Having to keep up with maintenance and repairs is an unavoidable part of owning a vehicle, but should you go to a main dealership, or an independent garage to do it? In this article we’ll be explaining why many car owners in Worcester are choosing to go with an independent specialist, and why you should be considering it too.
Advantages of Independent Garages over Dealerships
- Lower labour costs
- More flexibility with parts
- A more personalised service
Let’s take a look at each of these reasons in a bit more detail.
Independent Garages Can Be Cheaper Than Dealerships
It will likely come as no surprise that the main reason why many car owners choose independent garages instead of main dealers to both repair and service their vehicles, is because they offer better value for money.
Dealership service centres have inflated prices due to their high overheads such as higher labour rates and expensive showrooms. This offers no benefit to the car owner, and instead means they’re paying extra for the dealership’s high running costs when they take their car in for a service.
Instead, with an independent garage, the price of the service can often be less than the cost compared to a main dealer. It’s not uncommon to pay less for the same service, and in some cases an even more thorough service, when choosing an independent garage. Hence many car owners are choosing to take advantage of this significant cost saving.
More Flexibility with Parts
When choosing a main dealership for servicing and repairs, they will only ever use OEM parts (original equipment manufacturer). These parts are often very expensive and give the customer very little flexibility to make a saving.
Instead, with an independent specialist garage you can get the choice between OEM parts and a high-quality alternative. In some cases, the alternative parts actually offer better performance and durability compared to OEM parts but with the added benefit of costing less.
It’s important to note though, that if your vehicle is currently under a manufacturer’s warranty, then you’ll need to get it serviced with OEM parts to maintain your cover. Many independent garages will still be able to supply and fit OEM parts if your car is still under warranty, and you can still take advantage of the lower labour costs to still make a saving.
Independent Garages Offer a Personal Touch
Main dealer service centres offer a very rigid and sterile experience. You get very little flexibility in terms of drop-off times, and you often never even see, let alone speak to the technician that has worked on your vehicle.
Instead with an independent garage, you get a much more personal approach. The technician will be able to discuss your vehicle and offer more technical expertise to keep it running smoothly.
You’ll also still get all the important documentation and service stamps to help preserve the resale value of your car.
Choosing the Right Garage in Worcester
Every garage is different, and choosing the right one to work on your car is crucial. You need to find a garage with experienced mechanics who use genuine or high-quality parts to make sure your car is looked after properly.
Here at Recharged Automotive in Worcester, we specialise in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Seat, but are more than comfortable working on vehicles of any brand. With over 30 years of experience, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands.
Our highly-trained technicians can work on petrol, diesel and electric vehicles, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing excellent customer service. We also offer out of hours drop-off and collection services, and will always keep you in the loop at every stage.
Get in touch by calling 01905 458156 to discuss your vehicle’s requirements.