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Dealerships vs. Local Shops
By Jason Green
June 18, 2013
It’s a question that every car owner must answer at some
point. Should I take the car back to the dealership for service or is my local
service shop good enough. There are many factors that can weigh on this
decision, the complexity of the repair, the age of the car as well as your
budget. Deciding where
to service your car can be a complicated question, here are a few things to
think about when considering where to take your vehicle for service.
point. Should I take the car back to the dealership for service or is my local
service shop good enough. There are many factors that can weigh on this
decision, the complexity of the repair, the age of the car as well as your
budget. Deciding where
to service your car can be a complicated question, here are a few things to
think about when considering where to take your vehicle for service.
Costs – In a recent survey AutoMd
found that on average you would pay about $300 a year less if you get your
vehicle serviced at a local shop instead of a dealership. The majority of this
saving is due to the fact that dealerships charge a higher hourly rate than
most local auto repair shops.
found that on average you would pay about $300 a year less if you get your
vehicle serviced at a local shop instead of a dealership. The majority of this
saving is due to the fact that dealerships charge a higher hourly rate than
most local auto repair shops.
While
there is no arguing that dealerships charge a higher hourly rate, you should
also take into account how quickly they can diagnose and fix the issue.
Dealerships can often correctly diagnose and fix the problem quicker than a
local shop which can more than offset the higher hourly rate.
there is no arguing that dealerships charge a higher hourly rate, you should
also take into account how quickly they can diagnose and fix the issue.
Dealerships can often correctly diagnose and fix the problem quicker than a
local shop which can more than offset the higher hourly rate.
Equipment – If you are driving a car that
is less than three years old you are almost always better off going to the
dealership. Automakers give dealerships an exclusive on the diagnostic
equipment as well as OEM codes for at least a year after a new model is
released. In many cases local shops may simply not have the proper information
or equipment to quickly figure out the problem and fix it.
is less than three years old you are almost always better off going to the
dealership. Automakers give dealerships an exclusive on the diagnostic
equipment as well as OEM codes for at least a year after a new model is
released. In many cases local shops may simply not have the proper information
or equipment to quickly figure out the problem and fix it.
The
diagnostic equipment needed for today’s complicated cars can also be expensive
which can make it difficult for smaller shops to keep up to date on the latest
equipment and training.
diagnostic equipment needed for today’s complicated cars can also be expensive
which can make it difficult for smaller shops to keep up to date on the latest
equipment and training.
Training – Dealerships are required
to keep their technicians fully trained and up to date on the latest equipment
and repair methods. Smaller shops will make every effort to keep their
mechanics fully trained but again, dealerships usually have deeper pockets. A
mechanic that is up to date on the latest equipment will be able to diagnose
and solve your problem quickly and correctly the first time, eliminating the
need for return visits.
to keep their technicians fully trained and up to date on the latest equipment
and repair methods. Smaller shops will make every effort to keep their
mechanics fully trained but again, dealerships usually have deeper pockets. A
mechanic that is up to date on the latest equipment will be able to diagnose
and solve your problem quickly and correctly the first time, eliminating the
need for return visits.
If
you decide to head to a local shop, ask about the certifications that their
mechanics hold, look for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
training and certifications.
you decide to head to a local shop, ask about the certifications that their
mechanics hold, look for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
training and certifications.
Warranty Work – While you are welcome to
have warranty work done at any auto repair shop, at a dealership it will be
free. This is not always the case at local shop. It is always a good idea to
take your vehicle back to the dealer for any warranty work and to have it
checked out in full right before your warranty expires.
have warranty work done at any auto repair shop, at a dealership it will be
free. This is not always the case at local shop. It is always a good idea to
take your vehicle back to the dealer for any warranty work and to have it
checked out in full right before your warranty expires.
Routine Maintenance – If you have an older
vehicle and only need an oil change or other routine maintenance it can often
be cheaper if you head to a local
vehicle and only need an oil change or other routine maintenance it can often
be cheaper if you head to a local
shop. Even routine maintenance can go wrong though
so make sure you check out any repair shop you considering thoroughly before
handing over the keys.
so make sure you check out any repair shop you considering thoroughly before
handing over the keys.
While
a local repair shop can be cheaper on an hourly basis, a
missed diagnose can end up costing much more than the local dealership.
Consider using a local shop for simple repairs or maintenance and head to the
dealership for anything complicated or under warranty.
a local repair shop can be cheaper on an hourly basis, a
missed diagnose can end up costing much more than the local dealership.
Consider using a local shop for simple repairs or maintenance and head to the
dealership for anything complicated or under warranty.
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