Winter has arrived in Alberta and that means now is a good time to check the condition of your vehicle and prepare it for the cold weather.
Taking your vehicle to a service and repair business is something many of us will be doing over the next few weeks. Alberta regulates automotive service and repair businesses as well as sales, so make sure you take your vehicle to an AMVIC-licensed business. You can find these businesses on amvic.org.
Before you hand over your keys, make sure you get a written estimate and all promises in writing. A service and repair business is only required to provide an estimate if they are asked for one; an estimate is not automatically provided. Remember, a business can only exceed the estimate by 10 per cent to a maximum of $100.
Ask about manufacturer, supplier or other warranty information and get all warranty documents in writing. Understand what, if any, additional fees and charges may apply. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure.
If someone is offering prices that are too good to be true, they could be a backyard mechanic, which is an unlicensed service and repair facility, sometimes operating from a residential property, often violating zoning and environmental bylaws.
AMVIC offers a free, printable service and repair consumer guide that includes more useful tips, as well as an authorization checklist. This guide is available in ten languages, including Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, Arabic and Hindi. For more information on how to recognize backyard mechanics, visit amvic.org.