As a responsible driver, you want to take care of your vehicle to ensure it provides you with reliable transportation. One choice you need to make is deciding where to take your car for service, whether it be maintenance, warranty work or repairs. The right choice can make all the difference when it comes to a fast turnaround time and quality work.
If your car is still under warranty and fresh off the assembly line, it’s always best to take it to the dealership. Not only does this give you access to the best technicians, but it also ensures you remain compliant with all of the terms.
The Lemon Pros help steer Californian consumers in the right direction, whether it’s related to unsuccessful car repairs or filing a claim against a dealership. Our practice area is focused on lemon claims, but we give guidance on so much more. Call us today for your free consultation.
In this comprehensive post, we cover the reasons why you should use your dealership service department for repairs on today’s cars and explain more about warranty service. We also explain the benefits of the dealership over the independent mechanic and outline what you should do when you have a problem with the dealer’s service department.
Your local dealership offers a one-stop shop for many of your car service needs. The dealership provides scheduled maintenance appointments, including the typical oil change, tire rotation and brake pad replacement. Additionally, dealerships provide warranty work free to the driver and can aid in other diagnostic tasks.
To have the car serviced at the dealership means that the vehicle is being looked at by certified technicians who understand that make and model. These technicians also receive access to specialized tools that the local mechanic may not have.
While the local independent mechanic may just be a small operation, the dealership is much larger. There’s typically a service manager overseeing the operations and technicians of all levels available.
It’s critical to evaluate the available dealership services and benefits of using the local dealership before making your decision. These advantages must be weighed against the cons to determine what’s best in your situation.
Consider these vital benefits of using your dealership service center:
Dealer service technicians receive manufacturer-specific certifications, making them experts on your car type. They are going to have extensive training about the inner workings of the car, as well as access to technical bulletins from the manufacturer. Many car dealerships are also required to provide ongoing training for the technicians, keeping them up-to-date on the latest developments.
Dealerships stick to using OEM parts, whenever possible. The original equipment manufacturer or OEM part simply means that the component being replaced is going to be exactly the same as the one that was installed at the factory. These same parts are slightly more expensive than aftermarket parts, but you know that they operate as intended and fit perfectly. OEM parts are a must if you want to keep your warranty coverage, especially when dealing with parts such as the oil filter and other maintenance components.
The service tech at the dealership provides free repairs under the factory warranty. You won’t need to pay anything out of pocket for these repairs. Plus, the manufacturer's warranty isn’t voided in any way. With warranty coverage, the dealership may also provide you with a loaner car during the repair.
Dealers are going to receive up-to-date technical service bulletins. Therefore, the technicians know when there’s a problem which may help provide faster auto repairs. Any necessary software updates are also easy to get since the dealership has a direct link with the manufacturer.
Whether you are having routine maintenance performed or need a major repair, the dealership tends to provide the best customer service and a consistent level of care. While there are exceptions to the rule, most dealerships are held to a high standard by the manufacturer. Plus, your service records are tied to the vehicle history, allowing future buyers to see that the car was well taken care of.
Not every aspect of working with the dealership is good. You must also consider some minor disadvantages.
The dealership charges a premium cost, mostly because of how trained the technicians are and the more comprehensive tools that are used. The independent mechanic may help you save money, for hourly labor and the parts markup, but they may not have the knowledge and skill to figure out tougher problems.
People on a tight budget may not be able to afford to go to the dealership for every appointment, which is completely understandable. In this case, it may be best to choose the smaller shop for routine maintenance and save the dealership for times of more importance.
There could be some scheduling difficulties at the dealership, as they tend to get booked up for days or weeks at a time. For the typical cabin air filter or oil change, it may be possible to stop in without scheduling, but other services may require appointments in advance. There could also be additional time to finish the job. As an example, how long does it take for a dealership to replace an engine? On average, the dealership will need ten to 12 hours to replace the engine. The technician working on that job can’t get to the next vehicle until that one is done. On the other hand, the small shop may also have extended wait times if it doesn’t employ enough mechanics.
