Many shops offer low estimates to win your business. But once they actually have your vehicle in the shop, the price suddenly rises and you have little recourse—at least not when your transmission is lying in pieces on the shop floor.
Of course, you can’t always know in advance which shops are honest and trustworthy, but you can do some homework. Start with friends and family members. Even better, drop into a few local auto parts stores and ask about the reputation of local repair shops. Since the employees of auto parts stores are often automobile aficionados, their opinions can be extremely valuable.
The most reliable transmission shops are the ones willing to stand solidly behind their work. Never shop by price alone. With an expensive transmission repair, the warranty is a much more important consideration than the price. You don’t want to save money at a cut-rate transmission shop only to discover you need to repair the transmission again down the road. It’s better to pay more for a rock-solid warranty and the peace of mind that goes with it.
Consider using shops that have good ratings from the Better Business Bureau, with no unresolved complaints or serious problems with past customers. Ratings services like Diamond Certified can also steer you toward reputable shops with a strong track record of reliable service.
If you look, you can probably find a transmission shop that’s been around since before you were born. Take that as a sign. These shops typically owe their longevity to a hard-won reputation for good work, fair dealings and reasonable prices.
