When you’re thinking about how your car looks, the first thing you may think about is a car wash. You can look for a car wash that you can simply drive through or one that involves more personalized and manual services. But detailing goes further than a car wash.

Detailing is much more thorough than a regular wash (especially an automatic wash). In addition to a wash, detailing will often include waxing the car, cleaning the tires, vacuuming and cleaning the interior of the car, polishing the paint, and cleaning your engine.

Before you choose detailing services for your car, truck, or motorcycle, make sure you ask family and friends for recommendations about services they have used. You can also check online reviews for more feedback on potential service providers. Once you have some suggestions from people you trust, you can contact the companies for more information.

If you can, visit the car detailer before you commit to any services. Is the location clean and professional? Can they tell you about the tools and equipment they have on hand to do your job? You will also get a much more accurate pricing estimate when the detailer can see your car and get a good sense of what the job will entail. You don’t want to get an estimate over the phone and then be surprised when it changes once your car is in the shop.  

If you don't want to travel to the car detailer, you can search for mobile car wash businesses near you, that can clean your car at your home or office.

Pay attention to the small print when you are looking at pricing for detailing. Does the service charge for each part of the detailing separately or do they offer packages? Are there premium prices for different supplies?

Because your car is likely one of the bigger investments you’ve made, you want to be careful before turning it over to someone to do work on it. Take pictures and note any existing damage so you know if anything happens to your care while it’s with the detailer. Make sure the company you choose is insured and ask what happens if they damage your vehicle. Is there a guarantee or warranty for their work?

 

For more information

For more consumer news, see BBB.org/news.

Visit BBB's auto HQ for more auto resources.

Find car washing services near you.

See BBB's consumer HQ for more consumer tips and resources.

Learn about the BBB Accreditation Standards.