2001 to 2003 APA Auto Repair Investigation Overall Results
Over the past three years the APA visited 127 repair shops. The overall results speak for themselves. Only 55 % received a passing grade. Car dealers faired better than the tire and tune-up chains. Trusting the sign on the door is no guarantee of competent work. APA recommends that you choose your garage on the basis of a referral from a long-time customer and steer away from advertised specials. Auto repair is so variable and advertising so incomplete that there is no assurance the final bill will be cheaper.
2001 to 2003 APAAUTO REPAIR PROBES
OVERALL RESULTS
REPAIR SHOPS
Total Visits
Pass
Fail or Unsatisfactory
Fail or Unsatisfactory (%)
Recognised Car as Test
NATIONAL CHAINS
CANADIAN TIRE
36
17
19
53%
GOODYEAR
22
15
7
32%
SEARS
14
6
8
57%
MIDAS
13
9
4
31%
PETROCAN* CERTIGARD
3
3
0
0%*
CITY-WIDE CHAINS
ACTIVE GREEN + ROSS
9
4
5
56%
MINIT-TUNE & BRAKE**AUTO CENTRES
7
4
2
33%
1
ALEX PNEU ET MÉCANIQUE**
7
2
4
67%
1
MONSIEUR MUFFLER*
1
0
1
100%*
INDEPENDENT GARAGES**
12
7
4
36%
1
CAR DEALERS
GENERAL MOTORS
FORD
CHRYSLER
3
3
0
0%*
Total:**
127
68(55%)
56(45%)
3
*Sample too small to derive a trend
**Garages that recognised car as test not covered toward percentages.
