Should You Use a Dealership or a Mechanic for Auto Repair?

When it comes to having your vehicle serviced, there are many factors to consider including price, reputation, quality, customer service, and much more. One of the major questions that car owners often ask is whether it is better to use a dealership service department or to go to an independent mechanic when it comes time for auto repair or auto maintenance. Let's talk about the difference between visiting a dealership and an independent mechanic.

Genuine parts

Dealerships are part of the car manufacturer's parts supply line, and therefore the parts that will be fitted to your car are official. If you choose an independent mechanic, they may use OE replacement parts that are cheaper because they have been built by other suppliers to OEM specifications. Manufacturers ensure that parts are tested so that they do their job properly, but this comes at a premium cost. There are many companies around the world that specialize in producing parts that perform the same function, but these parts may void any existing warranties. Independent mechanics may use these replacement parts, so if you want them to use parts from the car manufacturer, it's important to confirm that they do so. 

Special tools and diagnostic machines

Cars are complicated pieces of machinery, and they often need specifically designed tools to use on the vehicle. Sometimes independent mechanics specialize in certain makes because they have the specialty tools required to perform more involved jobs on cars produced by that manufacturer. At the dealership, you know that your technician always has the right tools, which can save time, and we all know time is money. The same can be said for diagnostic operations. Technicians at the dealership have more experience, knowledge, and resources about a certain car than an independent mechanic might. If you choose to rely on an independent mechanic, make sure you're choosing a reliable and knowledgable person to work on your vehicle. 

Resale value

When it comes time to sell the vehicle, a full service and repair history from an official dealership can add more value to your vehicle. The new buyer can see what has been done to the car, but more importantly, can see that it has been done properly by factory-trained technicians. No matter who services or repairs your vehicle, keeping detailed records could pay dividends when the time comes to sell or trade-in for a new car.

Recall notices

Sometimes a recall and repair notice is issued by the car maker. While most owners are contacted, some who have their cars serviced and repaired outside of the main dealer network may not get the message. An official dealer will know which recall and repair notices have been issued for each vehicle. Often a recall notice is limited to a certain batch of cars built, rather than a general make, model, and year. Official dealers will be able to tell you whether your car has been the subject of a safety recall and repair, while an independent repairer may not.

Peace of mind

Dealership service and repairs are often more expensive than independent options, and it's important to consider all of the aspects of vehicle service and repair when deciding who to trust with your vehicle. Whether you take your vehicle to the dealership or to your local mechanic, it's important to have peace of mind knowing that the job was done correctly and you weren't overcharged for the work done. Contact the Easterns Automotive Group team if you have any questions.