What Does It Mean to Be an AAA, ASE and Bosch Accredited Repair Shop?
Posted Aug, 2, 2011
At Muskegon Brake and Tire, we take our accreditations seriously – and many of our customers do, too. One of the most common questions auto owners ask when looking for a great repair shop is, “how do I know I can trust them?”
Our accreditations through organizations like AAA, ASE an Bosch are our way of answering that question. These organizations have set rigorous standards for quality in all aspects of car care, from customer service and technician training to part quality. When you visit a repair shop that has the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence, you can be rest assured that your repairs are in expert hands. Similarly, when you visit an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, you can be sure that they offer only the best customer service.
But our accreditations aren’t just for show. We believe in offering only the best service possible, and we’ve worked diligently at meeting the strict criteria of all three of these well known programs to demonstrate our dedication.
AAA Approved Auto Repair
Members of AAA rely on this organization for accurate automotive information, resources and assistance – which includes recommendations on which auto repair shops offer the best service. In order to be a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, shops must undergo a rigorous screening process which encompasses all aspects of service, from facility equipment and technician qualifications to customer service. A few of the qualities AAA ensures its approved facilities offer are guaranteed written estimates, return of replaced parts and a 12 month/12,000 mile parts and labor warranty. AAA Approved facilities must also demonstrate a minimum of 90% customer service satisfaction, based on a survey conducted by AAA itself.
There are currently only around 8,000 Approved Auto Repair facilities in North America today.
ASE Blue Seal of Excellence
The ASE Blue Seal of Excellence is a recognition awarded to automotive service shops that demonstrate a serious dedication to their automotive technicians’ training and certification. ASE, short for the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, is an independent automotive training and testing organization, and is the automotive repair industry’s gold standard for technician training. Automotive technicians seeking to become ASE certified must pass a rigorous set of tests and provide proof of substantial relevant work experience before achieving their certification. ASE offers technician training and certification in narrow specialties, ensuring the technician’s detailed knowledge of his or her areas of expertise.
In order to receive the Blue Seal of Excellence, an auto repair company must have at least 75% of its automotive technician staff performing diagnosis and repairs be ASE certified. Additionally, each service area the shop offers must be covered by at least one ASE certified technician who specializes in that area.
Less than one in 150 auto repair shops receive the Blue Seal of Excellence.
Bosch Service Center
The Bosch Service network is a group of high quality independent auto repair centers that have been rigorously evaluated in order to accepted as a recognized Bosch Service Center. As the largest OEM parts manufacturer in the world, Bosch places a particularly strong emphasis on part quality, and the organization itself offers high quality, cost-effective and fluids for top repair shops to use. Bosch also supplies its recognized service centers with top-notch diagnostic, equipment and training.
In order to be recognized as a Bosch Service Center, automotive repair shops must pass a rigorous evaluation and pass frequent ongoing inspections.
When it comes to quality repairs, part quality is extremely important. At Muskegon Brake and Tire, we routinely save our customers money by not only sourcing the best – and most cost-effective – part for the job, but by using quality parts which last longer and prevent breakdowns.
