BEND, OR -- According to a new nationwide survey, two-thirds of drivers have a general distrust of the auto repair industry. Marie Dodds, with AAA Oregon, tells KBND News many are concerned they’ll get ripped off. "They worry about things like possibly being overcharged, being recommended to get unnecessary services done, and poor past experiences. At the same time, we also find that 2/3 of U.S. drivers have managed to find a good auto repair shop that they can trust."

But, finding that trustworthy shop takes some effort. Dodds says, "AAA does want to recommend to drivers that you do your homework. You want to make sure that you look for a repair shop and you have one you like before your car breaks down, because you don’t want to scramble to find that reliable mechanic when you need work done right now."

She suggests asking friends and family for recommendations. "Find out the basics – things like how long they’ve been in business; check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any consumer complaints against them," says Dodds. "Then, make sure you visit the auto repair shop in person; find it if this is an outfit you’re comfortable doing business with."