Third-Party or Dealearship Which Service Partner Should You Choose for Your Car?
Highlights
- Your service interval is actually set by the manufacturer of the car.
- Your cars handbook must contain a servicing schedule for your car.
- There can be variations in the time period between 2 services of the car.
Servicing your car is a duty that you should follow with utmost care. Without servicing, the car starts showing signs of various problems. These can be horns that do not work properly or an imbalance in the gear system. There are two types of service partners that you can get for the car – 3rd party or dealership servicing, and you must choose the one which you think is the most suitable for you.
Dealerships are verified brand companies that are tasked with servicing your car at regular intervals. They generally have factory-experienced technicians who service the car for you and make it optimized for you.
Third-Party Servicing
These are generally local servicing companies that provide servicing for your car.
Pricing
One of the main reasons why several people choose third-party servicing is affordability. Most third-party workshops charge lower prices for their services as compared to dealerships, as they have fewer overheads. But on the downside, the equipment available with third-party workshops might not exactly be of international standards and hence unsuitable for high-end cars.
On the other hand, dealerships are expensive than third-party options since they hire only professionally trained mechanics who are authorized by the brand. Moreover, dealerships have the latest equipment, which is designed to scan and repair the car for any type of issues and offer an international-level experience.
Safety
Dealerships follow all the government-mandated guidelines. You can leave your car in the hands of a dealership without any worries regarding anything going missing. Moreover, you can get a warranty period after service, which offers a much-needed safety net.
In the case of third-party servicing, there is no certainty whether you'll get a warranty or not. Even if you get a verbal assurance from the service provider, it might not hold ground if you have a complaint with the service at a later date. Moreover, they might not have all the necessary safety precautions in place, creating a hassle for you. But if you have a long-term relationship with a third-party service provider, you are unlikely to have any complaints.
Quality
If there is an off-brand part that has been fitted as a replacement, you might get in trouble. Moreover, the quality of the car is compromised, and the manufacturer might refuse to honor the warranty.
Dealerships have factory-trained technicians and use company-approved parts only, which ensures that your car's performance will not be compromised. Moreover, you get a proper invoice and warranty against any parts that have been used by the dealership.
When it comes to third-party servicing, you must remain vigilant and should either source the replacement parts yourself or otherwise insist on checking the part physically to ensure that only genuine parts are being fitted in your car. Some effort in this regard can certainly help you get genuine parts and that too at a lower price.
Availability and reputation
Third-party servicing can be a good option, and in many cases, these service providers might match the dealerships in terms of quality and service. If you have verified and trustworthy third-party servicing companies whom you can trust, you may certainly opt for taking their service.
Dealerships are backed by a trusted brand name, which is why they are naturally trusted by people. They are considered a safer option, although they may be slightly expensive. But in the end, it comes down to your budget and preferences.