

> The appearance of a facility is usually, but not always, a reflection of their work. It's not difficult to spot the difference between a shop that is well stocked and maintained and one that is likely to lose your car keys in a vat of motor oil.

> Check out the parking lot. Shops that do good work get return business. Looking for cars similar to your own is good too. Squeezing your Honda between two shiny, new Bentleys is a good sign you're in the wrong place. The same can be said about parking your Honda between two rusted out '84 Yugos.

> Take the temperature of the staff. Are they hot to help you, or cold and distant. Service advisers are your main point of contact and your link to the technician. Make sure they're able and willing to answer all of your questions.

> The writing is on the wall—at least it should be. Look for signs that detail labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees, acceptable methods of payment, and so on. This will prevent any confusion later.

> Make sure you've got the right tool (or tech) for the job. Technicians often specialize in one area or another. Taking your car to a technician who spends all day replacing brakes is not the best option when the problem is your transmission. Feel free to ask what ASE certifications are held by the shop technicians, especially if you're looking for anything beyond a simple oil change and tire rotation. Additional trade school diplomas or similar credentials can also be helpful in making your final decision.

By keeping these helpful tips in mind, you should be able to relieve some of the aches and pains of finding a first-rate mechanic to cure your automobile's woes.