By Rick Popely, Cars.com
Many folks seek out certified mechanics when their car needs repairs, but does it really matter if the mechanic is certified?
More than certification, what you should really care about is the quality of the work done by the mechanics at your repair shop, their integrity and their honesty. It doesn't matter if they do good work but then talk you into paying for things you don't need.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence conducts the tests mechanics that must pass to become ASE-certified, but earning that certification does not guarantee good work or strong ethics.
On the other hand, mechanics in all but a handful of states don't need to meet any professional standards or obtain a license to practice their trade, unlike electricians and plumbers in many parts of the country, and doctors nationwide.
Despite the lack of standards, most mechanics are at least competent if not skilled at diagnosing problems and fixing them because they have a combination of inherent technical smarts and hands-on experience, even if they haven't obtained ASE certification. Many good mechanics dismiss the ASE's written tests as less relevant to success than having fixed an actual problem on a car.
Wearing the ASE patch indicates a mechanic was willing to spend time and effort to learn more and demonstrate that knowledge by passing a test. The tests are not gimmes; the ASE says about one-third of mechanics fail the tests on the first try. Maybe the mechanics made the effort to improve their chances of landing a better job or qualifying for higher pay, but their effort still shows they had the initiative to reinforce their professional qualifications.
Just as a licensed electrician or board-certified surgeon might let you down, an ASE-certified mechanic could do the same. But if you needed an operation and could choose between a board-certified surgeon and one who wasn't certified for that procedure, which would you choose?
