How to find and hire a good mechanic or garage

Do you find yourself constantly searching on Google ‘how to find a good garage’ or ‘how to find a good mechanic’? It can be tricky to find a reliable mechanic who you know will do a good job and won’t overcharge you.

We’ve put together a guide on how to find a good mechanic in your area, so listen up.

How to find a good mechanic in your area

If you’re ready to start your search, here are some steps you can take to find an honest mechanic in your area.

1. Ask your neighbours, friends and family

A great way to find honest mechanics in your area is to ask your friends, family and neighbours for recommendations.

This way, you’ll have a first-hand account of a mechanic’s level of service and professionalism from someone you trust.

For any recommendations you get, always make sure to check whether they’re on Checkatrade. If they are, you then know they have been checked and vetted by us too.

2. Ask other tradespeople for recommendations

Reliable tradespeople like to work with other reliable tradespeople.

So, if you’ve previously worked with a tradesperson such as a builder or removal company who you trust, ask them to recommend a good mechanic in your area.

Chances are they’ll be more than happy to recommend mechanics for the job.

3. Find out what their customers think

Always read reviews about mechanics you’re considering to find out what their customers think about them. That way, you can make sure you’re choosing someone that others rate.

Better still, ask for references from previous customers – and follow up with them.

Get in touch to ask how the job went, whether they were happy with everything, and whether they would work with that mechanic again.

4. Search online directories like Checkatrade

A really fast way to find a good mechanic or garage near you is to search online directories like Checkatrade.

At Checkatrade, all our members have to pass up to 12 checks. So, you know they’re the real deal.

You can head over to their profile to see photos of their recent work, learn more about them and read the latest reviews from people in your area.

Best of all, not only are our members checked, but our reviews are too. So, you know you can trust the reviews you see.

We’ve got two simple ways to find honest mechanics near you.

Option 1: Request a quote

When you need a professional tradesperson pronto, use our ‘request a quote’ form.

Just fill in a few basic details and approved mechanics near you will contact you shortly.

Option 2: Browse our online trade directory

Got a few minutes to browse? Insert your postcode into the box below. Then, search our directory of local mechanics.

This is an easy answer to how to find an honest and reliable mechanic in your local area

How can I check if a mechanic is qualified?

Anyone could technically call themselves a mechanic. So, it’s important to make sure the mechanic you choose is fully qualified and has the skills needed to fix your vehicle to a high standard.

The easiest way to make sure a mechanic is qualified is through the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). They have a Professional Register where they list qualified mechanics.

If your mechanic is listed on it, that means you can be confident they’re qualified and experienced.

There are also several different accreditations that garages can get to prove their quality and reliability. Just a couple include the Good Garage Scheme and the RAC Approved Garage Network.

Don’t forget that Checkatrade members have to pass up to 12 checks to be listed on our directory. So, when you contact a mechanic on Checkatrade, you can be confident they have the right skills and experience for the job.

How do I know if my garage is trustworthy?

As we’ve already touched upon, checking that your mechanic is qualified and making sure they’re well-reviewed will help you to feel confident that they’re trustworthy. But it’s also important to trust your instincts.

Here are some questions you can ask to get a good feel for whether you trust a garage.

• Do you specialise in vehicles like mine?
• How soon can you take a look at my vehicle?
• Do you offer free quotations?
• If there are unexpected expenses, will you let me know before carrying out the work?
• Do you provide a warranty?
• How long have you been a mechanic? Or, how long have you been in business?

How much does a mechanic or garage charge?

On average, a garage mechanic will charge around £60 per hour. Meanwhile, a mobile mechanic will typically charge a bit less – around £45 per hour. 

We’d always recommend getting several quotes from different garages or mechanics. That way, you can get a feel for a range of experts and make sure you’re being charged a fair and competitive price for the work.

Head over to our guide on mechanic hourly rates for more details.

Ready to find a reliable mechanic?

Once you’re ready to go ahead, try our online search feature. Just type in your postcode and you’re one click away from a range of different experts.

To erase that ‘fingers crossed’ feeling that comes with hiring someone new, our members all pass up to 12 thorough background checks. We also verify customer reviews to make sure they’re legit.

We’re so confident in our members that we offer a guarantee* of up to £1,000 if there are any issues (T&Cs apply*).