Automotive maintenance is a common headache for many people. Most don’t have the skills, time or tools to do the work themselves and have to take their car to an auto center. But do you take your car to the dealership for service or an independent shop?
If your car is under warranty, it’s best to go to the dealership where you bought the car. Service personnel at the dealership are familiar with your vehicle and can help you keep it running great. They can also ensure that nothing is done to void your warranty. After the warranty expires, though, you may consider going to a different shop for convenience or to save money, but should you? Here are some things to think about.
Dealer Service Centers Have the Parts You Need
If you bought a Chevy Cruze at your local Chevrolet dealership, when you take it back to be worked on, the service center should have the majority of your car’s parts on hand. If they don’t, they can get them really easily. This means the shop won’t have to waste time finding and ordering the proper parts.
Independent shops, on the other hand, may need to take some time and order the parts your car needs. This means that convenient shop down the street from your house isn’t as convenient as you originally thought. Still, most independent auto shops can get what they need quickly and take care of what’s wrong within a reasonable timeframe.
Technicians at Dealerships are Well Trained
Dealerships require service technicians to go through extensive training. This means you’re probably going to get high-quality service from the technicians at the dealership. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t get good service from your local mechanic. In fact, many of the technicians at independently owned shops got their start at the dealership, so they are also well trained.
The bottom line is that shoddy workmanship can be found both at the dealership and the local shop. Because of this, it’s important to make sure everyone has the proper credentials and experience. Don’t be afraid to ask to talk with the person who will be actually working on your car. That should give you an inclination as to how good of a job they will do. If you are unhappy with the service provided, don’t take your car back to the same place. There are plenty of auto shops and even other dealerships out there.
You may Pay More at the Dealership
According to the New York Times, a U.S. Auto Parts Network called AutoMD.com found that car owners spend more money on average throughout the year when they get service done at dealerships than if they went to an independent auto shop. This doesn’t mean that dealerships are charging more per maintenance task – though some do – it simply means that drivers spend more over the course of a year. This could mean that the dealerships get drivers to sign off on additional maintenance tasks.
For example: If you need an oil change, an independently owned shop may just do a quick oil change and send you on your way. At a dealership, technicians may look for additional tasks that need will need to be done soon and convince the driver to do them. Tasks could include things like realignment, tire rotations, belt replacement etc. These additional tasks may or may not be truly needed.
If a mechanic at a dealership or independently owned shop says you need more work done to your car than you originally thought, don’t be scared to have them explain why. Have them take you out to your car and show you the faulty parts. Don’t believe them? Take your car somewhere else for a second opinion. If your car really needs additional work, have it done, but don’t let the service person sell you on repairs your car doesn’t really need.
Verdict
When deciding if you want to stick with the dealership’s service center or move on to an independent shop after your warranty expires, you have to ask yourself where you feel the most comfortable. If you like the service you’re getting at the dealership, then continue to go there.
If, however, you feel your local mechanic’s shop would serve you better, try having a few small maintenance tasks done there. Then slowly transition to that shop for everything. There is no reason you can’t take your car back to the dealership at a later date if you find the local shop unsatisfactory. For that reason, it’s usually smart to shop around and see if you can get great service at a lower price from an independently owned establishment.
