Should I Get my New Car Maintenance at the Dealership?
Keeping a car in good working order is very important, which requires frequent and skilled maintenance. There is a certain amount of debate as to whether this maintenance should be done in the dealership from which the car was bought, or by a regular garage. Generally speaking, dealerships, which are usually licensed to a certain car manufacturer, charge higher fees for repairs than independent mechanics.
The mechanics at a dealership are likely to have trained there and and therefore have the knowledge which is necessary to work on the cars which are made by the manufacture which runs the dealership. These mechanics do often have better skills for working on a certain make of car, for example the fact that SUVs rollover more easily than sedans, then other mechanics. This area of employment is a competitive business, for which dealerships pay high salaries to attract the most skilled workers, a cost which is passed on to the customer.
However, it is not only dealership staff which have these skills. This is because many lower level employees at dealerships set up their own business after leaving, and take their skills with them. They can stay up to date with recent developments to do with their specialist model and can also pass these skills on to their employees.
Dealership garages will normally repair the vehicle using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, which is far more expensive. An independent garage is likely to use components which are made by other manufacturers, but which will almost always do the job. However, if the customer wishes for OEM parts to be used, for authenticity for example, they can use the dealership to to be assured of this.
Generally speaking, dealerships provide more of a luxury service, while independent garages provide something more minimalistic. As independent garages provide a simper service from a smaller premises, they can often achieve a much faster turnover. This will allow the motorist's problem to be repaired quicker and for them to be seen to after a shorter waiting time. For this consideration, the motorist simply needs to decide whether they would opt for a slightly more inclusive service, in exchange for greater waiting times.
Personal Considerations
If it is the case that the motorist lives near to a dealership, it may be in there interest to use them for repairs. However, if this is not the case, it is far more in the driver's interest to use their local garage for frequent repairs, remembering to factor in the cost of travel. However, if the damage comes under the vehicle's warranty, they should always take it to the dealership to get the repair for free (provided that they are within the warranty period).
In addition, independent garages usually have fewer staff, enabling the customer to get to know the mechanic, but more importantly, for the mechanic to get to know the car. This will allow a tailored understanding and knowledge of the car which is not available from a dealership. Despite dealership staff's in-depth understanding of a certain manufacturer, this is no match for knowledge of a a single car.
Overall, cheap car insurance customers may wish to divide their repairs between two outlets, to maximise their savings and access to the best skills. A motorist's decision on which type of garage to use should also rest on their priorities, such as OEM parts, or price; or short waiting times, or a waiting room with a drinks machine. This should be borne in mind, as well as simply asking advice from friends as to which garage they would recommend.