What Is An Independent Garage? On the other hand, independent garage are the service centres that are not affiliated with the manufacturer but still provide the same service, often at a lower cost.
Can an independent garage service my car? Servicing your car at an independent garage won’t invalidate a manufacturer warranty, as long as you follow our advice. If you choose to get your car serviced at an independent garage while it’s in its warranty period, pay attention to the details – and learn from the story of reader Rob MacKay.
How does a dealership service department differ from an independent garage? Answer: Independent shops may be able to complete repairs using fewer steps, saving on labor hours, whereas the dealership mechanic is bound to follow the repair guidelines mandated by the manufacturer.
Can a BMW be serviced anywhere? Well, the short answer is: yes, you can take your BMW to any mechanic you want for service and oil changes.
What Is An Independent Garage? – Related Questions
Is it illegal to not service your car?
FALSE: “Servicing your vehicle is a legal requirement”
Is it cheaper to go to a dealership or mechanic?
The best thing an automotive cheapskate with an old car can do is find an honest independent mechanic. Plus, indie mechanics are almost always cheaper than the dealership (although if they don’t know what they’re doing, obviously they can be more expensive because you’ll have to re-fix whatever they screwed up).
Do dealers charge more for repairs?
Auto repair shops fix all kinds of brands which makes the labor costs a little bit lower. However, the labor costs of getting your car fixed at a dealership is higher because their technicians are specialists. In addition, dealerships pay higher salaries for manufacturer-trained and highly experienced technicians.
How do I choose a mechanic?
How to find a great car mechanic
Find a shop for your brand of car. Many garages specialize in certain makes.
Ask your family and friends.
Search the Internet.
Check for certification.
Check the Better Business Bureau.
Give the shop a tryout.
Ask about warranties.
Make sure the shop is convenient.
Is it better to go to dealer for oil change?
Generally speaking, though, it shouldn’t matter much where you get your oil changed. As long as you keep your receipts and perform oil changes at recommended intervals, you won’t void your warranty if you go to an independent shop — and you might save some time and a little money.
Is it better to work at a dealership or independent shop?
Also independent shops have a better work environment for the most part and some pay hourly. You’ll also probably have a higher tool investment because of the variety of things you’re working on and you won’t have access to factory specialty tools like you would at the dealer.
Do dealerships wash cars after service?
If you buy a new or used car, the dealership will never charge you for washing it. In fact, most dealers will even offer to wash your car when you get an oil change done, however, you should always refuse it.
Is it better to buy used car from authorized dealer?
Advantages of Buying a Used Car From a Dealer
Should you buy a car from a used car lot?
There’s only one real advantage to buying from a consignment lot rather than going directly to the person who owns the car: The lot will be able to finance the purchase. Interest rates, however, will usually be higher. The prices will be higher, too, since there’s a middleman involved.
How do small car dealers make money?
It’s typically 1% or 2% of either the invoice or the sticker price of the car. On a $20,000 car, a holdback represents $200 to $400. The holdback allows dealers to sell a car at invoice price, or even below invoice, but still receive money to cover the costs of doing business (advertising, sales commissions, etc.).
Is it really expensive to maintain a BMW?
According to their data, BMWs are the most expensive make to maintain by far, with a 10-year cost of $17,800. They found luxury brands are generally the most expensive to own over the long haul, but far less flashy vehicles ranked high too—including a few brands that have been retired since the data was compiled.
How much does BMW charge for an oil change?
If you have a BMW: Depending on your model and the area you live in, BMW oil change cost will vary, but it can cost over $100 for a luxury vehicle oil change, as many BMW Centers will use the specially-designed Original BMW Engine Oil for better performance.
Can I change my own oil in a BMW?
Regular oil changes are one of the most important things to keep your BMW engine healthy. Changing the engine oil on a BMW is easy, and most DIYers can complete this job in less than one hour.
What happens if you never service your car?
By not servicing your car you are likely to find that its performance may deteriorate. This may mean that you start to hear strange noises, have little problems with general running and lights start to pop up all over the dashboard.
Can a garage keep my car if I don’t pay?
Can a garage keep your car
How long does it take for a full car service?
A full car service takes longer than an MOT, but don’t worry; your car won’t be in the shop for weeks! In general, full car service time normally takes around 3 hours, assuming no significant issues are encountered, so you should normally have the car back the same day.
Should I fix my car at the dealership?
There the advantage definitely goes to the dealer. First, a dealer will perform repairs for free if your car is still under warranty. Small shops can offer warranties on service or repairs, but may not offer the same length of coverage or may cover only the parts or the labor, but not both.
