Where should I have my car serviced?

Navigating the world of car maintenance and repair can be tricky. In particular, you may be wondering, “Should I have my car serviced by a dealer or a mechanic?” Here are some important considerations to help you decide if a dealership or mechanic is right for you.

Dealer prices compared to mechanic prices

While they may seem like a natural option for visiting service centers, dealerships often charge extra for the same services that a mechanic offers more affordable. In the same way that dealerships make money by charging you as much as possible to buy your car, they make money by charging you as much as they can for the services of your car.

However, the mechanic system works differently from the dealer system. Mechanics with excellent service and affordable prices will attract loyal customers, which keeps their business going. Therefore, unlike dealerships, mechanics offer affordable prices. This means that if you are looking for affordable prices, a mechanic is probably the best option for you.

Warranty agreements

Often dealerships are limited by their manufacturers or parent companies in the warranties they can offer. This means limited protection in areas of service that you pay so much for. However, mechanics has no such restrictions. Mechanics are often much more free to enter into warranty agreements that they believe will benefit you and your vehicle the most.

This means mechanics can offer generous warranties that will protect your investment and demonstrate a level of confidence in their automotive services. For example, you can find mechanics who offer up to 3 years/36,000 miles of warranty on their automotive services. This means you can increase your savings with lower initial costs and extended protection for your vehicle's service areas.

Do you have a dealer service agreement?

If the dealership offers a free oil change or tire swap, it may seem like the most affordable option to keep bringing your car to the dealership for service. However, it is important to read the intricacies of these contracts as you may not get as good a deal as you might think.

• The first thing to pay attention to is a period of time for which you are eligible for vehicle service. If your free or reduced service period has ended, you may be paying significantly more than a mechanic's price for services at your dealership.
• Next, check that type of service included in your service agreement with the dealer. You can get a free oil change from the dealer, but you will be charged exorbitant prices for dealer inspections, tire changes, repairs, or other vehicle maintenance services.
• Finally, check restrictions on your contract. Dealerships sometimes take advantage of customers by exploiting contract loopholes. For example, there is a possibility that if you miss one of your scheduled service center visits, you may not be able to receive a discount on a future visit.

Mechanical Parts vs. Dealer Parts

Dealerships are often tied to certain brands of parts specified by the manufacturer, which may be more expensive in price but not necessarily superior in quality. However, mechanics are free to partner with any brand that offers high quality and affordability. If you're just looking for a high quality part that will get your car back to pristine condition, a visit to a mechanic is often an equally effective and more affordable option.

Where to buy tires: prices from a dealer or from a mechanic

When it comes to tires, drivers tend to think that the dealership is the only place to get the special tires their cars need. This is why dealers can often inflate the prices of their tires. What dealers don't want you to know is that you can often find the same tires (or better) at a mechanic's shop or tire specialist for a much lower price. You can even find a tire shop with a best price guarantee. They'll take your lowest tire rating from a dealer or competitor and up it by 10% so you know you're getting the best price for your new tires.

Dealer convenience

Vehicle maintenance contracts and other benefits that dealerships can offer can be very rewarding…if you are within easy reach of the dealership. If the cost and hassle of going to the dealership every time you need an oil change outweighs the benefits of these deals, a mechanic might be the smarter option for you. Look for a network of mechanics that has multiple trusted locations so you can get the service you need, no matter where your daily schedule takes you.

Mechanic next to me

Chapel Hill Tire experts are on hand to offer the best dealer pricing, maintenance costs and overall customer experience. Book an appointment with our Chapel Hill Tire Specialists to service your next vehicle and enjoy our benefits. coupon for your first visit today!

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