When Consumer Reports published its latest car maintenance advice guide, the article was built around an apparent contradiction. The article opened with a story about a driver who took her car into a dealership that failed it for the state inspection and quoted her $3,300 to make it safe again. A second shop slapped a sticker on it and told her there were no problems. So get a second opinion? Got it.

Later in the same article, CR’s chief mechanic said, “If you want consistent, reliable service, it’s best to find a repair shop you trust and stick with it.” So wait! Which is it?

The difference may come down to the type of shop you choose. You’ll find your highest prices at a dealership. I’ve been quoted three times as much money for a job at a dealership as at an independent shop. They employ certified technicians, often use OEM parts, and tend to have a policy of fixing problems as early as possible. Most aren’t trying to rip you off, they are just geared toward a clientele who would rather spend some extra money than deal with future headaches.

On the other hand, you have chain repair shops. Think of Goodyear Auto Service–which earned an excellent rating from CR. Their mechanics will all meet a minimum training requirement, and they are good places for basic maintenance jobs as tire rotations and oil changes. But they may not be set up for bigger jobs. Or even looking out for bigger problems.

In the middle you have your independent repair shops. They tend to be smaller, local operations. But if you shop around you can usually find one run by a dealer-trained technician who chose to leave the hustle and bustle of working at a dealership. They may even specialize in the brand of car you own.

The downside with an independent repair shop is they have no corporate oversight. It’s wise to ask questions, and demand answers in basic English–not mechanic-speak. You can even find one that guarantees its work. But at some point you’ll need to trust your mechanic. And this is easier to do when the two of you have the same goal. What goal? You coming in over and over. For this to happen, they need to keep your car safely on the road for years, without overcharging you or otherwise betraying your trust.

It may require some shopping around to find such a mechanic. You may need to ask friends and read reviews. Search for a mechanic who has been serving your community for years. You may need to get some second opinions on your vehicle to see who is honest with you. But the benefits can be tremendous.

When you go in to the same shop regularly, the mechanic can get to know you and your car. They can spot small problems that may be high dollar jobs in the future, and warn you. They can give you important advice, like when to consider new wheels. And they can do so confidently because if they keep your trust they know they’ll see you again–no matter what you’re driving.

Next, you can see AAA’s tips on how to choose the right auto repair shop in the video below: