Many offer free Wi-Fi, comfy chairs and sometimes even donuts in the waiting area. Shuttles or rideshare credit may also be available, making it easier to run errands or relax at home. Why not visit the showroom floor and take a few test drives? Those looking to save money will find that independent mechanics are usually more affordable than a dealership service center. This is especially true if you own a European car such as a BMW or Porsche , which can make service at a dealership cost-prohibitive.
Many independent shops specialize in specific brands and even vehicles. The same is true with bodywork, which many dealerships outsource to third parties. You should also confirm that they can source OEM parts and have them in stock when you bring your vehicle in. Like a doctor or dentist, a good relationship with your mechanic can go a long way.
Call them crossovers or CUVs — these practical vehicles come with comfortable savings. Intro Dealerships vs. How to Make the Most of the Dealership Is an independent mechanic the right choice?
What to Look for in an Independent Mechanic. Type: Car Ownership. Published: March 12, As an example would never go to a non-specialist for an oil change because my car only takes 0w synthetic and at the end of the day I don't know what crap they're pouring into my engine.
It could be OTS 10w conventional that they charge me the price of synthetic for. After all, anyone that doesn't do their own oil changes can't know the difference, right? Posted by: billb. My local Toyota dealership has been very, very good to me. Even through a new ownership.
Another local Dodge dealership large and now gone spawned some of these similar horror stories. Edited 1 time s. Posted by: hal. I'm a lucky guy - I have a good friend who is a toyota mechanic at a local dealer. Does work for me at cost for parts and half the labor rate - the dealer even lets him do these jobs in the shop on his day off. He is a great mechanic. Only does toyota, but knows every damn thing about every model made in the last 20 years. He insists that the entire crew is very conscientious and skilled.
I take his word for it. This keeps me humble when I work with someone that knows nothing about computers. I know how they feel - I know nothing about cars and am entirely in the hands of the repair guy. I know that unsettling feeling.. On a side note, DRR, what oil are you using? The local shop I mentioned above is running it and is going to post a blackstone report when it gets back.
Posted by: SteveO. I trust my Acura and Honda dealers. Even though I took in my Acura for an oil change and they wrecked it! Actually, someone took a garage corner too sharp and dinged one of the lower body panels. They promptly called me, apologized profusely, and replaced it. Also gave me some free service. Stuff happens! I have kept going to them with no other issues.
In all fairness, I wouldn't let your experience with one dealer paint your picture of all dealers. It does sound like that dealer tried to pull the same thing on someone else.
I would say something next time. It is not slander if you simply report what happened to you tell this to the other customer , and mention that you find it curious that the exact same thing happened to someone else at that dealer.
It may not even be intentional I do agree that going to an indie specialist is also a good idea. But I also take my wife's car to Firestone sometimes, too. I think it's about having good relationships with your vendors. Spend a few minutes learning names, it never hurts. I've found these dealers went to bat for me whenever I've had a mfr issue over the years. Posted by: davester. I think it's ridiculous to generalize in either direction.
Each dealer organization is different, the degree of quality control of the dealer service organization by each car maker varies, and independent mechanics are all over the map. All you can really say is YMMV. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
Quote davester I think it's ridiculous to generalize in either direction. Posted by: Mactel. If the car is under warranty I will use the dealership. Once it is out of warranty never again after a local nissan dealership tried to rip me off. Posted by: Grumpyguy. Under warranty, definitely the dealer.
No foul ups like the old days with GM where the problem was never fixed or made worse. Since , this GM dealer is quick, courteous, and fixes the very few problems I've had right the first time.
Posted by: Black. As many have said, it depends on the particular dealer. Tricks like the one mentioned in the OP have been the fodder of more than one well-researched and credible industry expose. There are unfortunately independents that make a routine practice out of such scams as well. In general I'd trust a dealer more to use the right parts, or not to leave important vacuum hoses hanging off, or leave broken off bolts from not knowing how much torque is called for.
I remember when I was a kid , my Dad was so upset at the Chevy dealer that I thought he was going to punch the service manager and my dad was the most easiest going guy you'd want to meet.
They dented the car and put the same broken part back on and called it fixed. But my dad had taken a Polaroid the day before taking the car in no damage and had marked the part with marker on the bottom of it. Once the dealer was confronted with that, they fixed the car quickly.
Since then, I think GM must have initiated a program to fix many of their dealers. Everyone I've dealt with has been professional and fixed the problem the first time.
Though I'm sure there are still plenty of shady dealers left out there. One bad one I did have involved a T-Bird. Great looking car. Quality wise, it was a POS. What made it worse was that the dealer I bought it from couldn't fix anything right or they would say they couldn't find the problem. Literally, I would have to take their mechanic by the hand and almost shove his head up against the broken part.
Finally I took the car to a different Ford dealer who at least tried to work with me. Like I said, GM dealers have been a pleasant surprise or maybe I've just been lucky that none of my cars has needed any major servicing. Bottom line, research the problem, ask a lot of questions. If the guy is shady, that will tend to make them think twice and they might look for an easier mark.
Posted by: lafinfil. I've had the same independent mechanic for over 25 years and was referred to him by a friend. In turn I have referred many of my friends and family to him. I know mine is not perfect, but we do a pretty good job, and have a lot of techs that are TOP notch dudes. But it is this part, that leaves me shaking my head. Odds are you would not. Now I would totally work on cars if I was not getting paid.
I enjoy it. But I would not go to work for someone else, for free. The argument will never end. Customers say dealers will rip you off. The DIYers say they do it cheaper themselves. Folks, here is a news flash. It totally just depends. There ARE dealers and indy shops that will rob you blind. There are customers that will lie straight to my face.
I am actually dealing with that right now. The DIYer will come in and whine about how much I will be ripping him off, before I ever look at the car! I think it is easy to get caught up in thinking you will always get ripped off at the dealer. There are bad techs out there. I am willing to bet that everyone knows someone that has felt ripped off. Heck, I have seen it happen! People forget that we have to buy stuff and pay for services too. So what is the solution, consider this list.
It kinda took a weird turn there at the end. I am not really sure what happened. Meh, its cool, I hope that you guys can use some of the tips listed above.
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