Over half of British drivers feel ‘nervous’ about visiting garages when a service or maintenance is due, according to a survey…
‘Not The Nicest Of Places To Visit’
58% of British drivers consider visiting a garage a ‘daunting’ prospect. A further 54% would rather wait until an issue with their car is truly pressing before consulting a mechanic. That’s according to research conducted by the online repair website Clickmechanic. It serves to highlight the rift, and distrust, that exists between many motorists, garages and mechanics.
Speaking for the website, Nigel Bennett suggested that much of the anxiety stemmed from a lack of knowledge concerning cars. He said, “let’s face it. At the end of the day, garages, in general, are not the nicest of places to visit”. He added, “the environment can be quite intimidating if you don’t know a great deal about cars, so it’s no surprise that people feel daunted by the noises, smells, array of machinery and the people covered in oil. To cross the threshold of this cathedral of cacophony and try to explain what the problem is with your car puts the fear of God into a lot of people, making the anxiety of trying not to look like a fool an even more daunting prospect”.
Dealing With Nerves
As Bennett pointed out, most drivers are nervous because they don’t feel confident when it comes to understanding motoring jargon and technicalities. This opens them up to exploitation and confusion. But a few simple steps can help to remedy these anxieties. First of all, drivers should shop around to find a professional, well-reviewed and properly regulated garage. There are a host of online comparison sites that can help with this; a cursory search online will also show feedback from previous customers. Conducting research will give you the confidence that the garage you’re visiting is going to treat you, and your car, with care and respect. Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most of us aren’t medical experts and feel perfectly comfortable visiting a GP. The key is to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask a mechanic how long repairs or servicing will take or what it’ll consist of.
Most mechanics are professionals and take pride in their work. As is often the case, a few bad apples give the rest a bad name. Shop around, conduct your research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t get proper answers, or you’re not satisfied with them, you’re perfectly entitled to walk away and try elsewhere. If nerves persist, consider taking someone with you.
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