Should I Take My Car to the Dealership for Repairs?

Keeping up with your vehicle’s recommended service and maintenance schedule is crucial to making sure that it continues to drive its best on the St. Louis roads. When it’s time for your vehicle to get serviced, should you take your car to the dealership for repairs? Or, should you rely on local service centers for all your car maintenance needs? Suntrup Automotive Group compares the pros and cons of independent shops vs. dealership service centers to help you decide what’s better for you. If you want convenient and reliable service, then visit our dealership service center for all of your service and maintenance needs. 

Independent Shop vs. Dealership Service Center: Pros & Cons

Should you take your car to the dealership for repairs? Or, would it be better to drop your car off at your local St. Charles service center? To answer this in a little more detail, we’ve put together some of the pros and cons of servicing your vehicle at an independent shop vs. a dealership service center below:

Dealership Service Center Pros

• Specialization: Dealership service centers usually specialize in particular vehicles. For example, if you drive a Chevy vehicle, then a Chevy dealership service center will more than likely have to park your vehicle needs to get proper service. Even if you don’t drive a vehicle that’s specific to the dealership, the dealership service center should still be able to have your vehicle serviced. 
• Professional Training: Technicians at dealership service centers used to receive ongoing professional training, so they’re more than certified and qualified to handle whatever your vehicle needs. They also have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. 
• OEM Parts: Dealerships are more likely to have OEM parts, or original manufacturer parts, that our vehicle needs. You can get the parts your vehicle needs through our parts store at Suntrup Automotive Group. 
• Convenience: If you live next to a dealership, then it’s much more convenient to drop your car off at the service center compared to searching around the area for a local service center. 

Dealership Service Center Cons

• Price: One of the disadvantages of servicing your vehicle at a dealership service center is that the repair costs will usually be more expensive. However, our service specials at Suntrup Automotive Group can help you save on your next visit with us. 

Independent Shop Pros

• Warranties: Sometimes, local service centers will honor any warranties your vehicle has through a third party. 
• Price: Local service centers usually offer less expensive repairs compared to servicing at a dealership. 

Independent Shop Cons

• Specialization: Since local service centers work on a variety of different makes and models, it may be hard to get personalized service for your specific vehicle. 
• OEM Parts: Many service centers cater to drivers of all kinds of different vehicles, which is why they probably use aftermarket instead of OEM parts. Aftermarket parts are made in large volumes and are designed to fit a variety of makes and models. They’re cheaper than OEM parts, but they’re not as specific or as efficient. 
• Convenience: It can be hard to narrow down which service center in the Fenton area would be the best choice to choose for maintenance and repairs. 

Hopefully, you’ve found this helpful, and you have a better idea of how to go about choosing between an independent shop and a dealership service center. Get the answers to other common service questions and anything else you need at Suntrup Automotive Group. 

Schedule Service in St. Louis

Whether you need wheel balancing or wheel alignment or need something more serious done on our car, Suntrup Automotive Group is here to help. Reach out to us to get your vehicle serviced and back out on the roads in no time.