Do I Have To Get My Car Serviced At The Dealership To Keep Warranty?

xi Nov Blog

Do You lot Really Have To Service Your Automobile At The Dealership?

Ane of the biggest myths in the automotive industry is that your warranty will exist void if you don't take your automobile to the dealership. It's non truthful. The law is that equally long as a licensed repairer services your car according to your machine'southward logbook, your warranty will not be impacted whatsoever.

At present that we have that myth out of the way, instead of asking "exercise I have to service my auto at the dealership" you lot tin ask whether yous really want to service your car at the dealership. Below nosotros've taken a deep swoop into the pro'due south, con'south and myths of dealership servicing and repairs so you tin can make that choice yourself.

THE PRO'Due south

– Dealerships are usually the experts in the make and model of your car as they only deal with one specific brand.
– They have access to the electronic scan tools specific to your make of vehicle.
– Usually they will offering a loan automobile available while your car is on the road. Depending on how decorated your dealership is though, you might have to wait upwardly to two months before one actually becomes available.

THE CONS

– Usually the nigh expensive option.
– A bones service will still take a whole day. Typically yous will accept to drop your car off at 8am and pick information technology upwards at 5pm. That's a whole day with your car off the route. Depending on the work required, this tin often extend to two days and beyond.
– Dealerships are notorious for upsells (they aren't nicknamed 'stealerships' for aught) — more so than your local workshop. Additive companies provide the service advisers commissions for selling y'all flushes you don't demand. They will present you with a chore card with all of these extras pre-printed, leading y'all to believe your car needs information technology. Always say no.
– Well-nigh dealerships will accept transport, but they're limited to times and destinations.
– You will likely never talk to the mechanic who actually fixes your auto. All of your dealings volition exist with a receptionist and service adviser, so all data relayed is second hand.

THE MYTHS

- – Your warranty volition exist void.

Every bit I mentioned earlier, dealerships like you to recollect that your automobile must be returned to the dealership for servicing to keep your warranty intact. The fact is this is not true. As long equally a licensed repairer services your automobile according to your auto'south logbook, your warranty will not be impacted.

– 'Fixed-cost' and 'free' servicing reduces your servicing price. Not true. Dealerships make the bulk of their money from servicing and repairs (not new car sales), meaning they need to make money from your 'fixed' or 'gratuitous' service packages. Oftentimes standard items such as batteries, tyres, bike alignments and other repairs aren't included and the dealership volition as well upsell you unnecessary things like air-conditioning services and injection flushes.
– In-machine software is updated at every service. While only the dealer can update manufacturer-installed software (such every bit GPS), the reality is software updates happen rarely – certainly a lot less oftentimes than your services. And so ask your dealer what updates accept happened since your last service. If it'due south aught significant, then experience costless to store effectually for a better price.
– Your vehicle is beingness recalled. Supposed 'vehicle recalls' are becoming more and more common — even so cars are becoming safer with improved technology. Manufacturers have begun using minor problems as a reason for a "remember" to get a client dorsum in. At this point they will upsell you a service and other repairs. It'due south simply a marketing tactic dealerships employ to end customer leakage. If you lot do get a recall, by all means get information technology fixed. But y'all don't have to agree to actress paid work. Feel free to become to your regular mechanic or shop around for a ameliorate price.

If yous're yet questioning "practise I have to service my automobile at the dealership?" In short, the answer is: no yous definitely do not. Whether you still choose to or not is upward to you lot. Personally, I observe them overpriced and much too quick to jump on an upsell. I hate not being able to speak to the mechanic who'southward actually working on my machine and just can't go over the inefficiency of losing my vehicle for a whole mean solar day. If y'all decide to ditch the dealership and need a new mechanic, check out this guide on How to notice a good mechanic.