Considering The Options When Your Car Is Not Working Properly
Even if you are able to do some of the work on your car yourself, there is going to come a time when you need to go to an auto mechanic to have it repaired. The question is, who do you take it to? You have the option of going to the car dealership, a franchised repair shop, or the local mechanic to have the work done. Deciding which way to go is often the problem. Here are a few things to consider when making your choice.
Dealership
If your car is still under warranty, and the problem involves a part that is covered, you should definitely go there. This will cost you nothing. However, not all parts and systems are included in the warranty and you will end up paying more here than at the other places. If what is wrong is not covered by the warranty, you may still want to go to the dealer if you have a newer model that has some new type of technology or parts. They may be the only place that has the parts and tools to fix the problem. In addition, dealerships almost always require that the mechanics are certified.
Franchised Repair Shops
A franchised repair shop is one that is a big chain. Many of these are for specific problems, such as oil changes, tune-up, or exhaust systems. Some are also parts stores where you can buy the parts and do the work yourself. These establishments often have great deals on their specialties. While not necessarily all the mechanics working in the shop are certified, they have been trained to do the jobs they are allowed to do. They have a lot of business and get a lot of experience. In addition, some of these businesses will do a diagnostic on the vehicle for a small fee or at no cost. If you want to know what is wrong, and then decide where to take the vehicle, this is often a good place to start.
Local Mechanic Shops
While a local shop may not have all the latest equipment a dealership will have, they can still receive the bulletins from car manufacturers about anything that is new or problematic. They also don't have the high overhead to pay for. They might not offer the low-price deals franchised shops offer, but for repairs outside the franchise's specialties, they usually cost less. The important thing when going to one of these shops is to talk to people who have dealt with them in the past. In fact, most of a local shop's business comes from recommendations. They may or may not be certified. However, if you know of people who have gone there, and found the work to be good, you will probably find the same. In addition, the owners and mechanics are usually available to talk with you, something you won't find in the other shops where you deal with a shop manager of some type.
The bottom line is to go with a reputable car mechanic, who charges a reasonable price. Take advantage of you warranty, make sure any maintenance requirements are kept up to date, and with any luck you won't have to worry about having major repairs until it is time to trade the vehicle in for a newer model.
To learn more, contact a company like Import Automotive.
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