Is Your Mechanic Taking Too Long with Car Repairs?
Most smaller auto repairs should take a few hours or up to a day to complete. For example, a brake job that includes replacing your brake pads and rotors should take 45 minutes to an hour. Click here to get a list of the most common repairs and how long they should take.
To prevent your mechanic from taking too long with your car, you should agree ahead of time on a timeframe and make sure that they have a way to contact you. Learn more.
Sometimes, however, unforeseen issues come up that cause your repair to take longer, however, your mechanic should let you know about this as soon as it happens. Learn more.
Learn how to avoid your mechanic taking too long with car
Common Repairs and Approximate Time They Should Take
Brakes (Replacing all brake pads and rotors): 45 minutes - 1 hour
Replace the Oxygen Sensor: 1 - 2 hours
Replace the Catalytic Converter: 1 hour
Changing Spark Plugs: 1 hour
Replace Air Conditioning System: 2 -3 hours depending on how many elements need replacing
Replace Timing Belt: 3 - 8 hours
Replace Clutch: 4 - 8 hours
Replace Battery: 30 minutes
Tire Changes (All 4 Tires): 30-45 minutes
Wheel Alignments: 1 hour
Tire changes usually take 30 - 45 minutes
Is Your Mechanic Taking Too Long with Car Repairs? Here’s how to prevent it
Step 1: Get a Timeframe
Ask your mechanic to give you an estimated time that it will take to do your repair beforehand, especially if it is a major repair that will take more than a day.
Step 2: Get It in Writing
Have your mechanic write down how long the repair will take. Under the Consumer Protection Act, the cost for labour needs to be included in your written estimate including a breakdown of how it is to be calculated, whether it will be a flat or hourly rate or a combination of both.
If it is an hourly rate, then the number of hours that the repair should take should be part of that breakdown.
If they are charging you a flat rate, have them write down how many hours they will take for the repair. If it is written down, they will be more likely to keep to the timeframe.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
Mechanic taking too long with car? Get a timeframe in writing ahead of time
Step 3: Give Multiple Contacts
Make sure that you give your mechanic more than one way to contact you. These could include your home phone number, work phone number, cell phone number, email address, or even your spouse's cell phone number.
That way, there will be less chance that a delay could happen because your mechanic couldn't reach you.
Step 4: Use a Mechanic You Can Trust
Choosing a mechanic that you can trust will go a long way in preventing any extended repair delays. If you don't have a mechanic, do your research ahead of time and don't just choose the closest one or the first one you can find.
Ask people you trust for recommendations about the mechanic they use or go online to check out reviews of local mechanics to see which ones have a good reputation.
Use a mechanic you can trust to do the repairs in the time agreed upon
What Could Make Your Repairs Take Longer
Unforeseen Issues:
During the repair, your mechanic may discover another issue that needs to be addressed and that will take longer than originally anticipated.
A good mechanic will contact you as soon as an issue arises to get your approval for the additional work and to let you know that it will take longer than originally expected.
Special or Vintage Cars:
If you have a special make of car or if it is vintage, then your repairs could take longer. This is because it is often difficult to find the right parts, therefore, they may have to be ordered in.
Image by Wild Pixar from Pixabay and SDVH
Vintage cars can take longer to repair
Personal Problems:
Sometimes a personal problem may come up that will add to your repair time. Your mechanic may become ill or there might be a family emergency that comes up which means that your repair can't be done as quickly as anticipated.
Again, a reputable mechanic will let you know if something like that occurs and they will try to do their best to get another one of their staff to do the repair if the absence is going to be extended.
Why Choose Hansma as Your Automotive Repair Shop?
Looking for an automotive repair shop you can trust? Contact Hansma Automotive. Here are the reasons why:
Honest Customer Service: Our customers have come to appreciate our honest service. Our word-of-mouth referrals continue to be our largest source of new customers.
Competitive Pricing: Whether you are looking for the best tire change Kitchener has to offer or you require one of our other automotive services, our highly trained technicians will be able to diagnose and fix your vehicle at a highly competitive price.
Reliable Repairs: You can rely on the technical expertise of our friendly staff to keep your vehicle in peak condition.
Over 33 Years of Service: We've been serving the Waterloo region with the highest quality automotive services since 1987.
Locally Owned and Operated: You can feel good about supporting a locally owned and operated family business.
True Customer Care: At Hansma, we truly care about our customers. We will do our best to provide you with great customer care and service. When you come to Hansma, you’ll be treated like family.
“These folks are amazing. They are helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and they get your vehicle taken care of fast and correct. And their prices are more than reasonable. I found this place by accident and I tell ya, I won’t go anywhere else anymore. They are my ONLY vehicle place. Highly recommend.”