by A1performance123 | Nov 25, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
You will see that we proudly display the Diamond Certified logo, but you might be wondering what is behind the symbol. When a company is awarded the Diamond Certification, it means that the company is in the top 10% of consumer rated companies in the Sunnyvale area. We proudly display the Diamond Certified logo in our business and our website.
Diamond Certified
To become Diamond Certified is a rigorous process. This isn’t just sending your customers to vote for you on a website. The American Ratings Corporation will call approximately 400 of the business’s real customers and ask them a series of questions about their satisfaction with that company.
In addition to surveying customers, American Ratings Corporation will also check to make sure the business has all the required insurance policies and state required certifications. The business must also prove that they have good business practices, offer mediation, offer the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee and stand by their work. If the business passes all of these areas at 90% or higher, then they will be awarded the title of Diamond Certified.
The process is not over with earning Diamond Certified status, however. American Ratings Corporation will continue to check on the company to make sure it still qualifies for this esteemed status.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance Auto Repair is a Diamond Certified business since November, 2004. We would take great care of our customers regardless of certification. But, the certification lets you know that an independent agency has done the homework to thoroughly check us out. You can be confident that when you use us to repair and maintain your vehicle then you will receive the best possible customer care and workmanship.
by A1performance123 | Nov 18, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
A Salvage Title is what your car title turns into after the insurance company declares the car a total loss from damage. They pay you the value of the car and the car is now titled only for the junk yard, or salvage.
What Is a Salvage Title?
There is a lucrative business in purchasing cars with titles that have been declared salvage. But, aside from that, you might want to keep your car and fix it up over time. You can reregister this car after doing certain things to bring it back up to road worthy and changing the salvage title.
How to Reregister a Salvage Title
There are many things you need to do in order to reregister to turn that salvage title back into a regular car title. You will likely need some help from the California DMV, but here is the quick list and the place to start.
What You Need to Register That Title
- Application for Title, Form REG 343
- REG 31 Form and CHP Inspection CHP 97C
- Sales Receipt or Proof You Own the Car
- Brake and Light Safety Inspection Certificate
- Title Application Fee
Smog Certification in California
When you have a Salvage title on your car and you’re reregistering it then you might or might not need to have a smog certification. Obviously, if the car isn’t running then you can’t get a smog certificate for it. See form Statement of Facts REG 256.
Recovering Your Car Title
Once all your questions have been answered on what is a salvage title and you’re ready to turn it back into a regular car title, the real work begins. There are many forms and hassles you need to get through, but if you really want to keep that car then it’s worth it. Here is more information on Reregistering Salvage Titles at the California DMV.
by A1performance123 | Nov 4, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
“Fix my car!” you want to yell at the check-in guy at the car care center. You went in with a car problem and while you’re captured there, they start with trying to up-sell you unnecessary plans and upgrades. All you want is your car repaired. Sound familiar?
Fix My Car
It used to be that you’d go to your mechanic at the car care center to have your oil changed or have it repaired. Now with the onslaught of automobile care being controlled by franchises, you are held hostage there while they give you the pitch, usually the long version. They want to get every possible dollar from you before you leave. It is annoying, but what choice do you have?
Well, you have a choice. You can go to a real car care center and not have to yell for the guy to, “Just fix my car!” A real auto mechanic has his or her hands full just getting through the repairs of the day and doesn’t have time to manipulate customers into signing up for unneeded and unwanted upgrades. They just want to diagnose your car problem, explain it to you so that you know what is going on and fix your car.
Car Care Center
If you’re tired of being badgered into signing up for things you don’t want or unnecessary repairs, stop by A1 Performance Auto Repair the next time you need an oil change, tune up or an auto repair. We tell you what is wrong with your car, how it needs to be repaired and how it likely happened so that you can avoid having to fix your car again. “Fix my car,” is something you’ll need to tell the other guys, not A1 Performance Auto Repair. We already know why you’re there and we’ll get the job done right the first time.
by A1performance123 | Oct 21, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
There are several ways to get a great car for very little money, but auto mechanics warn that sometimes these methods come with a risk. You might get stuck with a lemon and there is no returning it. So, take care in buying and if you can afford a little bit of a gamble, you just might get a hell of a deal.
