Types of Automobile Repair Shops
An automobile repair shop generally known as a garage or car service station or workshop is an establishment for repairs, servicing and maintenance of all types of vehicles. Some auto repair shops are certified and authorised by regulatory bodies to carry our specific tasks while others are not. For example, if you want a roadworthy certificate in Sunshine in the suburbs of Melbourne, you will necessarily have to look for a certified auto shop in your area. LPG gas conversion is another activity that can only be undertaken by accredited service stations.
Here are some of the types of auto repair shops that are very common.
Auto parts store cum service station — This arrangement of auto parts stores cum service workshops is quite prevalent in the USA.
Independently owned and operated auto repair workshop — These include car dealers with workshops, franchises and OEM and independently owned workshops. These are authorised to carry out log book repairs and dealer servicing without affecting the warranty. In Australia for example, it is not necessary that a new vehicle or one under warranty has to be taken to a dealer workshop for statutory servicing. Log book service can be taken up by specific authorised and accredited workshops too.
Speciality auto repair shops — These are auto repair shops that specialise in certain areas only. These may include brakes, mufflers, transmission, wheel alignment, car air conditioning regas auto glass repairs and others. Specialisation in certain areas has its pros and cons. On the plus side, these auto repair shops have technicians with a high degree of skill sets in a specific area of auto repair and hence a car owner is assured of top of the line services. On the other hand, by focussing on a particular activity business opportunities in all other cases are lost.
Online automobile repair shops — Here mobile mechanics provide doorstep repair services but only in instances that do not require elaborate use of tools and equipment. New spare parts are also delivered.
These are some of the main types of auto repair shops prevalent today in different countries of the world.
