You aren’t alone in thinking you take good or excellent care of your vehicle. However, 90% of people admit to putting off necessary car care tasks longer than they should. This means you probably aren’t doing as good of a job as you think.
For many, it is the anxiety of finding a trustworthy shop to do the work. You want an automotive repair shop that will be honest about the problem, perform reliable work, and charge fair prices. Look for these five qualities in an auto repair shop to know you can trust them.
1. Certification
Ask the repair shop what sorts of certifications the shop and the individual mechanics have. This will tell you what type of knowledge and training the mechanics have. While certifications do not automatically mean the shop is a good one, it’s a start.
Certifications tell you the shop knows things like manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules, proper repair procedures, and common maintenance issues.
2. Community Reputation
About two-thirds of car owners harbor a general distrust for the auto repair industry. Don’t let your general distrust prevent you from seeking a local automotive repair shop. Ask neighbors, friends, and family if they have a place they trust.
Another option is to read reviews online. Getting recommendations and reading customer feedback tells you about the shop’s community reputation. If the mechanic shop does reliable work, has fair pricing, and is honest, you will see this in the customer reviews.
3. Experience
The more experienced a mechanic is, the more effective they will be at car repairs. They will know the little tricks to fixing common issues. Perhaps they know the secret to making quick vehicle AC repairs.
When talking to a potential shop, an experienced team will be familiar with the issues you tell them about. They will have a good idea of potential issues before they get under the hood.
4. Set Standards and SOPs
A reputable shop will have set standards for common tasks. This would include services like an oil change or brake repair. These are routine maintenance tasks that shouldn’t take long to perform.
A trustworthy shop will also tell you when the repair doesn’t have a standard solution. For example, transmission failure diagnosis and repair can vary significantly in cost and time required to fix.
5. Clean Facility
Take a look around the repair shop’s facility. From the customer waiting area to the shop where the routine maintenance gets done. A reputable shop will have a clean, well-lit, and organized facility.
This is especially important in the mechanic work area. A clean shop shows that the mechanics take pride in their work and the shop maintains high standards for its employees. This translates to more thorough and accurate work on your car.
Schedule Your Auto Repair
Whether you need routine maintenance or auto repair, this guide will help you find a trustworthy mechanic. A reputable auto repair shop will earn your trust with certifications, experience, and a solid community reputation. RNS Service has been Orrville’s trusted family-owned auto repair business since 1977.
Schedule an appointment and feel at ease with a trustworthy auto repair shop.
Owen Stoller is a third-generation member of the Stoller family and serves as a Service Advisor at RNS Service in Orrville, Ohio. Carrying on a family tradition that began in 1977, Owen is committed to helping customers make informed decisions about their vehicles through honest communication, technical expertise, and a genuine commitment to their safety.
With five years of professional automotive experience, Owen has earned Master ASE Certification, including the prestigious ASE C1 Service Consultant certification. His combination of technical knowledge and customer service expertise allows him to bridge the gap between the repair shop and the vehicle owner, ensuring every customer understands their vehicle's needs and can make confident maintenance and repair decisions.
Owen earned his bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management from The University of Akron, bringing a strong foundation in operations, organization, and problem-solving to the family business. He is passionate about continuous learning and regularly studies leadership to better serve both the RNS Service team and the customers who rely on them.
As the grandson of RNS Service founder Bob Stoller and the son of Jeff Stoller, Owen is proud to continue the values that have defined the business for nearly 50 years: integrity, quality workmanship, and treating every customer like family. He believes that auto repair is about more than fixing vehicles—it's about building lasting relationships based on trust and helping keep families safe on the road.
Outside the shop, Owen has been married to his wife, Carissa, for five years, and together they are raising their three children, Tucker, Wesley, and their youngest. Family life keeps him busy, whether he's hobby farming, making maple syrup, dreaming up new projects and ideas, or simply spending time with his children. Those same values of hard work, stewardship, and community continue to shape the way he serves customers every day at RNS Service.