Should I Take My Car to a Dealer or an Auto Repair Shop?
There’s an ongoing debate between car owners whether auto repair shops or car dealerships are the best option for repair services. While half of car owners argue that dealerships are the best choice, the other half swear that auto shops are the only correct answer. However, the truth is a little more complicated. Auto shops and dealerships both come with positives and negatives that can affect your decision. When repairing your car or performing maintenance, the best option depends on your personal preference.
Differences Between Car Dealerships and Auto Repair Shops
Before taking your car to get repaired, it’s important to learn the differences between car dealerships and auto repair shops. While both places can repair your car, your experience could vary greatly depending on your expectations. The main differences between auto shops and car dealerships include the price, the staff’s experience levels, and the car’s parts.
Price: When it comes to pricing, auto shops are less expensive than dealerships. Dealerships often cost more and attempt to justify their higher prices by promoting a more knowledgeable staff, which isn’t always the case. For small repairs or customers that are looking to save some money, auto shops are a popular choice since the price is often more affordable.
Experience: When choosing between an auto shop and a dealership, people often wonder which choice has more knowledge and experience fixing cars. Everyone wants their vehicle fixed by an expert, so this is often a deciding factor for new customers. Luckily, mechanics at both options are qualified to repair your car. The main difference is that dealerships often focus more on the specific cars that they sell, while auto shops have experience with a wider range of vehicles. If you want a mechanic that only works on your type of vehicle, then a dealership would be a great choice. If you want someone with a broader knowledge of all vehicles, then an auto shop also has trained mechanics that can work on your car.
Parts: There’s nothing worse than visiting a mechanic and realizing they don’t have the parts to fix your car. When choosing where to repair your car, it’s important to know if they’ll even have the parts to repair your car. Since car dealerships focus on specific vehicles, they’re more likely to have unique parts. On the other hand, auto shops deal with a variety of different vehicles, so they’ll have most of the common parts needed for repairs. Auto shops are also capable of ordering specialty parts if given enough time.
Get The Best Service On Your First Visit
While auto repair shops and car dealerships both have benefits, it’s entirely your choice where to take your car. Dealerships may have more knowledge about a particular car, but auto shops are often less expensive. At the end of the day, you’ll have to do some research into local dealerships and auto shops to decide which option works best for you. At Poston Motor Co., we have certified technicians and deliver fast and affordable auto repairs in Cumming, GA. Give us a call today to schedule an automotive service!