When to go to the dealer or the mechanic?

You’re paying them to learn about your car.” If you can’t find a specialist in area, off to the dealer. Problem When you sell your car, you worry that buyers will balk at non-dealer service records. Verdict: Lean toward the dealer. “If your car is new and under warranty,” Prosser says, “go to the dealer.”

Which is better a car dealership or an independent mechanic?

It’s simple math: More service bays, more technicians, and more tools lead to more work done every day. Dealerships are also more likely to have the parts needed already on hand, whereas you might have to wait for parts if you go to an independent mechanic.

What do you need to know about a car mechanic?

A good car mechanic will explain repair phases and give you choices. Usually in this business, the only thing that’s certified is that someone owned the car before you. Very little ever gets done on these types of cars. Here are some things you should know if you’re considering buying a car online.

How does the service department work at a car dealership?

The service department is the real money-earner in a dealership, so service advisors and technicians are encouraged to find repairs. Many people don’t know it, but your service advisor gets a commission on your repairs. The more you spend, the more your service advisor takes home in his/her paycheck.

What makes a car dealer a good mechanic?

Dealership mechanics are specialists who have been trained by the manufacturer. They’re the first to receive updates on recalls and technical service bulletins, and they typically work on only one make of vehicle. Whatever problem you have, a dealership mechanic has probably already seen it—and fixed it—many times.

Do you have to go to the mechanic every time your car has a check engine light?

There is a little known fact that the entire automotive repair industry doesn’t want you to know: you don’t need to have costly repairs done every time the check engine light comes on. There are a decent number of these DTCs that don’t require any repairs.

What makes a good mechanic or repair center?

In all of my years in the field, I’ve always prided myself on several things: professionalism, customer service, accurate diagnosis, and compassion towards my customers’ financial situation, to name a few. Unfortunately, not all professional mechanics and repair center owner/operators are created equal.

What makes auto mechanics cheat or push unnecessary repairs?

What drives mechanics to cheat or push unnecessary repairs, Joe said, is the tiny profit margin at many repair shops. Most mechanics are honest, he said, but many are pressured by their bosses to perform unnecessary work. “The shop has to stay in business,” Joe said. “There are pressures to do things that maybe you wouldn’t do normally.”

Can a mechanic be sued for non-existent repairs?

Not to mention you shouldn’t be charged for non-existent or ineffective auto repairs. If a mechanic improperly installs a part, disables a safety device, otherwise fails to make adequate repairs to your vehicle, you may have a valid lawsuit.

What happens when a dealer can’t diagnose a problem?

When you take the car to the dealership and explain your problem, you are met with questions and doubt. The mechanic takes the car to diagnose the problem and tells you he cannot find anything wrong with it. The dealer may say that there is a “failure to duplicate” the problem and you are left hanging. Why does this happen and what can you do?

What to do if a mechanic Cant fix your car?

If you have not fixed a car by now, its time to break out the old repair manual. Depending on what the problem is, VW has several different resources available. Standard repair manual. ~ This is the (online) book that has information to fix our cars.

Where can I get a mechanic to work on my car?

Because dealers’ stiff rates and by-the-book approach can drive customers straight to a local independent specialist. Alan Prosser, owner of Alan Auto Volvo Service in Portland, Maine, can attest.

How to choose the best mechanic for your car?

“Good mechanics know when they are out of their league and will give you alternatives,” Prosser says. Dealers and mechanics consult with each other, so you might end up with a referral to the best expert for that particular problem. • Join an online forum for your make and, ideally, specific model and ask for shop recommendations.

How many loaners does a car mechanic have?

“After the flat-rate system, rushed jobs are perhaps the greatest contributor to crappy work in our industry, so we set it up so we can take our time,” Prosser says. “We keep at least five loaners available for customers.”

Can you take a car to another dealer?

OK, so you’ve gotten nowhere with this dealership, you may want to take the car to another dealer, though this might be a bit inconvenient, especially if the distance to other dealer is great.

When does a car dealer make things worse?

If your car has lots of problems, the dealer’s mechanic might actually be making things worse when trying to find the cause of other problems. If a “new” problem occurs immediately after your car was serviced, there’s a good chance it was the mechanic’s fault.

When do you know it’s the mechanic’s fault?

If a “new” problem occurs immediately after your car was serviced, there’s a good chance it was the mechanic’s fault. Some examples include: Brake noises after a brake job, overheating after the radiator was flushed, shifting problems after the transmission fluid was changed, and fluid leaks after any service.

What to do if you have a dispute with a car dealer?

Most manufacturers track issues with a computer network shared between dealers, and your VIN will reveal where and when a problem was first reported to a service department. This can be very handy if you have to go up the chain to the zone manager, or manufacturers warranty customer service help department.

When to go to the dealer or the mechanic?