How to Choose a Garage You Can Actually Trust

Most people pick a garage based on whichever is closest. That works right up until it doesn't. A few minutes of checking upfront saves a lot of money and argument later.

1. Ask for the estimate in writing

A trustworthy workshop will happily itemise parts and labour before touching anything. Vague verbal quotes are where bills quietly grow.

2. Ask what happens to the old parts

Good garages will show you what they replaced without being asked twice. It's one of the quickest honesty checks there is.

3. Check the warranty on the work

Serious workshops stand behind their labour, typically for 1,000 km or one month at minimum. No warranty at all is a meaningful signal.

4. Look at reviews with a skeptical eye

Ignore the star rating and read the three-star reviews — they're usually the honest ones. Look for patterns rather than individual complaints, and note how the workshop responds to criticism.

5. Match the garage to the job

• Authorised service centre — warranty work and complex electronics
• Multi-brand workshop — routine servicing at better prices
• Specialist — tyres, AC, denting and painting done properly

6. Start small

Give a new garage something low-risk first, like an oil change or wheel alignment. See how they communicate and whether the bill matches the quote before trusting them with a clutch job.