Let’s face it, finding the best repair shop for anything can be difficult, let alone a shop for transmission repair. With so many shops out there, weeding out the good from the bad can be quite the task. The key when it comes to tracking down the best is knowing what to look for during your research phase. Here we will walk you through 5 things to consider when choosing which repair shop may be best for you.
REVIEWS
You’ve done your searches and asked around and now you have a list of shops sitting in front of you. How do you start your initial weeding out of the good versus the bad? Check reviews! This is one of the best initial ways to keep from wasting your time and making phone calls to shops that may not even be worth your efforts.
Reviews can tell you a lot about a shop, their service and how they handle issues when they arise. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to whether those reviews have responses. A response to a review by an owner or a manager is often a sign that you’re going to receive good customer service. It shows that shop cares about their customers, the service they provide, and the reputation of their shop.
Reviews also come from industry accreditations. Is the shop affiliated with credible groups? Has the shop received awards from vendor platforms? For example, in the transmission repair industry, ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Association) is an industry watchdog. In the broader automotive repair industry, AAA has an elite group of approved repair facilities that less than 1% of automobile repair shops qualify for as members. Moreover, platforms such as Yelp and Angie’s List makes it a point to identify the best vendors in each category based on customer reviews. Better Business Bureau was one of the original groups to provide unbiased information on service providers. How does the shop you are evaluating perform across all these categories?
We don’t like to brag, but why not? We are the first AAA Approved transmission repair business in Colorado. We won the 2019 “People Love Us” award on Yelp. We won back-to-back “Super Service Awards” on Angie’s list in 2017 and 2018. Our membership with ATRA and BBB has crossed three decades with a BBB A+ rating. We’re proud of our history and hope you chose a transmission repair shop that similarly cares about it’s standing and integrity in the community.
SERVICE
Speaking of service – the kind of service provided by a shop is important to pay attention to. Is your vehicle currently running or do you need a tow? Maybe the shops you’re looking at can help you out with a referral to a tow company they trust. They may even be able to help you out with a FREE or reasonably priced tow.
What about the inspection process? Many shops can walk you through what their process is, be wary of ones that can’t or won’t. Also, be sure to ask about any diagnostic fees attached to that inspection. Any shop will make an appointment with you, but most shops do charge a diagnostic fee – it’s always good to know what that fee is upfront so do you don’t get hit by a surprise bill upon pickup.
Of course, we can’t talk about good service without talking about communication. Communication is key for any kind of relationship, personal or professional. If there is an issue a shop cannot address, how do they handle that? Do they provide their customers with updates as needed? Interestingly enough, it seems to be a common issue that you drop your car off at a shop only to not hear from your mechanic for days or sometimes even weeks on end. Make sure your shop is an effective communicator by asking those questions and reading those reviews, as mentioned in our first point.
Our team makes it a point to offer a FREE TrueTest Inspection (aka “transmission diagnosis”) to all customers. Moreover, for customers completing major repairs, we even provide FREE towing service. These are a few of the offerings that allow us to be, “Geared for Customer Satisfaction.”
EXPERIENCE
Experience makes all the difference in any sort of service provided – especially when it comes to experience in a specialty. After all, you wouldn’t go see a general practitioner if you were diagnosed with a serious illness, you would go see a specialist. The same should go for your car when you’re having transmission issues. This is why it’s important to inquire about the experience level of the technicians in the shop that you choose. Are the technicians just general mechanics who work on transmissions or do they specialize in transmissions? You probably want Certified Technicians.
What about their experience when it comes to rebuilds? Do they outsource their rebuilds or do they have builders in the shop? These are all great questions to ask and can help build your confidence level in whatever shop that you choose. Don’t be afraid to ask about the background of those working on your vehicle.
WARRANTY
Sufficed to say, most shops these days will offer some sort of warranty, should they work on your vehicle. However, not all warranties are created equal. Terms can vary greatly from shop to shop and sometimes even job to job. Go beyond asking IF a shop offers a warranty and instead ask about WHAT KIND of warranties they offer – terms, mileage, etc… Is their warranty good only within their shop or do they offer national warranties as well? This is good information to know when comparing shops. You may not get an exact idea of what your warranty would be but knowing generally what the shop has to offer can help whittle your list down to the best transmission repair shop for you. Learn more about our comprehensive transmission warranties.
PRICING
You get what you pay for. It’s a saying that we’ve all heard and we all likely interpret it the same way. The most basic breakdown of the saying is that cheaper isn’t always better. This can be especially true when it comes to transmissions. You can almost always find what you’re looking for cheaper somewhere else, but with cheap often comes cheaper parts, cheaper fluid, little to no warranty, and overall a cheaper product. It’s important to really examine what you’re getting for your money. When it comes to vehicle repairs, spending a little more can really make a difference in extending the life of your vehicle.
The Advanced Transmission Center team encourages customers to seek out other shops if their sole decision criteria is price. We prioritize excellent service, experienced workmanship, and quality parts even if the price tag ends up a bit higher.
So, which shop should you choose? Use the criteria here to help determine what your needs are and what is most important to you. We can’t speak to what other shops practices are, but we can tell you that our reviews speak for themselves. We invite you to look for yourself.
At Advanced Transmission Center, we are known for integrity and excellence. If you have any questions about your transmission, call us at either of our two locations or fill out our online contact form for a free TrueTest Inspection appointment!
Learn more: We are your LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP in Denver, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Golden, Littleton, and Westminster.
Southwest Metro Denver (Lakewood/Littleton): Call (303) 922-4102
Northwest Metro Denver (Westminster): Call (303) 421-4140
Send us a message online on our Contact Us page.
Advanced Transmission Center is a Colorado-owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Denver / Lakewood and Westminster. ATC specializes in driveline issues such as automatic transmission repair, four wheel drive repair, clutch replacement, differentials, manual transmissions and CVT. As Colorado's first AAA approved shop our goal is to provide accurate, timely service with exceptional customer satisfaction. All of our technicians are certified in the latest makes and models and we are one of the few transmission repair shops with a nationwide warranty.
Free Customer Towing Service 
Free TrueTest™ Inspection 
Fast Transmission Services 
Comprehensive Warranty in Denver 
