Most of us drive automobiles, and every one of them is going to break down eventually. For those of us lucky enough to drive new cars with warranties and service plans, this isn't such a big deal. The rest of us, however, will need to choose a mechanic to keep our cars maintained or get them back on the road. If your car is still doing fine and you just need routine maintenance, you're in the wonderful position of being able to take your time and research your options. If your car just broke down and you need to be back on the road ASAP, your choices aren't quite so simple.
Your car is running just fine so you don't even give it a second thought, right? Wrong! Routine maintenance not only deals with the things which wear out regularly, it also means the rest of your car gets looked over for potential problems. When you're researching a mechanic, remember to keep maintenance in mind so you're not scrambling later.
While you can do Internet research or ask friends and associates for word-of-mouth reports, firsthand experience is your best judge as to the competence and honesty of a repair shop. Try visiting a different mechanic each time you get an oil change or tire service until you find the right one for you. If the mechanic suggests additional repairs besides the standard maintenance, get a second opinion (if it's a big job), or at least ask to keep the old parts and have another mechanic look them over for you later. And keep a log of all repairs, noting where they were done and how much they cost.
Your car just left you stranded and you need it back up and running right away. If you've been doing your maintenance and research, you already have a regular mechanic. If not, now is the time to call your friends and get a recommendation, or ask the tow truck driver for one and hope for the best!