The last thing any automobile owner wants to think about is taking their car somewhere for service. However, when that dreadful day arrives, you must choose between returning it to the dealership where you purchased it and finding a reliable local mechanic to complete the work. Which of the two is the better option? It turns out that it may depend on what you’re doing. Check out our list of advantages and disadvantages for both solutions.
The Dealership
To begin, you should be aware that you are under no need to return to the dealership in order to maintain your warranty. You can have the work done by any approved technician; just keep records of each visit and obey the terms of your lease and guarantee. Most warranties require you to keep a record of any outside work performed on your vehicle, so keeping records will come in handy if you need to return to the dealer.
The main advantage of having the dealership work on your vehicle is that the professionals only work on that brand. Dealerships have greater resources dedicated to their make/model and receive regular training to stay up to date on all the updates. This qualifies them as experts, whereas a local technician may not work on vehicles like yours on a regular basis.
With all of the technological electronics that newer model automobiles frequently feature, it may be wiser to go to the dealer. They will have the necessary instruments to run diagnostics on your vehicle that an individual shop may not have.
It’s also a good idea to establish a relationship with your vehicle dealer, especially if you want to buy from them again in the future. If you take your car in for all of your warranty work there and then require a repair after your car is out of warranty, they may be able to offer you lower discounts or other advantages that a smaller shop may not be able to provide.
Dealerships may also be able to offer you an extended warranty through your car manufacturer, which can be useful if your vehicle requires more repair in the future. This will be a smart investment if you intend to move or if you regularly travel by automobile. If your vehicle’s warranty or extended warranty is provided by the manufacturer, it should be recognised at dealerships countrywide.
Local Mechanic
Another alternative is to take your vehicle to an independent mechanic. They are often less expensive than a dealership. Most mechanics, though, are compensated on an hourly basis. Be aware that they may take longer to charge you extra.
Working with a smaller mechanic is a better idea if you really want to learn how your automobile operates and what the problem is. Conversations and relationships are easier to build with local, mum and pop mechanics than with those who work for a dealership.
While pricing can be negotiated at both independent shops and dealerships, you may discover that mum and pop businesses can give deeper savings. Just make sure to do your homework and look for the blue stamp of quality from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Wherever you choose to have your automotive service done, make sure to stick to the schedule outlined in your owner’s manual for frequent oil changes and tyre rotations. Do you prefer a dealership or a local mechanic? Please let us know.
Contact us at
Eastern Cash For Cars
720 High St Rd, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150
(03) 7035 7830
www.easterncashforcars.com.au
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