Quick Answer
Before visiting a garage, one phone call with seven specific questions tells you whether they're a specialist or a stamp shop. This quick-reference guide separates the competent from the con
Article #16 covered the deep evaluation framework — the 15-item checklist for assessing a specialist after you visit. This article is the prequel: how to filter garages before you waste a morning driving across Dubai.
Seven questions. Five minutes. Save yourself a trip to a garage that will disappoint you.
What you want to hear: The specific OEM tool name.
Red flags:
Why this matters: Without the OEM tool, the shop cannot perform bi-directional testing, read stored module history, code new components, or access brand-specific service data. They're guessing.
What you want to hear: A specific number, ideally 10+ per month for your brand.
Red flags:
Why this matters: A technician who sees 10+ cars of your brand per month recognises fault patterns, knows the common failures, and has developed efficient repair procedures. A technician who sees 2-3 per month is still learning.
What you want to hear: "We use adjusted intervals for Dubai conditions" or specific examples like "We recommend oil change at 10,000 km instead of 15,000 km."
Red flags:
Why this matters: A shop that hasn't considered Dubai's impact on maintenance intervals will under-service your car according to the book and over-service it according to your climate. Neither is optimal.
What you want to hear: "Yes, we walk you through the diagnostic findings on screen" or "We provide a printout of the full diagnostic report."
Red flags:
Why this matters: Transparent diagnostics builds trust and prevents unnecessary work. A shop that hides the diagnostic screen may be interpreting the data selectively. A shop that shows you the data has nothing to hide.
What you want to hear: A clear diagnostic fee (AED 300-800 depending on scope) that is either applied to the repair cost or clearly separated.
Red flags:
Why this matters: A shop that charges a fair diagnostic fee respects the skill and tools involved. A shop offering "free diagnostics" either isn't doing real diagnostics or is recouping the cost elsewhere.
What you want to hear: "Yes — photos, diagnostic screenshots, and/or video of the work performed."
Red flags:
Why this matters: Documentation proves the work was done, provides records for resale, and creates accountability. A shop that documents by default has nothing to hide and understands the value of transparent service.
What you want to hear: "You pay the diagnostic fee only — no charges for work not completed" or "No fix, no fee on the repair labour."
Red flags:
Why this matters: This question reveals the shop's integrity. Every honest specialist has encountered problems they couldn't solve immediately. How they handle that situation tells you everything about their ethics.
| Score | Questions Answered Well | Verdict | |-------|------------------------|---------| | 7/7 | All seven | Strong candidate — book a visit | | 5-6/7 | Most | Promising — visit and evaluate in person | | 3-4/7 | Some | Proceed with caution — gaps in capability or transparency | | 0-2/7 | Few or none | Look elsewhere — significant red flags |
If the phone screen scores 5+, confirm these during your first visit:
Walk the floor (5 minutes):
Watch the interaction (5 minutes):
Check the paperwork (2 minutes):
Independent specialists aren't always the right choice. Stay with the dealer when:
| Situation | Why Dealer | |-----------|-----------| | Under manufacturer warranty | Simplest warranty claim path | | Recall or campaign work | Only performed at dealers | | Software updates requiring online connection to manufacturer | Some updates require dealer network access | | Complex warranty-related diagnostics | Dealer has manufacturer technical support line | | Vehicle under 2 years old with full dealer package | Keep the service record consistent |
When to consider an independent:
Q: Should I call multiple garages with the same questions?
A: Yes — call 3-5 garages for your specific brand. The contrast in answers will be immediately obvious. The shops that answer confidently and specifically will stand out from those that are vague or defensive.
Q: What if a garage gets defensive when I ask these questions?
A: That's a red flag in itself. A confident specialist welcomes informed customers because they understand the value of what they offer. Defensiveness usually indicates insecurity about capabilities or pricing.
Q: Is it rude to ask about diagnostic tools and experience?
A: No. You're entrusting a AED 200,000-500,000 vehicle to their care. These are reasonable, professional questions. Any shop that considers them rude isn't one you want working on your car.
Q: Can I use this checklist for non-luxury cars?
A: The diagnostic tool question is less critical for non-luxury brands (aftermarket tools cover more functionality on mainstream vehicles). But the transparency, documentation, and pricing questions apply to any garage.
Q: How do I verify the garage actually has the OEM tool they claim?
A: Ask them to send a photo of the tool connected to a vehicle, or verify during your first visit. The tool should be visible in the workshop, not "in the back room." Some shops claim OEM tools but only have outdated versions that lack current vehicle coverage.
A shop that can't answer seven simple questions about their own capabilities won't answer the complex questions your car is asking.
Equipment. Knowledge. Patience. MotorMec answers all seven. Call us, ask, and judge for yourself.
No Fix, No Fee.
Reviewed by [Workshop Director], MotorMec Dubai. Last updated: February 2026
