It’s an inevitable part of car ownership— the longer you own a car, the more likely you are to need repairs or potentially get in an accident. Even if you safely park your vehicle in a covered garage, perform routine oil changes, and treat your car with maybe a tad too much loving admiration (don’t worry — we won’t judge!), your vehicle will start to show signs of its age. And even when we keep our cars in great shape, there’s always the risk of getting in an accident and incurring damage that way. Fortunately, help is almost always just around the corner. But do you know where to take your car for repairs? Did you know there's a difference between an auto body shop vs. an auto repair shop? Let's break down what each is, when you need them, and how to find ones you can trust.
What's the difference between an auto body shop and a garage?
Generally speaking, there are four different places you can take your car when it needs repairs — each of which serves a different purpose.
Auto repair shop
Also commonly referred to as a "garage". This is where you want to take your car for repairs on standard wear-and-tear issues — things like replacing your break pads, engine troubles, and your annual safety inspection (if your state requires one). If you need a "mechanic", this is where you're going. While most towns may have a dealer or two for specific car brands, there are generally dozens, if not hundreds, of independent auto repair shops in any given area. The most reliable independent garages can rival the service and expertise provided by dealerships — and often, at a fraction of the price. However, there are less-than-reliable independent shops as well. That’s why it’s important to do your research.
Source Material:
how to choose an auto repair shop
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