Local Garage Vs Authorized Service Centre: Which One To Choose?

If you have a problem with your car and need it serviced, which of these two options should you choose: a local garage or an authorised service centre? This is a natural question that arises in the minds of all car owners while exploring the automotive industry Australia. Most car owners are unsure whether to go to professional service centres or their neighbourhood mechanic will be able to fix their problem. Going to a professional car repair service will give you peace of mind, whereas going to a local car mechanic will be much easier on your wallet. People have a lot of thoughts, speculations, and expectations when choosing a car service centre. But here is some good news, this article will solve all your doubts. So, continue reading!

Why You Should Choose An Authorised Service Centre?

#1 Claim Your Warranty

If your vehicle is still under warranty, you can reach out to an authorised service centre without hesitation. This is the best thing you can do in the given situation.

#2 The Challenge Of The Most Recent Technology

Technology keeps on getting updated over time and If you take your vehicle to an authorised service centre, you can be assured of receiving quality service. The local mechanic may or may not have the necessary knowledge of these advanced systems, depending on the situation.

#3 Advantage In Resale

There are a number of advantages to having your car serviced at an authorised facility. When you take your car to an authorised service centre, you can create an explicit service history for it, which is beneficial when it comes time to sell it, especially in the case of high-end vehicles. Example: If you have your car serviced at an authorised centre until it has travelled 80,000 kilometres and then have it serviced at a local workshop, the prospective buyer will not be able to verify the service history. It is highly recommended that you take your premium vehicle to a service centre that has been approved by the manufacturer.

Why You Should Choose A Local Garage?

#1 Get Customized Services According To Your Needs

If there is a well-known workshop in your area, which specialises in specific areas such as repaint jobs, you can go for it. This will ensure that you are taking customized services at affordable prices.

#2 Advantage Of Labor

Visiting an independent workshop for routine services that do not necessitate any complex work will allow you to save a significant amount of money. But you must ensure that all spare parts, oil and filters are genuine before using the vehicle. One of their most significant advantages is the lower cost of labour. Even if genuine spares are used, the cost of parts and oil will remain the same, but the labour charges will be significantly lower than those charged by authorised service centres.

#3 Warranty Is Not A Problem

When it comes to getting your car serviced or repaired, independent workshops or local garages can be good alternatives. It is possible that not all authorised service centres are the same in their offerings. There is, of course, standardisation in certain areas, but the quality of service may vary from one location to another. Furthermore, some people believe that having the car serviced at an independent workshop will cause the warranty to expire prematurely. This is a fallacy. While your brand-new car is still under warranty, you can get basic services like an oil change and a filter change from an independent workshop. As a result, you have a variety of options for where you want to have your car serviced.

#4 Specialisations Aplenty

There are numerous options for getting your car serviced in the aftermarket today. It is possible to find independent workshops that only work on high-end vehicles such as BMW and Audi. There are also multi-brand car service centres as well as those that specialise in a single brand of automobile. Consequently, if you require basic maintenance services such as oil and filter changes, washing and polishing, you should consider using an independent workshop.

Summing Up

After having a look at the advantages and disadvantages of a local garage and an authorised service centre, we now know for a fact that both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. A car owner should decide whether to visit a local garage mechanic or seek professional services at an authorized service centre based on the time and circumstances. Consider the implications before making a decision. Before having your car serviced or repaired, you must obtain an estimate and itemize it in writing first. This will assist you in determining the costs of individual services and determining whether or not to include discretionary services.