Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Look at Recalls, and How They Can Benefit You during Auto Repairs

Auto repairs are becoming more and more expensive at present. And when you add in the cost of replacement parts, it’s no wonder many car owners dread going to auto repair shops these days. You should know, however, that there are certain areas in auto repairs in which you could save. All you really have to do is to be resourceful.

One way to save on car repair is to check out for TSBs or recalls made on your car make and model—some of these might be related to the problem you’re having, the reason you’re bringing your car to an auto repair shop. And if this is the case, then you won’t have to spend on the repair.

The repair related to the recall is done for free. Notices of recalls are actually sent to car owners. But, in case you haven’t received any, it pays to still check.

Auto repair shops are tasked to check whether the problem you’re having in your car is related to a recall or TSB. It should be listed in the repair order as a recommended repair. However, not all mechanics may do this. Some will charge you for a repair even though it’s part of a recall.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to do the checking yourself. This way, you avoid chances of being charged by a shop on a repair that you could have availed for free. You can check online for notices of recalls and TSBs. You can visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a list.

In the next posts, we’ll try to take a closer look at recalls and technical service bulletins and differentiate the two. We’ll also find some answers to possible problems that might arise in relation to this issue.

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