You aren’t going to be able to negotiate a price with the dealership. The prices are set in stone through dealership policies and the work is done through strict procedures. If you want to get a deal or you are asking for work out of the ordinary, such as with performance upgrades, you may need to visit independent shops instead.
During car maintenance, the dealership is going to complete a full inspection of the vehicle. During this time, the technicians may decide that other repairs are necessary, attempting to upsell more services. There have also been times when dealerships have offered unneeded services to get more money, but that could happen at an independent shop as well.
As you consider future service and maintenance, there are times when an independent shop may be a better option. Once the car is out of warranty, you are no longer obligated to use an authorized service center. You could save a lot of money by choosing a more reasonably-priced mechanic.
Some people also prefer the convenience and speed of using a place, such as a Jiffy Lube, for regular oil changes or maintenance. These shops can get customers in and out quickly, without a lot of hassle.
The local shop may see your vehicle sooner, but you should never go outside the dealership during the warranty period. If you are having warranty work performed, wait for the dealership or you could weaken a potential Lemon law case.
The time it takes for a dealership to return your vehicle to you depends on how busy the shop is, how difficult the repair is and if there’s a service bay available for the work. Extensive jobs, such as engine or transmission replacements, are going to require factory trained technicians that are often booked out further than those doing routine maintenance.
How long can a dealership hold your car for repair? As per California Lemon law (Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act), the dealership cannot have your vehicle for more than a month for the same problem. However, there’s less restriction if Lemon law doesn’t apply in your situation.
A dealership can hold the car a little longer if they are waiting for parts to come in or the service is backlogged. It may also take more time for a major repair.
To be sure you are treated fairly, review all service agreements and the warranty to understand what’s acceptable. If you feel that you are being taken advantage of or not treated fairly, you may want to consult with a lemon law attorney for more support.
Above all, maintain constant communication with the dealership. Call regularly for updates and document all of the communication. Be polite, but don’t be a pushover. The dealership may legitimately have your car for a month, but they should never have your car for three months or any excessive amount of time.
If you’ve been waiting, you may wonder what happens if the car dealership can’t fix your car. If the car is still under warranty, you may be entitled to file a lemon law claim. The following criteria are necessary to file a claim in California:
It is critical that you keep all records of the repair attempts, proving that the issue has never been resolved. You should keep copies of all direct communication with the particular brand and the dealership.
You may be eligible for a Lemon law buyback or a replacement vehicle. A qualified lemon law attorney can help defend your rights against the largest auto manufacturers.
While you may not want to spend money on a lawyer, it’s important to file a Lemon law claim as soon as your vehicle becomes eligible. Thankfully, most lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid when you win your case, so you may not have to pay anything upfront.
A lawyer is going to look over the case facts and ensure your car meets the requirements. If there are more steps to take before filing the claim, your lawyer will tell you what to do next.
Otherwise, you are required by law to send the manufacturer and dealership a demand letter, outlining what you expect from the claim. Most dealers and manufacturers are going to do nothing with this letter unless you are represented by a lawyer.
Suing a car dealership is a daunting task to take on yourself, but it’s possible to get a quick resolution if you choose the right lawyer. Whether you need to return a car to the dealership or have a lemon, an attorney will fight for your rights and get you everything you are entitled to under CA law.
The new car dealership is a great place to take your vehicle for service or warranty work, but it can also be difficult to communicate with the dealer when things go wrong. In some cases, you may need a lawyer to represent your interests and get results. Don’t drive your unsafe vehicle or lemon car any longer.
Because The Lemon Pros work on a contingency basis, you don’t need to pay anything to get started. As the best Lemon law attorney in California, we’ve won settlements from the largest auto manufacturers and know how to get results. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Phone: (855) 725-2446
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We have an excellent success record in representing consumers just like you! We are award winning attorneys, but that has not gotten to our heads. We are attorneys who care and give personalized attention to each and every client, our attorneys directly handle your claim.
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