Auto Mechanic Buying Secrets
First of all, an auto mechanic might have a car they just repaired that the owner abandoned. In this situation, the mechanic is allowed to put a lean on the car and obtain the title. They then sell the car to get their repair bill paid. Ask local mechanics if they have such a situation. The mechanic will likely know all about the condition of the car, so you might get a real deal and also know the condition of the car.
Another place to get a great car cheap is at the auto dealers’ auction. There is one in Fremont, CA, called the IAA. Only dealers are allowed to purchase and sell in this auction. If you have a friend that is a dealer, ask to go along on his/her next buying trip. The risk of buying here is high, because you’ll have no time to thoroughly check the car before buying it.
Another place to look for good deals on cars is at the Title Loan companies around town. When they are not repaid the loan the issued, they will repossess the borrower’s car and then sell it. An auto mechanic knows this is also a risky place to buy. If they were taking out title loans then chances are they did not have the money to properly care for their car. But, sometimes a deal can be found here.
Buying a Car
Always have an auto mechanic check out a car you’re thinking of purchasing, if at all possible. But, of course, the best deals will be in the auction situation. If you can afford to gamble, you just might score an great car.
by A1performance123 | Oct 14, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
A German auto mechanic knows German cars. Here are some fun facts about the Volkswagen Company. You might not know these surprising facts about the maker of the famous Beetle.
German Auto Mechanic Talks VW
Volkswagen means “The People’s Car,” but it was originally named KdF Wagen for “kraft durch Freude” or “strength through joy.” The person behind this car for the people was none other than Adolph Hitler. He wanted a car that could hold 2 adults and 3 children, was fairly inexpensive and could go as fast as 100km/hr.
The Beetle, or what we refer to as The Bug, was born in 1938, but wasn’t really introduced into the USA until 1949. It had an explosion of popularity in the 1950s, because it was so affordable. Aside from that, people loved it because they could customize it into a dune buggy or race car. By 1970, Bug sales peaked and the Japanese cars started to take over. The Beetle was done by 2003.
The VW bus was created out of necessity. The experimental department of the factory needed a transport vehicle. They modified a flatbed truck by moving the cab forward and then covering the rear flatbed. Hence, the VW Bus Camper was born.
VW is one of the largest bus and truck manufacturers in South America. They also race those trucks in the Brazilian Formula Truck championship! So, it isn’t just the hopped up Bug that people like to use to go fast. Of course, the VW company is also Porsche, so it all makes sense.
A1 Performance Auto Repairs VW Cars
A1 Performance Auto Repair has German auto mechanics that are certified to work on VW bugs, buses, Porsches and other German vehicles. Stop by our Sunnyvale location to meet the owner and the crew to talk about your German car. We’d love to give your car the special care it deserves.
by A1performance123 | Oct 7, 2015 | Auto Mechanic
So, one auto mechanic pricing is $70 per labor hour and another is $100. How do you know which is a fair price and which is an overcharge? Here are some things to look for.
Auto Mechanic Pricing
Auto mechanic pricing is based on the labor hour and is called the labor hour rate. Just because one mechanic charges $100 per labor hour doesn’t mean the bill is going to be higher for your repair, necessarily. Sometimes a more experienced auto mechanic is going to charge a higher rate. He might be faster at diagnosing the problem. He also might fix the right thing the first time, which means you pay for the repair only once. A lesser experienced mechanic might assume the problem is something that it isn’t and you’ll have to pay for that part to be replaced and then still have the problem. You’ll have to go back again and have another thing replaced. So, even though the lesser experienced mechanic charges less, it might cost you a lot more in the long run.
Ask your auto shop if they charge by the labor guide or if they charge by the actual amount of time it took to do the repair. There is a book that auto shops have that lets them know how many hours the repair takes on average. Many shops charge that many hours no matter how many hours it took to do the repair. Usually that labor guide suggests a repair takes more hours than an experienced mechanic will take to get the job done.
Fair Pricing
At A1 Performance Auto Repair, we always charge what is fair for the job that needs to be done. We have experienced and certified mechanics that get that repair done right the first time. You’ll always feel that our auto mechanic pricing is very fair. Stop by the next time you need an oil change and meet the crew. We’d love to become your new mechanic.
