This post is part of a sponsored automotive series. All opinions are mine.
It’s not uncommon to wonder where you should get your vehicle serviced when the occasion rises. It can be confusing as to where you should take it not only for quality work but also for the best price. Today we’re going to compare the difference between getting your vehicle serviced at an authorized car dealer versus a private shop or mechanic. Ultimately everyone will have their own opinion, but today’s post will cover the facts of both service centers.
Choosing a Dealer
When you bring your vehicle to a dealer for having it’s service done, you can rest assured that the dealer specializes in your make and mode of vehicle.
“We see a large amount of vehicles just like yours every month,” Said a California Chrysler dealer, “So we can recognize when a problem is common for a certain vehicle and know what we need to do to fix it most effectively.”
One of the biggest perks of taking your vehicle to a dealer though is that if your vehicle is covered by warranty or if it has a recall, the manufacturer will cover the expenses through the dealer.
Dealers also typically offer the option of having a loaner car available when your vehicle is being serviced. This is incredibly nice, and gives you the flexibility to go home or run errands while your vehicle is being worked on.
Another plus side to using a dealer to service your vehicle is that you will have service records on hand when you go to sell your vehicle. They will also typically get stored within Carfax and other systems so that your potential buyer will see you had your vehicle regularly maintained.
Choosing an Independent Mechanic
When it comes to choosing an independent or private mechanic, you might lean toward someone that was recommended to you by a friend or family member. It can be reassuring to have some positive background on someone who is doing work on your vehicle and give you the peace of mind that they know what they’re doing.
Private mechanics are also known for being a little more cost effective. Though this might not always be the case, it’s generally assumed by people when they’re choosing where to have their vehicle serviced. You can do your homework however and get quotes from different locations to see which is true for your situation.
You might also have better luck finding a smaller shop near your home than a large dealer. If time or distance is an important factor for you, there are typically more little mom and pop service shops in a town than a large dealer. So odds are, to get to a dealer you may have to drive further than one of these other shops. But it’s up to you to decide what is most important when picking your location of choice.
What’s your more important factor when picking a service location? Leave a comment below.
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