Mechanics in South Auckland page 5 of 5

How to choose a mechanic in Auckland

No. New Zealand has no licence for general mechanics, so the useful signals are trade qualifications such as the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering, membership of the Motor Trade Association (MTA), which runs a disputes process for its members' customers, and whether the workshop is appointed by NZTA to do WOFs. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, repairs must be done with reasonable care and skill, and parts must be fit for purpose. Check the MTA register.

1. Ask whether the price is for a basic, full or logbook service, and get the list of what it includes. "Service" can mean an oil change or a full manufacturer schedule.
2. Ask the hourly labour rate and whether parts are genuine, equivalent quality or budget aftermarket.
3. Agree that they will phone you before doing any work beyond the quote, and get the new price before saying yes.
4. If the car is under a new-car warranty, read its servicing conditions before using an independent garage, and keep every invoice as service history.
5. Check whether the workshop is an MTA member, which gives you MTA's disputes process if something goes wrong.

Get at least two written quotes for the same job, and read recent Google reviews rather than relying on the star rating alone. A listing here is not a recommendation: “Listed” businesses have not yet been checked by LocalsBest.

Our full guide to choosing a mechanic.