Best Auto Repair in Plano, TX

If you have made the wise decision to buy one of our used cars, used SUVs, or used trucks then you have likely been wondering about what may be available for the best auto repair in Plano. Regular car maintenance is the key to safe vehicle ownership and the foundation of safe driving for you, your passengers, and for others on the road. A professionally trained car mechanic is an important part of this plan. Even if you feel a sense of independence and a DIY spirit, there is no doubt that some maintenance and repairs are better left to a dedicated car repair specialist. Sometimes it is simply nice to be able to spend your time doing other things like hanging out at one of the best sports bars in Plano. Regardless, there are a few quality options for keeping your car in top condition.

Types of Routine Maintenance

Before knowing where to go, it is vital that you understand the types of routine car maintenance that needs to be regularly performed. This includes each of the various components of your car as well as the service intervals for each of them.

Many mechanics continue to recommend the 30-60-90 maintenance interval, which means scheduled maintenance at 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and 90,000 miles. Depending on the make and model of your car, there will be specific parts that need to be inspected or replaced at these intervals.

Previous recommendations for an oil change used to be every 3000 miles, but newer car models since 2010 use improved synthetic oil that can go up to 10,000 miles before requiring service. Check with your vehicle owner’s manual for specific guidance.

Cars don’t like to sit idle. Tire pressure can decrease or tires can become warped, which would require an expensive replacement. The battery can die, gas tanks can accumulate moisture leading to fuel system issues, brake pads can become brittle and wear out quicker, belts and hoses can dry out and crack, and rust can begin to form. Be sure to drive your car once a week.

For comprehensive coverage of this and more, refer to our Ultimate Car Maintenance Guide.

How to Find a Great Car Mechanic

When regular service is required or when breakdowns occur, you are left with two options. You can do the repairs yourself or you can have someone else do them for you. If you decide to have someone else complete these repairs or maintenance for you then you are again left with two choices. Have the service completed at a dealership or at an independent local mechanic. There are pros and cons to each of these options.

Routine maintenance tasks are typically basic tasks that can be performed by anyone as there isn’t anything too difficult about changing oil or filters. This precludes a need to identify a specialist or to worry too much about where you should have your car maintenance performed. That said, it is a good idea to take your vehicle for service at the same shop as much as possible so that they can become familiar with it and with you.

A car dealership dedicated to the make of your car is often the safest route for ensuring that the service and repairs are done well, but they are also more expensive. A dealership is also preferred if your vehicle remains under warranty because some of the costs of parts and labor may be covered by the warranty. Car dealerships have the best diagnostic equipment, offer a factory trained technician who will know your make and model well as they usually only work on a limited number of makes and models, and they attract and retain the best mechanics in the industry due to their higher wages and benefits and better working conditions. Additionally, many dealerships offer loan cars while yours is in the shop and they can offer better access to OEM parts. Of course, all of this adds to their overhead which ultimately adds to your cost.

Independent repair shops, on the other hand, have less overhead making them more affordable than dealerships. They often use aftermarket parts that are less expensive, but beware that some of these are of inferior quality. However, these shops can still acquire OEM parts if you ask them. Ask if they have the OEM parts you require in stock when you arrive or if they will need to be ordered.

More complicated repairs require more experienced and better trained mechanics. Ask for ASE certified mechanics and ensure that wherever you go the mechanic references the manufacturer’s technical service bulletins, or TSBs. These have now been made available to the public on the NHTSA website so you can research specific issues before your visit to the shop. Sometimes a manufacturer will perform TSB repairs for free at a branded dealership. Some larger car maintenance chains will have their own training certifications for their technicians that may or may not be as rigorous as the ASE so verify the training they have available and whether or not your mechanic is certified. The AOCA is another car industry organization that is dedicated to ensuring that service technicians are oil change certified.

Look for a shop that specializes in your specific make if not model. Some shops will also specialize in specific types of service or repair. There are shops dedicated to specific makes, oil changes, tires, or even body work, for example. Some shops will offer warranties, but be careful to read the fine print. Verify that the warranty is honored nationally and that the shop will keep its own records of the parts replaced and service completed on your car. Also be sure that the terms and conditions are clear on any work performed. Check to see if they offer a completion time guarantee so that it is clear when the work will be finished.

Verify their working hours so that there are no misunderstandings. Are they open early, late, or on weekends? When are appointments required? Do they have a preferred towing service in case your car needs towing after hours? It is important to know this in advance of any emergencies.

Do they have insurance while the car is in their possession? Do they routinely test drive a car to ensure that their repairs are complete and successful? What will you do and how will you get around while your car is being serviced? Is a courtesy car offered? Where is the shop located? If it is near your home or office or a favorite hangout like The Boardwalk at Granite Park or The Shops at Legacy Hall then you will have something to do while your car is in the shop.

Ask if they offer estimates, if the estimate includes parts, labor, tax, etc because sometimes there can be hidden fees, and whether they will ask for authorization in advance if the bill ends up being higher than originally agreed. Written estimates are an indicator of trust allowing for comparison shopping. If the shop will provide you with a written estimate of the work to be completed then you can shop the quote around to multiple shops in the area before making a decision. Check online reviews to get a broad sense of their reputation. Utilize apps like Repair Pal, Fuelly, AutoMD, and CARFAX that can help you to shop rates for the specific service you require for your vehicle.