When you need to get your car fixed, you may think that the place you bought your car would be the best place to get it fixed (If a dealership offers service as well). Although this may be a common thought, it may not be the best choice for you. Depending on your preference and your requirements for repairs, you may want to consider looking into other avenues when deciding where to get your vehicle repaired.
So the question is “Where Should You Go to Get Your Vehicle Repaired?”
Cost
Depending on the type of vehicle you have and your budget on the severity of the service/repairs, getting your vehicle maintenance or repaired at a Dealership may be exponentially times more expensive than your local repair shop. This may not because the service or repair they are performing is all that different, but more likely because of the name recognition of the dealership.
In many cases, getting your car repaired at your local car mechanic is much less expensive. Small Businesses tend to offer more competitive pricing because they want to earn your business in the future. In some cases you may be even able to negotiate the pricing if you know enough about the problem and how to mend it.
Reliability
In terms of reliability, a dealership may be able to offer a little more. Oftentimes if a repair was unsuccessful but a dealership diagnosed it as okay after a repair, they are held responsible for any problems that may come in the near future (Generally within a couple weeks of the repair). If the issue persists and as a result of the same problem not being fixed, the dealership may be able to compensate you on your next transaction there.
That is not to say that a Local mechanic cannot offer a similar service. Generally speaking, a mechanic shop tends to be able to do more for you than your classic dealership as they are constrained by regulations. A dealership may have a simple fix for a vehicle’s problem (Within the bounds of a warranty), while the mechanic may have a permanent fix, but as a result may void the warranty of the vehicle.
OEM Vs Aftermarket
In simple terms, The difference between OEM and Aftermarket is simple. OEM is the Original Equipment from the Manufacturer, while Aftermarket is another brand that is still equip-able to your vehicle and may offer the same, better or worse performance (Depending on the quality of the part). Depending on the frequency of repairs, OEM parts also may be in back order for older model cars. Some vehicle parts like doors, mirrors, bumpers, etc. may have a long queue and depending on the manufacturer, the dealership may not be able to get the parts for weeks or even months. Aftermarket parts on the other hand are almost always readily available. If you can’t find the part you are specifically looking for, chances are that there is another part the performs the exact same, still at a fraction of the price of the OEM product.
If you are on budget, getting an Aftermarket part from your local mechanic may be the solution for you. But many times, you get what you pay for. If the replacement parts are too cheap, it can actually work against you in terms of the longevity of your vehicle.
Aftermarket Parts can also increase the performance of your vehicle. Some parts Dealership’s may not be able to offer, or if they do, they may not be to the standard you’re expecting.
Time
Dealerships get VERY busy. There are often long lines at the service shop for Dealerships. Perhaps maintenance on the vehicle may not take too long, but serious repairs can take days or even weeks in some cases.
On the other hand, going to your local dealership can minimize the time it takes to repair your vehicle. A mechanic’s role is to fix your vehicle as quickly as possible because they know the more quickly and efficiently they can repair your vehicle, the higher likelihood of you returning to their location for future repairs. They Generally tend to put in more car and effort into a repair rather than some busy dealerships that feel they can take all the time they need.
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