Your car, truck, or SUV is a big investment, so you want to take good care of it.
Everyone knows that the dealer’s service department is going to cost more than your local mechanic’s shop, but is it worth it?
When should you take your car to the dealer? When is it best to use a local mechanic?
Will using a certified mechanic void your new car warranty?
Are the mechanics at your local repair shop every bit as good as the ones at the dealer?
In today’s article, we want to address these questions so you can make an informed decision.
Why and When Should You Use the Dealership
Obviously, when you go to the dealer, local mechanics, like our shop, don’t benefit financially but there are times when you really should use the dealership, including:
- When your car is still under warranty.
If your vehicle is experiencing a problem and that problem is covered under warranty, by all means, go to the dealer. You won’t have to pay a dime and the problem that was repaired will be well documented in case you have further problems or need that documentation in the future.
- If you have a lease that requires you to have maintenance or repairs performed at the dealer.
Although this isn’t common, we have seen new car leases that require that the person use a dealership for maintenance, repairs, or both. Read your lease carefully to see if this applies to you or ask your salesperson to clarify.
Some leases require that you perform maintenance but it doesn’t have to be performed at the dealership.
If your lease says that you must have work or maintenance done at a dealer, then, by all means, take your vehicle to the dealer to keep your warranty valid.
- Recalls and/or TSBs
Nothing is perfect in this world and sometimes, manufacturers are forced to perform recalls on vehicles. This usually involves a safety feature, such as brakes or ignition, but it could apply to other items, such as failing hood latches that can let the hood fly open at highway speeds.
Most recalls can be done for free at the dealer, so sometimes it makes sense to have it done there. But some recalls can be done elsewhere in some cases and dealers will reimburse the vehicle owner if the work was performed elsewhere.
TSBs (sometimes just called SBs) are Technical Service Bulletins or Service Bulletins. Now, these can vary tremendously. Some dealers and manufacturers insist that you have the repairs done at their location, but TSB’s CAN be done at independent shops. TSB’s are NOT a free service. Vehicle owners are NOT required to have work related to TSB’s done at the dealership.
Of course, if the manufacturer insists that you have the repair done at the dealer, it makes sense to have it performed there, even if you must pay.
Why? Because if the repair affects something else, and the other part fails, even if your vehicle is under warranty, the dealer may not cover the item.
If you should discover that there is a TSB on your vehicle, ask the dealership specifically if you MUST have the work done there or if you can take your car elsewhere.
Do I Have to Get Maintenance Performed at the Dealer to Keep my New Car Warranty?
Absolutely not.
Some people refuse to believe this but unless you have a lease that says otherwise (read the above section about leases) YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER.
Don’t take our word for it, call your dealer! They will no doubt give you a dozen reasons to have the work done there but check the prices and the wait time. You will quickly discover that, not only will your warranty still be valid, the dealer costs more and takes more time than your local repair shop.
Aren’t the Mechanics at the Dealer Better Qualified?
Nope.
Car manufacturers release repair information and updated mechanical repair guides frequently. Dealers may receive this info on a Monday and the repair shop will get copies on Tuesday.
Other than recalls, even TSBs are received by local repair shops.
In fact, if you ask, you’ll find many mechanics were once employed by dealerships, which means that they are every bit as qualified.
Look for a local mechanic’s shop that has ASE-Certified mechanics. This certification means that the person had to pass some seriously difficult tests to get that certificate.
Not only that, but take one moment to read the certificate. Mechanics don’t get a “one size fits all this dude knows his stuff” general certificate. Each system on your vehicle comes with its own certificate.
So, if you are having brake issues, for example, look for a mechanic that is ASE-Certified in brakes. If your problem is with overheating, you’ll want a mechanic that is ASE-Certified in the cooling system, etc.
There are ASE Certified Master Mechanics and these pros must pass not only 8-10 area-specific tests but then an overall test regarding vehicle repair and servicing.
At the End of the Day
We know that your car is important in your life. Most people use it daily and the last thing anyone wants is to be stranded without a car.
Once you realize that your local mechanic will not only get your vehicle repaired or serviced faster, and for far less than what the dealer will charge, it makes sense to have your work done at My Mechanic.
We have ASE-Certified mechanics who know your vehicle inside and out. In fact, if they believe that a repair might be covered under warranty, we will tell you!
Put your trust in the experts at My Mechanic. We have two locations to serve you. One in Elmhurst on Butterfield Road, and the other in Clarendon Hills on Burlington Ave.
Call us today for an appointment. We will be happy to tell you about our very competitive prices.
Why not call today while you’re thinking about it? You’ll save some real money compared to the dealer and enjoy some of the friendliest service in town.
