How to find a good mechanic?

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iDear

60 posts

Master Geek

#196275 25-May-2016 13:35

Hi.

I recently moved to Northshore and need to find a good local mechanic to do service and WOF. How to find a good, honest mechanic who won't rip you off (as i dont know much about car)?

I currently checking out Google review and localist. Any other way?

Thanks

venomio

178 posts

Master Geek

#1559391 25-May-2016 14:37

I can't vouch for any of their other centres, but these guys at East Tamaki at least does a superb job.

Some of the mechanics have worked there for 20+ years (at least the one I go to), gives great service, and doesn't mess you around. The car servicing they provide is also very good.

I've recently had my WOF fail from Honda NZ, and they quoted me a lot of $$$s to repair. Consequently took the car to Auto Super Shoppes and they told me how rubbish the quotes were, and fixed it all up for almost no cost (no parts were required). I've used them for servicing work before as well, and can only say good things. They might not be the absolute cheapest, but I've found them to never overcharge me, still gave me good deals, and the service/worksmakship I got was worth every cent.

http://www.autosupershoppes.co.nz/locate/

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Lifetime subscriber

#1559404 25-May-2016 15:16

venomio:

I've recently had my WOF fail from Honda NZ, and they quoted me a lot of $$$s to repair.

My mother got told by Honda that her Preludes radiator fan was dead and needed replacing for $1000 and if she kept using it, the car would overheat and die..... few days later I visited and... well, lets just say the car was well tested by the time I left and the radiator fan was fine, temps were completely normal even with the "testing" I gave it ;)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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CamH

564 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1559427 25-May-2016 15:58

Terry Grubener Motors in Enterprise Street, Birkenhead. Apart from our 4 work cars, all the cars of my family and friends go through there and they're always straightforward and have never overcharged us once. Took changing mechanic 3 times to find these guys and have been so pleased with the service ever since.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1559925 26-May-2016 11:06

xpd:

venomio:

I've recently had my WOF fail from Honda NZ, and they quoted me a lot of $$$s to repair.

My mother got told by Honda that her Preludes radiator fan was dead and needed replacing for $1000 and if she kept using it, the car would overheat and die..... few days later I visited and... well, lets just say the car was well tested by the time I left and the radiator fan was fine, temps were completely normal even with the "testing" I gave it ;)

I would have hoped that this kind of thing was rare, but witnessed very similar.

I was with a mate when he dropped in to a franchise dealership (not Honda) to find out about a repair to loose bushes in a steering rack - the vehicle was just out of warranty, and had failed a WOF because of this. Franchise workshop said they'd check it then and there, got it up on the hoist, confirmed there was excessive free-play and came to him with the message that the bushes were stuffed, non-replaceable, price was $3500 for a new rack, but out of the kindness in their hearts because it wasn't an old vehicle and had been serviced by them in the past, they'd replace it without charging labour cost - "we can do this on Friday - shall we book it in sir?".

Hmmm - I didn't think this was good to accept on the spot, and had dealings with a steering shop technician - who seemed to be a very clued up kind of chap - I suggested we drop in to see him, which we did 10 minutes later. He hadn't worked on that model before, took a quick look and said that it appeared the bushes were stuffed, but that at worst he'd be able to replace them easily - hardest part being removal re-fitting the rack as there was a lot of crap in the way (true - not very easy to get at the rack), estimate, a few hundred $$ / 3 hour job. This was a specialist engineering shop, not a part-swapping outfit - if OEM bushes weren't available or weren't supposed to be replaceable as claimed by the dealership, he'd have made the bushes and done it anyway.

Then the mechanic who'd failed the WOF calls with news. He'd thought that it was pretty crappy that the bushes had failed at low mileage/age, and did some digging around - probably using Mr Google. He'd found out that the problem had been reported overseas - and an easy fix may be possible as in fact the bushes probably weren't worn at all - but could be adjusted using a special service tool - which he didn't have. Nothing needed to be removed or replaced if the bushes were not worn.

If the owner was happy (ecstatic as it turned out), he'd have a go at making the service tool himself (I'm not sure exactly what it was - but something like a torx bit welded to a rod or something) and charge an hour's labour for the attempt. He actually only charged $40 for this, happy to not charge for his time to make the tool as it was something which he's happy to have in his tool kit for expected future use.

$3500 unneeded expense saved. Most people would never known that they'd been fleeced due to (at best) the incompetence of the franchise workshop.

How often does it happen? I don't know - but I know it happens. This was about 5 years ago, my friend owned the vehicle until recently, there were no further problems with the steering rack.

I had a related but similar issue with parts department of the same franchise. I needed rubber bushes for a panhard rod, aftermarket parts were available, but I wanted OEM (vulcanised rubber OEM vs urethane aftermarket which are readily available). I had the part numbers written down at home, yet had the parts "expert" at the dealership tell me that they didn't exist, and that the only way to repair was to replace the entire rod at $x00.00. It wasn't just that he was wrong - it was the way he insisted that I was wrong - that I was effectively lying or a PITA idiot wasting his time. No choice but to go home, get the part numbers go back and give them to him. OMG they exist, and they've even got them in stock in NZ. No apology, acknowledgement he had it wrong - nothing. They do not care.

iDear

60 posts

Master Geek

#1559950 26-May-2016 11:16

Damn, just saw this on youtube

Is my mechanic ripping me off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsEeI3zX5Xk

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1559987 26-May-2016 12:08

iDear:

Damn, just saw this on youtube

Is my mechanic ripping me off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsEeI3zX5Xk

Yes - good link.

I'm particularly sceptical of some brake/shock specialists and what I've seen as a tendency to over-service and sell hard to women in particular by over-stating safety concerns. That said, not servicing brakes correctly isn't a great move, but any serious safety issues would be picked up by a standard properly conducted WOF check. If one of those "specialists" suggest extensive and expensive work, always get a second opinion from a trusted mechanic.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1559995 26-May-2016 12:23

I have had good experiences with Micheal Parr Automotive on Target Road.

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radicall

94 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Radicall

#1559999 26-May-2016 12:31

Get mine done at Autoland North Shore, go and see Nick Young tell him radicall sent you. Good honest & professional!

17 Parkway Drive

Mairangi Bay

$30 dollar WOF's

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jpoc

1043 posts

Uber Geek

#1561149 28-May-2016 11:53

I found apex automotive on Porana Road though the website nocowboys.

They had lots of good reviews so I went along there and have not been elsewhere since.

I have placed good reviews for them and I am very impressed.