6 Ways to Tell if Your Mechanic is Trustworthy

1. Ask to look at the problem. Most of the time, there will be a physical manifestation of the problem on your car, although there are a few exceptions.  

2. Have the mechanic explain the problem. Keep in mind that even though it is bad customer service to be condescending to patrons, it does not necessarily mean they are dishonest.  

3. The use of technical jargon is not necessarily the sign of a dishonest mechanic, but watch out because he (or she, in some cases) could be doing that to confuse you.

4. An honest mechanic will prioritize your car's needs. A good mechanic will tell you everything they see wrong with your car, just so you are prepared, but they will also tell you if work can be put off. My husband will look at cars that were diagnosed as needing brakes, but when he takes a closer look, the brakes have a good month or two left on them. When we are struggling financially, a month can make a world of difference.  

5. Watch if he says no to unnecessary work. For example, the lube guys say you have a leak. When you take it to the mechanic, they tell you it was misdiagnosed and the car is fine.
Look for patterns. If you leave every appointment with the impression that your car is going to explode if you don't get every single thing done they tell you to do, there may be reason for suspicion.

6. A mechanic that does quotes over the phone is questionable. No one knows what a car needs unless they see it, so it is likely they are just trying to get you into their shop. Often those initial quotes end up wrong and they raise the price on you when you come to pick up the car.

There is no hard and fast rule to tell if the technician working on your car is being honest, but if you keep all these things in mind, you will start to notice pros and cons to the shop you are trusting your car with. Good luck!