How to check a workshop has the equipment for your car

You've just noticed a warning light on your dashboard, or your car's handling feels off. Before you hand it over to a workshop, you need to know whether they actually have the tools to figure out what's wrong—not just guess and start swapping parts. A workshop packed with diagnostic equipment is your first signal that they take proper troubleshooting seriously.

Check their diagnostic equipment out loud

When you call or visit a workshop, ask directly: "What diagnostic equipment do you use?" Listen for specifics. A decent setup includes a code reader or scanner that can pull fault codes from your car's computer, and ideally an oscilloscope or multimeter for electrical testing. Ask whether they have equipment suited to your car's make—a Mercedes diagnostic system, for instance, is different from a Toyota's. Don't accept vague answers like "We have the tools." Ask them to name the brands or types they own. If they hesitate or dodge, that's a warning. A workshop confident in their capability will tell you.

Don't worry if you don't understand every tool name. The point is that they answer clearly and can explain why each piece matters. If a workshop says "We diagnose by feel and experience," they're telling you upfront they don't invest in proper equipment—and that means you're paying for trial-and-error repairs.

Request proof they're set up for your vehicle

Ask whether they've diagnosed your specific car model before. Better still, ask if they have a customer reference you can phone—someone who brought in the same make and model with a similar issue. A reference call takes five minutes and tells you more than any promise. When you call them, ask: "Did they figure out what was wrong without replacing a heap of parts?" and "Did they explain the diagnosis clearly?" These are the questions that matter.

Some workshops specialise in certain brands. If yours is a specialist—say, a VW specialist or a Japanese-car workshop—they'll have invested in the right scanners and test equipment for those vehicles. That's often a plus. General workshops must hold a broader range of diagnostic gear to handle everything that walks through the door. Either approach can work, but you need to confirm they've actually got the kit for *your* car, not just a shelf of dusty equipment they rarely touch.

Verify they're registered and properly trained

Check whether the workshop is registered with the appropriate motor industry body. Ask for their registration number and verify it independently if you can. A registered workshop is held to standards; they're more likely to have invested in proper equipment because it's part of their professional obligation. You can also ask whether their technicians have training certificates relevant to diagnostics. This doesn't guarantee they're brilliant, but it shows they've committed to learning the right method.

If they can't or won't share registration details, that's a red flag. Legitimate workshops are transparent about their credentials.

Watch how they explain what they'll do

Before they plug in any equipment, ask them to walk you through the diagnostic process: "What will you check first, and how?" A workshop that knows their equipment will explain it simply. They'll tell you they'll scan for fault codes, then test specific sensors or circuits based on what the scan reveals. They shouldn't jump straight to "We'll replace the battery and the alternator and see if that fixes it." That's not diagnosis; that's guessing with your money.

A proper diagnostic workshop will also tell you upfront how much the diagnostic check costs and what they'll deliver—a report showing what they found, not just a bill. If they won't quote a diagnostic fee or won't commit to giving you findings in writing, they're not set up for proper work.

When you're ready to book, use Strove to find workshops in your area with verified customer reviews. Check what past customers say about their diagnostic process and equipment—real feedback from people who've been through it tells you whether a workshop backs up their claims. Once you've narrowed it down, make those phone calls and ask the questions above. A workshop worth your time will answer them clearly.