Owning a car comes with many responsibilities from oil changes and parts replacement to finding and fixing mechanical problems. Luckily, vehicle owners in Burlingame, CA have many options when choosing a vehicle maintenance service providers. Many find it hard to choose between a dealer service center and an independent mechanic.
Here are some of the benefits of dealer maintenance over a local garage.
Technical Staff
A dealership takes time to hire and train specialists in their field. Sometimes, vehicle manufacturers help dealership mechanics to keep up with their latest vehicle technologies by sharing troubleshooting and repairing techniques. The mechanics at the dealership have great knowledge of the vehicles they see, having dealt with similar models before.
Vehicle manufacturers usually require the authorized dealership mechanics to be certified, making it easy to trust their expertise knowing they have been professionally trained to work on your specific vehicle.
Facilities
Dealer service centers have access to cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and repair tools thanks to their close connections with vehicle manufacturers. These connections provide insider information, like vehicle recalls and crucial service bulletins. The dealership gains the upper hand in serving these issues because they can stock up on the right equipment in advance.
Dealerships usually invest in larger facilities to accommodate many customers at once. Many opt for cleaner, more organized spaces complete with restrooms and customer waiting rooms. It allows the dealership to provide prompt service while offering a pleasant waiting experience to the vehicle owner.
Guarantees on the Work
Authorized dealer service centers can provide free repair services for vehicles under warranty. Some provide warranties on repairs done at their shop. Customers can drive in for free service if the repaired part fails within the service period.
Dealerships can also extend manufacturer-backed discounts for basic maintenance and repair services. Because dealerships observe the recommended service requirements, customers won't have to worry about voiding their warranties.
Customer Satisfaction
Dealerships often pay a steep price to be associated with a vehicle manufacturer. Part of the deal involves conforming to high customer service standards and better operational practices. Knowing what brand recognition means to them, most dealerships work hard to measure up to the required standards.
Some dealers conduct customer satisfaction surveys, which provide a good avenue for resolving complaints before they reach the manufacturer.
Recalls and Service Bulletins
Many dealer service centers maintain a registry of vehicle recalls and service bulletins, and it is one of the first checks performed when a car is sent in for service. Open recalls allow owners to return their cars for identified manufacturer defaults to be fixed free of charge. Technical service bulletins from the manufacturer share detailed repair procedures for peculiar problems.
Unaware of open recalls, California vehicle owners who visit independent garages may be paying for a service they would have gotten for free.
Parts Quality and Price
Most dealership repair centers provide only original equipment manufacturer(OEM) parts. OEM parts provide the same quality as the actual manufacturer's unit at a lower price point. Besides being specifically designed for particular vehicles, these parts have superb warranties.
Some dealerships provide free installation for OEM parts bought at their store. Dealers can offer low prices to customers because they get discounts from parts manufacturers by buying in bulk.
Price of Labor
Dealers have a better price advantage because they can offer many services under one roof for the same price point. Because they have better facilities and well-trained service staff, their prices are very competitive. And customers always have a chance to get their cars repaired free of charge for items still under warranty.
Trust Your Vehicle With Dealership Service Professionals
When a vehicle needs fixing, getting it to a trusted repair center ensures proper care and may save the owner thousands of dollars on repeat jobs. And vehicle owners do not have to worry about supporting local businesses. Even though they are linked with large manufacturers, most dealerships are usually franchised to local owners.
Putnam Volvo Cars Burlingame is a trusted Volvo dealership and dealer service center in Burlingame, CA. Contact us for personalized and expert maintenance of your vehicle.
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