The best Solution for Car Maintenance
Finding a reliable and honest mechanic can sometimes feel like the quest for the Holy Grail. In the recent past, there have been numerous incidents of local garages and dealership mechanics that have been less than honest or reputable in their service to customers. Thankfully, an influx of stories run by local and national news stations have forced many of these less than highly regarded service providers to clean up their act.
This leaves us with a different dilemma, however. Who provides the best maintenance services, the local garage or your dealer? For more information, read on about the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of each choice.
-The Corner Garage-
The good:
Your corner garage is nearby, provides fast service and will cost two to three times less than their dealership competitors. These are normally owned and operated by someone you know, or someone you have been referred to as a reliable and trustworthy mechanic.
The bad:
Dependent on the type of car you own and its warranty status, taking it anywhere other than to an authorized garage might void the warranty. While corner garage prices will typically be significantly less than your dealership, keep in mind that dealership mechanics are certified in the cars that they service. This added level of education can sometimes make a difference in the quality of work you receive.
The ugly:
Even though many local garage owners are in the business of doing good business, there are still a few that are practicing in deceiving their client base to turn a quick buck. Because there is no larger corporation keeping an eye on a local garage's integrity, this can yield to temptation for failing businesses.
-The Dealership Service Center-
The good:
Clean, pristine, and always well stocked with coffee and snacks, your dealership is the epitome of comfort as your wait for vehicle repairs. Certified mechanics mean that only the best of the best are working on your car, and dealer certified parts mean that each part replaced comes with it's own warranty. Dealerships rely on customer service scores, so they will normally bend over backward to make your experience pain and hassle free in order to receive a good survey.
The bad:
Dealership certified mechanics and certified parts are going to cost more than generic counterparts. This can equate to two to three times the cost of vehicle repairs than what you might pay at a corner garage.
The ugly:
Just because dealerships tout certified mechanics, doesn't mean that they are always better mechanics. There are plenty of dealership mechanics, certified in their craft that are just out of school with no practical experience. This can mean that they are still learning and improving their knowledge on your car, and it might not be repaired with perfect accuracy.
The conclusion:
Your car, its age, and its warranty should be major deciding factors in where you receive your repairs and maintenance. Many dealerships will offer free oil changes, in order to improve customer loyalty in their service department. This is something that is not only beneficial, but also free when purchasing a new car, and something you should defiantly take advantage of. With extended warranties on most cars, going to the dealership will make the most sense.
If you're driving around town in a car that is a few years old and out of its warranty, you will more likely be best served by visiting your local corner garage. Even so, it's best to do this only after you've made sure several of the people you trust have given it stellar reviews. This will provide you with the fastest and most affordable choice in car repair available.
Choosing between corner garages and your local dealer for vehicle maintenance doesn't have to be a difficult choice. Using the advice and information here, not only will you be able to make it an easy choice in the future, but you will be confident in the choice that you have made.
