How to Choose Between Independent Repair Shops and Dealership Service Departments
Car owners are often conflicted about whether to go to an independent repair shop or a dealership service department. Here are some guidelines to help you decide where to take your car.
More...
The Bill
If your only consideration is how much it costs, then you will lean toward independents that may have lower labor costs. Remember that smaller doesn’t always mean that a shop is independent however. Many small shops are just as corporate as the dealerships. This means that your costs will be the same or higher, and you won’t necessarily be getting better service.
A Rare Problem
If you are concerned about what appears to be a rare problem, remember that dealerships have access to manufacturer support. You can save time and money by going to a dealership that sells your brand of car. They may be able to diagnose your weird car problem and restore your car to health.
Your Schedule
This problem can cut both ways. Your dealership service department is often much larger than an independent shop. There are many service bays and lots of mechanics. This can get you in and out the door faster. However, a smaller shop may simply have fewer customers and more time. It will pay to get time estimates from both places.
Your Car Warranty
If your car is under warranty, there really is no place to go but the dealership. You’ll have all the paperwork you need if something goes wrong later. If you get the work done at a regular repair shop it may not protect you in the event that there is a malfunction that should be covered under warranty.
Repair Warranties
A dealership often has an official repair warranty. It may be six months or a year. There may also be a parts warranty. How does an independent shop handle it if you need to dispute the effectiveness of a repair? That’s something to find out before a big repair job.
Your Brand
Some brands are best repaired by mechanics who have superior knowledge of the brand’s engineering. For instance, you may want a Lexus oil change rather than one done by your average drive-through service. Lexus is a luxury brand, and there is a big emphasis on maintenance, making their dealership services a bit more advanced than what you might get elsewhere.
Better Parts
A dealership is more likely to stress OEM parts. These are made by the original manufacturer who supplied the part to the factory. It is probably worth the extra money if it’s a luxury car or a relatively new car. OEM parts help hold a vehicle’s value at resale. If your car is very old or you are desperate to save money, an independent repair shop is more likely to offer less expensive alternatives.
Service Records
An independent repair shop may not maintain your service records in a computer database. That puts the burden on you to keep up with every oil change and repair. If you are naturally organized, you’ll be fine. On the other hand, a dealer service department is likely to keep a computerized record of all repairs. This can be a handy service record when you get ready to sell the car.
Hopefully, these general guidelines can help you as you determine where to take your car for maintenance and repairs. Considering the expense, we hope you get the best value for your money possible.
Related Posts
Are Dodge Chargers Expensive to Fix?
Fleet Fuel Cards for Optimal Car or Truck Expense Tracking
Top Simple Ways to Improve the Look of Your Car
A look under the hood of Waymo robotaxis
What are toll roads, and how to pay the tolls?