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Should You Have Auto Repairs Done At The Dealership?

The longer you keep your vehicle, the more likely you’ll need to take it in for repairs or preventative maintenance. Sometimes, your visit to the mechanic will be for routine maintenance tasks, such as rotating tires or replacing the air filter. Other times, major parts may need to be replaced in order to keep your car running smoothly.

A lot of motorists are uncertain whether they should take their vehicles to a dealership or to a local garage. While the independent mechanic’s prices are often less expensive, many drivers are concerned about voiding their warranties. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of the most important factors to consider when deciding where to take your car for repairs.

The Cost Of Repairs

The biggest difference between dealership technicians and independent mechanics is the price. For nearly all types of work, from oil changes to transmission overhauls, the dealer’s service shop will charge higher prices (often, much higher). And it doesn’t stop with the labor; they often charge a higher markup on auto parts.

The reason is simple: dealers have much greater overhead. Their facilities cost more to maintain and their technicians are often paid a higher wage than mechanics at a local garage.

Tools And Equipment

The guy at your local auto repair shop may be able to fix anything with a wrench, but having access to new tools and equipment can be valuable. Whether it’s a new diagnostic testing computer or specific tools designed by an automaker, dealerships have an edge. Not only do they have greater financial resources to invest, but car manufacturers will often extend financing for the equipment.

High-Quality Auto Parts

When the technicians at your dealer’s service shop replace a major part, they use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for the replacements. OEM parts are approved by the automaker and often come with a short warranty. On the other hand, independent repair garages can use either OEM or aftermarket parts.

At first, OEM replacement parts seem preferable because of their seeming higher quality. However, they cost more. Often, aftermarket alternatives offer the same level of quality at a much lower price (similar to generic prescriptions).

Protecting Your Warranty

The main concern for most people is keeping their warranty valid. Ask your dealership to clarify what types of work must be performed by the dealer’s technicians. For example, you will probably need to have all transmission work completed at the dealership. On the other hand, minor repair work, replacing small parts (i.e. alternator, catalytic converters, etc.), and oil changes can likely be done by your local mechanic.

In the end, there is no perfect answer. Indeed, many drivers are more comfortable taking their vehicles to the dealer’s service shop for every type of work, regardless of cost. Review your needs and your budget in order to make an objective decision.

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