We look at the myths and truths of servicing your car at a dealership, as opposed to using your local mechanic.

You know that proper and regular maintenance is necessary to keep your car in good working order. This is why it is important that you leave the work to a qualified mechanic who has been trained to do the job properly. This is especially important for luxury vehicles such as Mercedes, BMW, and expensive 4X4s, where the maintenance records play a large part in determining the value of a vehicle when you decide to sell it.

Choosing WHERE to service or repair your car

Article Options Email to Friend Print Article Remove from Favorites Add to Favorites Remove from 'Articles to Read' Add to 'Articles to Read'

Everyone has an opinion on where to service a vehicle. Many argue that local auto repair shops are best, and that you only need to go to the dealer for warranty work and recalls. Others believe that dealers are the real experts even though they’re expensive.

Most important factors are money and quality

In terms of money, all car repair is expensive. Whether at a dealership or local shop, car repair prices are extreme. Consumers are scammed millions of rands every year. In other words, every type of service facility - dealerships, local shops, and franchises, are ripping you off in one form or another as most of them are manipulating car prices

Difference in quality is a key factor to consider

When considering how much it will cost to repair your car, don’t forget to take into account the quality of the work carried out. The quality of service between a dealership and local shop is a key factor to consider. This includes everything from the customer service received, the diagnosis of the problem, the quality of parts used, to the technician performing the actual repair.

For example, you could have a water pump replaced perfectly (but expensively), at a dealership and the same job could be cheaper at your local mechanic but with inferior results – OR vice versa.

Many technicians don’t have the appropriate training

Today cars are literally a network of computers on wheels. These days, mechanics must be technicians in the true sense of the word. Technicians need an in-depth understanding of the advanced interactive theory of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems.
Inferior quality of repairs is often influenced by the fact that the majority of technicians lack the appropriate training, which can also increase the price.

Also, depending on the facility, the technician will be limited by the facility’s equipment and expertise, as well as by the company’s policies and practices. 

Does an older car really need a genuine part?

At a dealer, a technician can only use parts built by the manufacturer or factory parts. In most cases, this is great, and the example below is not intended to place dealerships in a negative light. However, repairs carried out by a dealership often exceed the value of the vehicle being repaired.

Factory parts are perfectly designed for the vehicle. However, a twelve-year-old car doesn’t necessarily need a factory part. The age of the car may not justify the expenditure, if the repair can been done for significantly less elsewhere. The technician may know this, but be governed by company policy in his undertaking of the repair. In cases like these, the customer suffers, having to pay significantly more than necessary.

A dealership may not be the only alternative…

The point is, that depending on the year, condition, and value of one’s vehicle, a dealership “may” not be the best alternative. However, this is rapidly changing. Technological advancements require dealer service more and more for computer updates, software updates, intricate electronic coding, and a host of mechanical concerns outside the scope of the local garage.

Local auto repair shops may compromise on quality

Unfortunately, a local auto repair shop may not be a good alternative either. At a local shop, a technician has a whole range of parts from which to choose, but this may lead to problems. First, most local shops will use local parts suppliers regardless of quality because of speed, convenience, and business relationships. You “may” get a better price, but the use of parts not built by or for the manufacturer can cause numerous problems, and may even cause other systems to fail. This is common—and, you pay for it!

Or they may prefer manufacturer parts

In light of this, many local shops are turning to the use of factory parts because it’s just less headache. There’s nothing more frustrating than installing an aftermarket component that has to be bent, twisted, tweaked, and manipulated to fit correctly or work properly. Not only is the part made poorly, it’s been modified before it’s even installed.

Experience can mean better quality of work

Car repair concerns are not limited to parts. The quality of the worked performed—diagnosis, labour, experience, and installation procedures—is a critical factor. In this arena a dealership technician and a local auto repair shop technician are often worlds apart.

A dealer technician has all available information and proper equipment at hand, although he may lack the training to know what to do with it. Nevertheless, he does have a team of co-workers and he can draw from their experience.

Dealer technicians also see your car and its types of problems daily, and what might be a complicated repair for a local shop is quite easy for a dealer.

Vehicles should be maintained according to manufacturer specifications

Before discussing what’s better, a dealership or local shop, a final point to consider is the condition of your vehicle after several years. What facility keeps your vehicle in “better” condition: a dealership or local shop? And, does this “better” condition translate into value?
Both local shops and dealerships are a vital component of the automotive service community. (Franchises are in a different category and thus have been excluded from this discussion).

In the end, the consistent use of inferior parts and poor technical understanding and workmanship continues to be the local auto repair shop’s downfall.

Although dealers still struggle with good customer service and consistent positive results, a well-maintained vehicle from a state-of-the-art dealership results in a significantly better quality vehicle, long term. A better quality vehicle equals an increase in value.