General garages or shops that specialize in brakes or mufflers are cheaper alternatives for fixing or replacing items prone to normal wear -- brakes, shocks and struts, CV joints, mufflers and tires -- as well as services such as oil changes and front-end alignments.

And what about the debate over using factory-new parts, as opposed to parts made by someone with no connection to the manufacturer?

So-called factory parts are rarely made by Ford, GM, Honda or any other manufacturer. Subcontractors make their parts, so it's entirely possible that the part in a box with the manufacturer's logo at the dealership -- which likely will cost 20 percent more -- is the same part that's in a different box at the discount auto parts store.

A good rule of thumb: Make sure there's a warranty on the part and that it's specifically made for your vehicle. Then go for the best price, regardless of the logo on the box.

When it comes to body-and-fender work, the landscape isn't quite so clear-cut. Straightening a bent frame section or matching paint so a repair is undetectable can require a great deal of expertise that only a large dealer or repair shop can offer.

Replacing air bags and the sensors that trigger them in an accident can also require specialized knowledge. But some dealerships have taken to farming out much of their body and fender work to independent shops. An honest dealer will disclose this, but some will let you believe your car will be repaired in-house and will charge as though it was.

This is when your insurance company can be your best friend. Let them recommend a shop or dealer and have them directly pay the facility that does the work. That way you know what your out-of-pocket expense will be -- usually your deductible -- and your insurance company will have to stand behind the quality of the work.

In general, here are the questions you should ask before deciding where to get repair work done:

• What's their hourly rate?
• Do they estimate repairs by a book rate or a straight hourly rate?
• Are they certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or some other industry group, such as AAA?
• Does their estimate include separate totals for parts and labor?
• How does the cost of parts compare with the price at a discount house? Expect a markup, but it shouldn't be exorbitant.
• Will they do the work for "labor only" if you provide the parts?
• How long will they have your car and will they guarantee when it will be complete? One advantage in favor of dealers is that they often provide a loaner car if repairs will take days.

You should also inspect the shop to see if it is clean, well-organized and seems to be run in a professional manner. Engage the manager, owner or mechanic in discussion and trust your instincts about whether you're getting straight answers.

Terry Jackson has authored several automotive books, is the former editor-in-chief of AMI Auto World Magazine and has written for dozens of publications, including Automobile, Road & Track and AutoWeek.

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