Contact your local consumer organization regarding reputation, complaints, etc. Look for vehicles of comparable value to your own on the lot. Once inside, look for orderly conditions, modern equipment, customer service awards, and current training certificates. Policies regarding pricing and guarantees should be posted. The write-up staff should be courteous and willing to listen to you and answer your questions.
Technicians are the backbone of any repair establishment.
A popular way to judge the know-how of individual technicians is to look for certification. Besides giving you peace of mind this winter, a well-maintained vehicle is safer to drive, more economical to operate, and retains a greater portion of its resale value than one that's neglected. A win-win situation. Reprinted with permission from the Car Care Council, Port Clinton, Ohio.