It may be cheaper to get your car serviced at an independent garage than at the car dealership that specialises in the make of car you have, but there are many reasons to use the car dealership. Most car dealerships will have fixed prices, so you know exactly how much it is going to cost you. Some car repairing services offer best t scheme that covers the services your car needs during the year, Auto repair west los angeles comes top of them.
A cheaper non-dealership service may not include safety checks and software upgrades. Don’t assume that your car dealer is more expensive than a local garage – many dealerships offer services at competitive prices to encourage customers to use them.
From time to time, car dealerships have promotions that save money on servicing. If a promotion fits in with your service schedule, take advantage of it.
It doesn’t matter how new or old your car is, it needs regular servicing by well-trained mechanics. A car dealership has a reputation to keep, and some argue that they will do a better job of servicing than an independent garage. However, if you have an older model car that is not under warranty and know a trusted mechanic that can service it, you may be satisfied with an independent garage.
Independent garages are often smaller than dealerships and may offer a more personalised service. Some independent mechanics have been trained by car companies, so their skills might be on par with the trained mechanics of the car dealership, but they may not be fully knowledgeable about the latest models. If you are thinking of using an independent garage make sure that they only use genuine parts suitable for your make and model of car.
For a new car or used car that is under a manufacturers’ warranty, you should be aware that if you do not have it serviced at the car dealership, you may void your warranty.
For older cars not under manufacturer’s warranty, you could choose an independent garage if it is cheaper and has a good reputation. Check online reviews to find out about customers’ experiences with the garage.
If you have bought an extended car warranty, this will probably require that the car be regularly serviced. They may not insist on using a car dealership, but you do need to have it serviced at a reputable garage.
If you have a high-end or expensive car that is not mass produced, it is probably wise to use the car dealership for servicing as independent garages may not have staff with expertise in that make of car. If you have a luxury model or top-of-the-range sports car, it’s worth paying the extra at a car dealership for mechanics that have been properly trained in serving your particular car.
If you decide to sell your car on, you may find that it easier to sell a car with a record of car dealership service than one that doesn’t have such a record.
Can you service your car at a different dealership?
You can service your car at any dealership or garage, or you can do it yourself if you have the necessary skills. You can go to any garage or mechanic for a car service, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should.