How to Know a Quality Repair Facility

A modern car is a complex piece of machinery — with up to 14,000 parts and as many as 20 microprocessors. It takes a well-trained repair technician with the up-to-date skills, tools, and problem solving abilities to diagnose and fix a problem. In addition to know-how, a successful technician is a good communicator and appreciates the importance of customer service. This is the type of repair professional you want to know about. But how do you find one? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to instantly recognize a repair facility’s superiority?

You can. Since 1975, AAA has taken on the time-consuming challenge of uncovering repair facilities that meet stringent standards of excellence and bringing them to the attention of members. Today, there is a network of 6,900 AAA Approved Auto Repair shops across the country. These facilities meet AAA’s demanding standards for technical competence and customer service. In fact, only one-third of all facilities that apply to become a AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shop are approved.

An AAR shop is inspected regularly to make sure that the facility is upholding AAA standards and is giving members the quality service they deserve. Members who are patrons of an AAR shop can expect that:

Upon request, they will receive free maintenance inspections when they bring their vehicles in for maintenance or repair services. AAA members are also guaranteed written estimates and are assured that the cost of work on their vehicles may not exceed the written estimate by more than 10 percent unless this increase is authorized in advance.
The work done on their cars is supervised by a technician who is certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence.
The facility maintains all equipment needed to provide full service.
Replaced parts are, upon request, returned to car owners, with the exception of those parts that must be returned to the manufacturer under a warranty or exchange program.
The facility has been in business for at least one year and has maintained a customer satisfaction rating of at least 90 percent and has undergone a AAA background check into financial history, community reputation, and insurance.
Service will be performed by technicians who participate in regular, formal training that keeps them up-to -date on automotive advances.
The facility will allow mediation by AAA in the event an issue develops. AAA’s resolution decision will be accepted by the business but is not binding upon the member.
Repairs, including parts and labor, are covered by a minimum12-month or 12,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first.

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Published in the September 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.