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- Ratings and reviews by surveyed Consumers' Checkbook and Consumer Reports local subscribers
- Undercover price comparisons
- Complaint histories from consumer agencies
- Advice to help you get the best service and value
When your car breaks down or acts up, it’s a major inconvenience—and can be a major expense. That’s why finding a good mechanic or repair shop is so important. Our evaluations of hundreds of area shops will help you find great service and low prices.
While even the best body shops can't undo an accident, our ratings reveal that many shops will get your car back on the road without a hitch. But our ratings also reveal that some shops may compound your misery with lousy work.
Because insurance companies pay for most repairs, for most auto body repair customers cost is a less important consideration than quality. But if you’re picking up the tab, how much the shop charges is important.
If your insurance or another party’s insurance will pay for your repair, make sure the insurance company doesn’t cut corners. Your shop can be an expert ally in this effort, but you also must make the right moves.
Our method of buying a car avoids hassles and yields the best possible price. The key is competition—getting new-car dealers to bid competitively for your business. We tell you how to do it.
Getting a good deal on a car lease is considerably more complex than on a straight purchase, and dealers love this complexity. If you want to lease, you can still initiate a competitive bidding process by nailing down several additional points.