What are the most important traits in good mechanics?  I'm afraid with all the testing, licensing and gadgets that mechanics are required to have knowledge of and be in compliance on that the ordinary talents may not be properly developed.  When I was running a full time tree and landscape service, getting the job done well and and the right price was the critical thing, not licensing and other nit-picking legal stuff.  

 

So what are the key features in quality mechanics and what are the best ones you have known?   

... what are the key features in quality mechanics and what are the best ones you have known?   

 

Honesty, sincerity and know-how.

Honesty is # 1. Next would be knowledge and know how on how to correctly diagnose a problem, and fix the problem. Throwing on new parts in hopes it will fix the problem is not a good trait of a competent mechanic. Relying ONLY on a computer program to calculate a labor price is not good. Common sense should be used by a mechanic and the shop.

 

On my Subie, I needed brake line replacement in the rear because old lines had rusted so badly. I told the shop what I needed done. Later they called back to say the gas tank needed to be dropped to do the job. Okay, I agreed on this course of action. I paid $470 to have the work done. Only later, did I notice the brake lines were simply cut, and lines were routed around the tank and spliced together. I was mad, because the splice job prolly took about 1 hour of labor, and brake line doesn't cost much. I returned tothe shop to complain about the high bill, and was told that is what the computer said to charge. After some discussion, the shop refunded 2 hours of labor amounting to $170. Shop owner never apologized for the over charge. That is where a lack of common sense was missing. I am not going back there again.

I will add to the above points:

 

Experience.  Also that age does not necessarily reflect experience.  I know 20-somethings with tons of experience and 50-somethings who don't know the difference between a radiator and a transmission cooler.

 

Knowledge of the specific product.  You can't expect someone who primarily works on German cars to to know Subarus, or Fords for that matter.  There are a few (like my husband) who just "get it", no matter what it is, but that's not usually true of most mechanics.

 

Right tools for the job. 

Honesty is # 1. Next would be knowledge and know how on how to correctly diagnose a problem, and fix the problem. Throwing on new parts in hopes it will fix the problem is not a good trait of a competent mechanic. Relying ONLY on a computer program to calculate a labor price is not good. Common sense should be used by a mechanic and the shop.

 

On my Subie, I needed brake line replacement in the rear because old lines had rusted so badly. I told the shop what I needed done. Later they called back to say the gas tank needed to be dropped to do the job. Okay, I agreed on this course of action. I paid $470 to have the work done. Only later, did I notice the brake lines were simply cut, and lines were routed around the tank and spliced together. I was mad, because the splice job prolly took about 1 hour of labor, and brake line doesn't cost much. I returned tothe shop to complain about the high bill, and was told that is what the computer said to charge. After some discussion, the shop refunded 2 hours of labor amounting to $170. Shop owner never apologized for the over charge. That is where a lack of common sense was missing. I am not going back there again.

 

 

If someone is relying on the book rate to do the job, then they should be doing it right.  Cutting and splicing is not doing the job right.  

 

And that is something else, find a mechanic that does the work correctly not some hap-hazard way that is not going to last.  Most of the time the manufacturer installed things the way they did for a reason.

One of the best or most energetic mechanics I have known is Ray Greene in the Brattleboro, Vt area.  He could cut split and deliver three cords of firewood in a day and changed engines on Subarus outside in the winter in less than a day.  There is a lot to be said for energy, vitality and raw ability and motivation.

As a small business owner, I can tell you from experience this is how I get return customers

#1.) Honesty

#2.) Reliability

#3.) Get the job Done right the first time

#4.) Charge accordingly,

 

I'm always telling people, I don't use cheap parts. If you want it done cheap you can have someone else do it. I garuntee all of my work and I have quite a few loyal customers.