Fast, accurate, transparent: how mobile mechanics can build trust with smart AC diagnostics

Why drivers don’t trust mechanics? According to AAA, two-thirds of American drivers don’t trust auto repair shops generally. The trust problem is long lasting. But what if you could earn the customer’s trust in minutes and sell profitable AC repairs and other services quickly and easily?

Certain repairs are best left to the professionals. With refrigerants that require annual certification and a complex system that the average driver and backyard mechanic doesn’t fully understand, air conditioning systems fall into that category. Unfortunately, vehicle owners have developed a distrust for repair shops and technicians, and they’d rather suffer with substandard air conditioning performance than get it fixed by a repair shop or even a mobile mechanic.

But what if you could earn the customer’s trust in minutes and sell profitable AC repairs and other services quickly and easily? With AC diagnosis, that’s exactly what you can expect.

But what if you could earn the customer’s trust in minutes and sell profitable AC repairs and other services quickly and easily?

Why drivers don’t trust mechanics

The trust problem is long-lasting. It used to be that a car needed a tune-up once per year. Common service items included spark plugs, ignition wires, and the distributor cap and points. For a relatively small charge, owners could service their cars themselves for relatively little cost or do the work in their driveway with hand tools. But cars became more complex with the addition of fuel injection and automatic transmissions, and systems like air conditioning meant that servicing was required by trained pros.

And unfortunately, dependence on a mechanic led to shady practices by shops looking to make extra money without putting in the work. Car owners were swindled out of money with big invoices for work that was either never required or severely overcharged. Even when the repair is warranted, customers have a hard time justifying the costs.

But it doesn’t stop there. Rates of repeat repairs are another pain point that car owners despise. More often than anyone cares to admit, a car owner’s concern is either misdiagnosed or the fault isn’t found, resulting in serious displeasure when subsequent visits are required.

And of course, there’s the issue of time management. From franchised service departments to independent service shops and chains, customers don’t feel their time is respected. It takes hours longer than they think it should and, in many cases, they’re not wrong. It’s one of the main reasons that mobile mechanic services like YourMechanic and AutoGuru have exploded in popularity.

What repairers need to do to regain customer trust

The proof is in the numbers. According to AAA, two-thirds of American drivers don’t trust auto repair shops generally, and that includes facilities that perform specialized services like AC diagnostics. It’s a massive opportunity for mechanics who do their job well to capture business. In large part, what it takes is gaining the customer’s trust, but how can that be accomplished?

Respect their time

A feeling that their time isn’t respected is the core of so much mistrust among potential repair customers. The growing popularity in mobile mechanics proves it to be true, and car owners roil at the thought of leaving their car at the shop all day, especially for a service that should take an hour or less.

Simply by streamlining the service visit and reducing the time spent with the mechanic will enhance their experience and build trust.

Show proof of the problem

Is the customer getting the value they expect, and does the problem truly require the repair the mechanic is suggesting? By providing detailed proof where the fault is and explaining the cause and effect, repairers can gain traction through transparency.

By providing detailed proof where the fault is and explaining the cause and effect, repairers can gain traction through transparency.

For AC diagnostics, that means demonstrating that the system isn’t functioning as designed, especially when it isn’t the customer’s primary concern. Tangible, factual evidence is necessary for mechanics to expect a go-ahead for repairs.

Get precise with the diagnosis

‘Fixed First Visit’ is the goal with every repair. When the customer’s problem is solved accurately on their first visit, it goes a long way toward developing a trusting relationship – one that goes well beyond the current visit to the shop.

Where today’s AC tools fall short

For repair shops and mobile technicians who perform AC services and repairs, today’s equipment has obvious gaps.

For a technician testing the vent temperature during an inspection to determine if the AC is working as designed, a thermometer is typically inserted into the dash vent. However, the results are inaccurate in many cases since the vent temperature isn’t tested relative to the ambient temperature, and humidity isn’t checked at all.

For a mechanic checking an AC system’s pressure, setting up the gauge manifold set to is cumbersome and time-consuming, and it’s simply not an efficient way of upselling repairs.

And for someone testing an AC system by checking for the correct refrigerant level, an evacuation and recharge, takes much longer than other methods. While it’s potentially more accurate, it’s certainly not an effective way of providing time-sensitive service.

And for all the common AC test methods, none will generate a report that can be provided to the car owner as tangible evidence a problem exists.

And for all the common AC test methods, none will generate a report that can be provided to the car owner as tangible evidence a problem exists.

How AC diagnosis bridges the gaps in AC repairs

When customers demand timely, verifiable, and accurate diagnostics, non-disputable technology can provide the proof, precision, and expediency required. AC diagnosis integrates IoT technology to test a vehicle’s air conditioning performance at the vent, then shares a report with the findings directly to the customer’s device through an app.

What sets AC diagnosis apart from other methods?

• The vent temperature is measured like a thermometer. However, it also measures ambient air temperature and humidity to calculate how the AC system is performing relatively, giving a much more accurate test result.

• The sensor fits into the vent in seconds and the report takes only a few minutes to generate. Contrast that to the time it takes to perform an AC pressure test at the valves under the hood or evacuate, pressure test, and recharge an AC system, and it’s clear that AC diagnosis slashes the time it takes.

• Results are indisputable. The customer receives a report directly, building trust in the technician and their tech.

• Because it’s so quick, AC diagnosis can be implemented as part of any complimentary or paid vehicle inspection checklist to add authenticity and trust.

Repair shops and mobile service providers consistently strive to improve the customer experience and develop trust. That’s what creates loyal customers, and repeat business is the most profitable. Help build that trust by implementing smart AC diagnostics into your service routine with AC diagnosis.

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