How to find a good garage and get the best service

According to the latest Which? Car Survey data, when a car goes wrong the average repair cost is £588. 

With most car faults coming out of the blue, you’re going to want a trusted mechanic to do the job once - and do it right.  

In this guide, we take you through some basic steps to set you on your way to finding the right garage for you and your car. 

Fed up with getting your car fixed? It may be time to replace it with a more reliable model, so take a look at our expert pick of all the best cars

1. How to find a good garage near you

We recommend checking Which? Trusted Trader mechanics and garages to see if there’s a local firm that’s part of the scheme. All the garages shown on Which? Trusted Traderx have been subject to a credit and customer reference check, an examination of their business procedures and a visit from an assessor, to ensure it’s a reputable business. 

You can use our Trusted Traders search tool below to quickly find a reliable mechanic or garage near you, and you can also check the Motor Ombudsman.

2. Get a quote and check prices in advance

You can now get an idea of how much a service or repair is likely to cost before a mechanic even looks at your car.

As long as you know roughly what you need the garage to do – such as a ‘major’ or ‘minor’ service, or to fix something specific – websites such as WhoCanFixMyCar (you’ll have to enter your email and phone number to get quotes) and ClickMechanic enable you to book online to have the work done. Although we haven’t tested or rated any of these services, they can give you a good idea of how much you can expect to spend.

You’ll nearly always find that labour rates at local independent garages are significantly lower than at a franchised dealer. However, you may be able to take advantage of a fixed-price servicing deal at a main dealer that can give you peace of mind over how much you’re going to pay.

Even if your car is still covered by its manufacturer's warranty, you’re not always obliged to service it at a franchised ‘main’ dealer. Often, the only conditions that need to be met in order to maintain the warranty are for the car to be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule, and that any parts used (such as oil or air filters) are manufacturer-approved (not manufacturer-supplied). There are some extended warranties (such as Toyota/Lexus Relax) that require you to use a main dealer, however, so it’s best to check the exact terms of your warranty before booking in. 

3. What to do at the garage

Before the mechanic gets started on your service or repair, ask for a fixed quote (in cases where the repair or service is known) and make sure it includes parts, labour and VAT. Check that the garage will use approved parts, so you don’t invalidate any remaining warranty on your car. If you need one, check what the cost of a courtesy car will be, but be wary of steep insurance excesses on such vehicles and make sure you fully understand the terms of any policies associated with it.

When you collect the car, ask for a clearly marked receipt or invoice that details the work done and parts used, and get a stamp in the service book. These will be useful to prove you’ve looked after the car when you come to sell it.

Also, consider asking the mechanic to show you the work they’ve done, especially if it was a repair. Let them know beforehand you’d like the time after the work has been done. If they’ve done the job properly, they’ll usually be only too pleased to show you, and it’s a useful opportunity to learn about any issues you might need to have looked at again in the future. If you don’t feel confident enough to do this, try to take someone with you who is mechanically minded.

Of course, some garages may have health and safety policies that prevent customers from entering the workshop, so if this isn’t possible, ask for photos and even a glimpse of the parts that were replaced. 

You can spend less time in a garage if your car is reliable. We survey thousands of owners so we can reveal the most reliable cars

4. Stay on top of servicing

Prevention is better than cure, so stick to your car’s service schedule. This is normally outlined in the handbook (manual), along with any basic servicing tasks that you may be able to perform yourself. Some cars don't require servicing annually, but are 'condition' based, with the on-board computer warning the driver that maintenance is required, based on their mileage and driving. Others will have a set mileage or year interval that you’ll need to meet (usually on a ‘whichever comes first’ basis).

Looking to remove a shallow scratch from your car? Read our guide on the best car scratch removers

5. Be wary of aftermarket warranties

All new cars come with a manufacturer's warranty. These usually last three years, but some brands offer five or seven-year warranties. Once it runs out, it’s usually possible to extend it with the manufacturer (although often on the condition that a main dealer services the car), or you may be tempted to buy one from a third party. 

While third-party warranties are a good option for some people, read the terms and conditions very carefully to ensure it meets your needs, as they can vary a lot between providers and some may have exclusions you’re not prepared to risk.