Researching car repair shops
Finding a credible and affordable car repair shop can be a daunting task if you’re new to the area or on a bit of a budget. One thing we can all agree on is to avoid the dealership at all cost if your vehicle is not covered with either a warranty or an extended warranty. If you’re unsure if your vehicle has an active warranty or extended warranty click the following link protectiondirect.com/how-to-check-car-extended-warranty. It’s important to know if you are taking your vehicle into a service shop, repair shop, or a business that does both.
Below I have outlined a brief list of affordable car repair/service shops that have multiple locations nationwide, as well as prices and services to fit the tightest of budgets. No repair shop is perfect, so I also include a few pros and cons of each place to help you make the best decision about where to take your vehicle for repairs.
List of affordable car repair shops
- Firestone
- Midas
- Meineke
- Pep Boys
1. Firestone
Pros
- Free diagnostics
- Financing available
- Coupons and special offers
- Online Appointment
- Scheduling
- Service warranty options
- Speedy service
- ASE Certified Technicians
- Complimentary Courtesy Checks
- Over 1 million reviews
Cons
- Quality of service and customer service can be different at each location
- Limited Locations (1700)
2. Midas
Pros
- Offers complete auto care
- Financing available
- Online repair estimator
- Guarantee repairs
- Awarded Best Customer Service 2019 by Newsweek
- Online appointment scheduling
- Coupons and offers available online
Cons
- Unclear if technicians are ASE-Certified
- Limited locations offer financing (+1000)
- Potentially high APR up to 29.99%
3. Meineke
Pros
- Financing available with approved credit
- Auto repair discounts
- Rewards points for services
Cons
- Unclear if technicians are ASE-Certified
- Unclear if there is diagnostic fee
4. Pep Boys
Pros
- ASE-Certified Technicians
- Open 7 days a week
- Price Matching (including warranty of parts and service
- Wide range of parts and accessories for DIYers
- Rewards program for services
- Towing offered (Limited to 10 miles) to a pep boys’ location
- Online appointment scheduling
- Online savings and discounts
- Financing Available
Cons
- Limited car repairs
What to do next:
Before you decide to contact any repair shop, try to get an idea of what the repair might possibly cost if you already know or think you know what the problem is. Check out the Auto Repair Cost Calculator to get a general idea of your repair cost.
Unfortunately, warranty companies do not cover pre-existing problems. However, after you get your repair problem resolved I would certainly recommend contacting Service Protection Direct at 1-800-986-3608 to find out how we can protect you from future costly repairs.
Tell us below in the comment section: What do you look for in an affordable car repair service?
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