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Car mechanics help motorists get back on the road when their vehicle needs an engine tune-up, repair or replacement parts, so you'd think they'd be a driver's best friend.


But high labour costs and technical jargon can leave car owners feeling like outsiders - and research from aftermarket warranty provider Warrantywise has found that mechanics now rank as the least trusted trade.


In fact, car mechanics are even less trusted by their customers than estate agents, plumbers, electricians and telephone service providers.


Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: "The motor industry thinks it offers a friendly, professional face to the public, but the truth is that most of the public is still petrified of being ripped off and bamboozled with jargon."


Who has the biggest trust issues?


Mechanics keen to be trusted by their customers should be particularly careful when dealing with female clients.


The research found that 62% of men expect to be ripped off by a repair shop, but this figure rises to 78%, nearly four in every five women.


Main dealers - whose labour rates are often higher - also have a reputation problem to tackle, as with hourly rates of around £230 an hour in some cases, customers across the board expect a much better deal when they go to an independent garage.


And finally, try to avoid jargon, technical terms and unclear acronyms, as even common components like a diesel particulate filter can leave three quarters of motorists confused if referred to only as a DPF.


Showing a friendlier face


So what can car mechanics do to come across to customers as being more trustworthy? It's not an easy challenge, but a combination of professional standards and personal manner could help.


Having the right public liability insurance in place is a clear indication that you put the protection of your customers first - you can publicise the fact that you hold a good amount of cover while using this as a springboard to mention customer safety and fair dealing.


Meanwhile in your personal interactions with customers, try to use plain English without being patronising, especially when dealing with female motorists who might have even lower expectations of the treatment they will receive.