COVID-19 might be rampaging its way around the planet, but that doesn’t mean that the need to service vehicles has gone away. Cars are still breaking down and require specialist trained technicians to fix them. 

The issue of car repair during coronavirus, however, is a tricky one. Social distancing requirements mean that you need to keep your distance from everyone outside your household, including your mechanic. But at the same time, you need to keep your vehicle road-worthy and in good working order. You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

What Are The Rules? 

Currently, all states have allowed what they’re calling “essential” businesses to remain open. What constitutes “essential,” though, remains a matter of contention. The federal government officially considers the vehicle service and repair industry as essential, but this view may differ from individual states. Local governments may have a different opinion – and that matters. 

The actual rules very much depend on your particular locality. In some states, there are barely any restrictions at all. In others, there are a lot. 

For us, we are still performing the vast majority of our services. Feel free to contact us with any special requests. We do perform full services for the following commercial and fleet vehicles, as well as many other makes/models:

  • Mercedes Benz Sprinter
  • Diesel Engine Repair
  • Sprinter AdBlue Repair

How Are Repair Shops Reacting? 

Repair shops aren’t passive bystanders in the current crisis; they’re looking for ways to change their working practices to keep their customers safe. Many are changing their routine to reflect this. Some now have fewer workers on-site at any given time to minimize the opportunity for the virus to spread. 

There are also changes to drop-off and pick-up interactions. Drivers and mechanics no longer stand close to each other, engaging in casual conversation. Instead, they respect social distancing measures at every stage of the interaction. 

Where possible, repair shops are moving their activities online and communicating with their customers through digital channels. Most physical dealerships are closed, but some still offer parts and servicing online to their existing client base. 

A lot of mechanics and dealers are also enhancing their cleanliness operations. Many premises now implement an hourly cleaning schedule to reduce the risk that the virus will spread via surfaces. 

Can You Still Get Car Repair During COVID-19?

When it comes to getting your car repaired during the COVID-19 outbreak, we recommend using your common sense. Ideally, you should only bring your vehicle to a mechanic if continuing to drive it on the road is dangerous, or there are mechanical issues that are preventing you from carrying out essential daily activities, such as driving to work or collecting groceries.

Remember, the amount that you’re using your vehicle has probably gone down considerably in the last month or so. You’re doing less mileage, and so there is less need to replace the oil or change the tires. Most maintenance issues can probably wait until the pandemic comes to an end. If, however, you can’t wait that long, your best bet is to contact your local repair shop and ask them about their current protocols. You may, therefore, find that there are differences in how the service operates when you drop off and pick up your vehicle.