Should I Service My Car at a Dealership or Private Shop

Should I Service My Car at a Dealership or Private Shop

Where should you go to ensure your car is serviced correctly? Should you visit a dealership or a private shop for the mechanic work you need?

You’ll find differing opinions on either side of this conversation and benefits for both. Some of what you’ll realize is that you need to understand which location you should trust and which one you should not. Of course, this could come down to the situation you face and the work you need to do. Let’s explore some possible scenarios that can cause you to go to either place for your car service.

Where Should You Go With an Electronics Problem?

Modern electronics can still be something of an enigma to independent shops. General mechanics do not receive the software updates for late-model vehicles to ensure the electronics are updated. The only time you should take your late-model car to an independent shop for an electronics issue is when that shop focuses on a specific manufacturer. These shops and the dealers receive the software updates first and often install them in nearly every newer vehicle they service when it comes to the service department.

Where Do You Go When You Can’t Be Without a Car?

If you need a vehicle to drive and can’t afford to be without a car for the day, you’ll want to have a dealership working on your vehicle and not a private shop. Dealers often have a few loaner cars on hand to allow customers to use them when they need to continue to drive while their vehicle is in the shop. Most independent locations do not have any loaner cars, which means you’ve got to leave your vehicle with them for the entire day or a few days.

Should You Only have Dealer Service Records?

When you have any questions regarding your service records and where you should go to make sure the parts and service are suitable for your vehicle, you should head to the dealer. While independent mechanics will offer service records the same as dealers, you’ll want to have your car cared for at the dealer service center. One reason to take your vehicle to the dealer is if the manufacturer has a lifetime warranty policy for dealer-installed parts. You find this with some companies but not all of them.

Some Problems Must be Handled at the Dealership

Have you recently received a recall notice? Guess where you’re going to take your vehicle to have this handled? You won’t be going to a private shop for a recall notice; you’ll go to the dealership. These notices are made to have the work completed at the dealership because they adhere to the strict regulations and requirements of the manufacturer. Recall work is often conducted at no cost to you as the car owner, making it much easier for you to have it done when you head to the dealership.

Unusual Problems in a Rare Car Could be Problematic

If you have an older model vehicle with an unusual issue, such as a convertible power top that stops working, you may find that you need a specialist to handle this problem. Dealership locations are typically well-versed in late-model vehicles and might not have the equipment to work on a rare older model. Your general mechanic also isn’t the place to go for this service either. You will likely need a specialist the advertises they work on the brand and age of the vehicle you drive. This will probably be an expensive repair, but the specialist mechanic can get it done the right way.

Where Should You Go for Certified Parts?

The parts used on your vehicle make a considerable difference in where you should go when it’s time to have your car serviced or repaired. When you want certified OEM parts used on your vehicle, the dealership is where to go. A private shop will not always use OEM parts unless you ask for them. Of course, some OEM parts are more challenging to get than aftermarket items, which the independent mechanic uses.

Does Training Matter to You?

If you want mechanics that know your vehicle the best, where should you take your car? Factory-trained specialists staff the dealership, while ASE-certified mechanics may staff the private shop. The dealership staff is explicitly trained to fix and work on your vehicle, making it the right place to go when you want a staff that knows your vehicle the best. Because the dealer team understands your vehicle, they will use the right parts and go through the proper processes to ensure your car is fixed and ready to go back on the road.

How Much Stock do You Put in Creativity?

Manufacturers develop vehicles to fit a specific way and go through certain processes to be repaired correctly. Would you want a mechanic taking a hole saw to the underside of your car when the manufacturer directs the fix requires some parts to be removed to get to the item that has failed? Indeed, the manufacturing process is more prolonged and more labor-intensive, but the hole saw method is not the one that’s recommended for your car. Creativity is not the friend of your vehicle; you want a mechanic that does things the right way.

During the Warranty Period, Always Go to the Dealership

Service records are essential, and the proper service of your vehicle matters. It’s necessary to take your vehicle to the dealership and not a private shop when you want exemplary service and adequate records to be kept. If you head to the dealership whenever you reach one of the magical mileage numbers in your recommended service schedule, you’ll be glad to have your car taken care of at the dealership. Once the warranty has ended, you need to weigh your options and determine the best place for continued service.

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