Reasons to Consider Auto Repair from Your Local Dealership

Many people are under the impression that getting auto repair from a car dealership is more expensive than usual. In many cases, it can be, but there are also some advantages of going this route. Learn some typical reasons that you should at least give your local dealership a chance to work on your car.

The first thing to be aware of is that a dealer who sells cars like yours is likely to be an expert on them. Many vehicles have a few details that make them unique, and an auto repair shop that just services all types of cars may not have the time or interest in taking note of the intricacies that set your vehicle apart from others. A dealer, though, should know them all. Even if the model is rather new, the staff has to get to know the ins and outs of it pretty fast if anyone wants to make a sale, and this goes for the service department, too. Of course, the simple fact that the service department employees spend their days working on many of the same car types means that they learn the details pretty fast. Plus, they should be up-to-date on the latest recalls, so you can be sure that they will not miss anything and will immediately let you know of any updates from the vehicle's manufacturer.

Many dealerships also offer discounts when you use their auto repair services after purchasing a car from them. For example, they may send you direct mail with coupons for a free or discounted oil change, at least when you pay for other repairs. This is especially true if you come in regularly, as they tend to want to keep the customers who come in frequently, so you can usually expect some discounts. You should at least give your local dealer a chance to give you a quote, and if you do not get any price breaks, you can always go elsewhere.

If you get a warranty for your vehicle, you will find that you typically have to bring the car back the dealership to get it serviced when something breaks. In many cases, you have to pay a deductible before the repairs are free, but you can usually get this waived when you return to the dealership from which you bought the automobile. Ask about this kind of offer if you are unsure, as you could save $50 or more this way, depending on your deductible.

Sometimes, auto repair from the dealer is not the best route for you, but you will never know until you give it a chance. You should call the location from which you purchased the automobile and find out if there are any good deals for people who bought vehicles from there. If not, you can just skip this option and collect some quotes from other mechanics near your house. However, the possibility of saving hundreds of dollars, or maybe more, means you should give this a try first.