Auto Dealer or Car Maintenance Shop – Where to Go for Your Car Problem

by Neeta · September 20, 2018

As you have recently bought a car, your dealership and friends have advised you to repair and maintain it regularly. However, before you take it for repair or maintenance, you have to know the difference between these two. In your vehicle owner’s manual, you will find routine maintenance items as a part of the service schedule of the model. These instructions are given so that your vehicle can remain in top shape always. On the other hand, repairs are services that should be carried out to rectify a problem. So, you have to choose a shop according to your need.

You can take your car for the scheduled maintenance to any of the motoring and automobile dealers and you don’t have to take it to the one where you purchased it. Similarly you can take your car to an independent car repair shop or franchise, because they are often less costly than dealerships. That doesn’t affect your warranty coverage.

Your dealership has got mechanics in its service department that are specially trained, qualified and certified to fix all problems and needs, particular to your model. The shop too will be equipped with all the essential diagnostic tools. However, since maintenance tasks are quite basic, any professional vehicle maintenance shop should be able to do the required task.

When you reach your dealer or a maintenance shop for service, make sure they go through the latest technical service bulletins (TSBs) from the manufacturer. These bulletins are mainly guidelines on how to deal with common problems of a specific model. Usually an automaker will carry out TSB repairs without a charge, but you will have to approach a dealership to get the job done.

Car repairs can range from simple jobs like auto-body repair or brake job to more complicated ones like detecting an electronics system problem or overhauling a transmission. If your vehicle is still covered by the original warranty, approach a dealership and the manufacturer should pay for the repair. Also if your vehicle has been recalled or comes under a “service campaign”, then too you should approach your dealership as the manufacturer provides to rectify a problem in such a case. In case of an extended warranty, you will have to check its terms to make sure who should carry out the covered repairs.

If your car is out of warranty, the kind of problem should determine where to take it for repair. Common repairs can be performed by an independent reputable shop. But shops that are specialized in your car’s model probably have proper training, tools and latest information. Whether you should visit a specialized shop or the dealer can be decided by a good technician.

If your car is experiencing an issue with a system that’s unique to your model or manufacturer, particularly electronics, e.g. multi-function or navigation control system, consider taking the car to one of the motoring and automobile dealers. You will also have to take it to such a dealer for getting safety recall job done.

Finding a Great Automobile Mechanic

Getting a car mechanic you can trust for your vehicle is highly difficult. There is no specific quality that makes a great car repair shop. Still you can rely on some points like the following ones.

Find a Shop Specialized in Your Make of Car

You’ll find several garages that are specialized in particular makes. Their mechanics are likely to have the latest training and tools to deal with your problem.