KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Don't Get Hooked: Auto Repair

Last year Better Business Bureau offices across the country received close to 15,000 complaints against auto repair shops.

The Arkansas BBB says there are a few things you can to do protect yourself when picking a place to fix your ride.

The computers and electronics in most modern vehicles make it more and more unlikely you will find a shade tree mechanic who can save you some money.

Chances are if you hear a knock or crack a block…you're going to have to take it to an auto repair shop.

"People are keeping those cars longer so they're maintaining them longer rather than trading them in and buying newer cars," says Mike Rohrer with the Arkansas Better Business Bureau.

Rohrer has some advice for anybody shopping for an auto mechanic.

First of all, if your car is still under warranty make sure you follow the requirements of that warranty.

Second, ask around. If somebody else had a good experience it increases the chances you will too.

Next, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Finally, get a written estimate for all parts and labor.  

"I don't know any off the top of my head that are bad," says Rohrer when asked to name some of the worst offenders in central Arkansas.  "But we do have a lot of good businesses. You can find those through the BBB's web site…www.bbb.org.  Look for auto repair."

And Rohrer says last year 1.5 million Americans visited a BBB web site and searched auto repair…hoping to find a good mechanic.

Air date:  February 8^th, 2012