How to Communicate with Your Car Mechanic | Midas

If your car is more of a tool than a lifestyle to you, you probably don’t have much of an idea about what’s wrong with it when it breaks down. That’s fine – there’s a reason why there are trained mechanics who can assist you, but talking to your car mechanic can be a daunting experience if you’re not car-savvy. How do you describe what the problem is and what you want them to do? There’s also the slight chance of accidentally saying the wrong thing.

Do you want to learn how to talk to your mechanic like a pro? This guide will give you pointers on what to say so you can get what you need, deal properly with the money side of things, and maintain a good relationship with your mechanic. Let’s get this show on the road!

Please remember, we are trained professionals and we have your best interest at heart.

First and foremost, a mechanic is a trained professional who has gone through years of education and has a wealth of experience, so give them the respect you’d give to any other professional. A lot of this is common sense: don’t demean their profession or say how simple the fix was - if it was easy, you would have done it yourself, don’t tell them their price seems expensive for what they did, and don’t try to self-diagnose issues after a Google search either. There are better ways to navigate these issues and avoid violating the basic professional respect you should have for them.

The more information you tell us, the easier and quicker we can solve your problem.

During a vehicle service, your mechanic needs specific information to diagnose the issue and sort it out quickly. As stated above, don’t tell them what you think the problem is if it’s based on something Google or your mate said. Instead, collate as much information about the symptoms of the problem as you can and leave the diagnosis to them.

If there’s an odd noise, tell them what kind - metal-on-metal, a whirring, a clicking, and so on - and how often and under what conditions it occurs. Does it happen when it’s hot? Cold? Raining? Going downhill? You should also take note of where in the car the sound is coming from. Smoking, steaming or strange smells are also things you should tell them about.

If you like, you can offer to take the mechanic for a drive so they can observe the problem themselves.

Let us know what your concerns are. If you have questions, just ask.

When getting a vehicle check, you should be clear about whether you want a general service or for them to look at one particular issue. That being said, you should be open and receptive to their suggestions about other problems that may arise. Keep open lines of communication to keep up-to-date on the process. That includes asking questions or asking to be shown when you don’t understand something.

You should also have reasonable expectations. Mechanics are busy, and you won’t always get the car back on the same day. This is particularly true if they need to order parts, since then it’s in the hands of their suppliers. Don’t offer to supply your own parts to speed up the process or make things cheaper for you - if the mechanic installs these and they go wrong, they’re liable, so they won’t often be receptive. Let them do their job their way.

Let’s talk price.

Mechanics build all their business overheads into their prices, and a lot goes into running a quality operation, so don’t get caught up in whether you think someone else could have done it cheaper. You’re dealing with a machine which you trust your health and safety with on a daily basis, so the price reflects that. However, it’s still a good idea to ask for an itemised list of everything that you’re paying for, so you are better informed.

Most importantly, it’s OK to question the cost and ask for a breakdown but stay polite. Your mechanic isn’t trying to rip you off, so be professional.

The best way to talk with your mechanic is to have a good mechanic.

No matter what you say, the best way to have a good professional relationship with your mechanic is to take your car to a trustworthy mechanic who’ll smooth the whole process along. At Midas, our brand is based on providing an exemplary quality of technical and customer service, and that’s how we’ve been able to grow our business nationwide and keep it going for decades. Wherever you are in the country, we’re ready to begin a great relationship with you and your vehicle - the first step is to book in for a service.