A smoother workshop experience starts before you arrive – 6 top tips to keep in mind

The Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), representing over 2 500 independent workshops throughout South Africa, shares a few simple tips to help motorists get the most from their next workshop visit.

Start with a good description of the problem. Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of MIWA says it all starts when making your booking. “Tell the workshop as much as you can about what you are experiencing. When did the problem start? Does it happen all the time or only under certain conditions? Are there any unusual noises or smells?”

Remove valuables and unnecessary items. Before taking your vehicle to the workshop, take a few minutes to remove valuables and any unnecessary personal items from the interior of the car and boot. Apart from reducing the risk of items being misplaced or damaged, a clear vehicle can make it easier for technicians to access the areas they need to inspect or work on.

Remove anything you do not need to leave in the vehicle, particularly valuables and loose items, says Ranft.

Give the technician time to diagnose the problem. Modern vehicles are increasingly sophisticated, and finding the cause of a fault is not always as simple as replacing the first component that appears to be causing a problem.