What to Look for in a Fairfax Auto Repair Shop: Accreditations and Certifications

Quick question: What’s the best auto shop in Fairfax, Virginia? This question might have been easy to answer at one point, but due to the sheer number of Fairfax auto repair shops in business today, that’s no longer the case. These days, it’s much harder to choose which shop you want working on your vehicle.

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Luckily, doing a bit of research ahead of time can make the process of finding a reliable auto shop considerably easier. To help you get started, here’s what you should know about the role accreditations and certifications play in the world of Fairfax auto repair.

ASE Certification: The Most Important Auto Shop Accreditation

Though Fairfax auto repair shops and their employees can earn several accreditations, none are as prestigious as ASE certification. When a mechanic attains this honor, they’ve received the approval of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the highest level of certification available to people in this line of work. In fact, ASE certification is the closest achievement this industry has to a master’s degree.

Of course, auto shops that hire ASE-certified mechanics are the best places to get auto repair and maintenance in Fairfax. That’s because they take the quality of their services seriously enough to hire the best of the best — eliminating your risk of having to deal with slapdash workmanship or overlooked issues in your vehicle.

Naturally, the high level of prestige that ASE-certified technicians bring to an auto shop is something worth talking about. With that in mind, auto shops working with these employees will almost always make this public knowledge. As a result, it shouldn’t be hard to determine which Fairfax auto repair shops employ mechanics with these qualifications and which ones don’t.

How Mechanics Become ASE-Certified

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has been around since 1972. Ever since then, it has continued to focus on keeping the overall quality of vehicle repair and service as high as possible (and protecting auto shop owners, professionals, and customers in the process).

ASE certification is the institute’s primary way of working toward this goal. Mechanics aiming to earn this form of certification need to pass a test written by qualified experts in the auto industry. These exams are quite difficult. Only two out of every three test-takers pass on a first attempt — and mechanics who successfully pass the test must renew their certification five years later by taking it again.

Don’t Ignore These Green Flags

Because ASE-certified mechanics have more experience and knowledge than other technicians, you should make an effort to find a Fairfax auto repair shop that employs these workers. Also, make sure your shop of choice can offer:

• Additional qualifications. Employing accredited workers is a good sign, but your auto shop should also have some noteworthy credentials of its own. For example, it’s wise to look for shops that boast an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
• A wide range of auto repair services. No one is able to predict all the automotive repair and maintenance services their vehicle will need ahead of time. However, you can make sure your auto shop of choice is ready for anything.
• Tire-related services. Not all auto repair shops offer services such as tire repair and tire balancing. Knowing that yours does will save you a great deal of time in the future.
• Locations near you. Your Northern Virginia auto shop shouldn’t just have locations in Fairfax. Ideally, it should serve nearby towns such as Herndon, Leesburg, and Purcellville.
• A strong reputation. No matter how qualified a newly established auto shop is, it won’t be able to build a reputation in the area right away. That’s one reason why you should strongly consider shops that have been around for decades.
• Quotes for its services. If you want to know how much your auto repair or maintenance appointment will cost in advance, you’ll need to find a shop that shares service quotes.
• Money-saving options. The best auto shops go one step beyond providing reasonable rates. Additionally, they help people save with online coupons and financing opportunities.
• Online appointment scheduling. When you want to schedule an appointment for auto service, you shouldn’t have to make a phone call. That’s why the best auto shops give their customers the power to take care of this with the click of a button.

Find the Best Fairfax Auto Repair Shop

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of choosing a Fairfax auto repair shop, you’re not alone — but this doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. When you narrow down your options by prioritizing shops that employ ASE-certified mechanics, you’ll have a much easier time choosing one of these businesses for your automotive repair needs.

If you’re looking for a Fairfax-based auto shop that works with ASE-certified technicians, look no further than Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto. All of our mechanics have attained this level of certification, which means they’re more than qualified to handle any issues your vehicle is dealing with. To benefit from the expertise of our employees, schedule your next appointment online today!