Dealer Service or Local Guy down The Street

Lmikeymike on 12/06/2018 - 14:15
Last edited 12/06/2018 - 15:38 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,
Car is just out of warranty and was wondering what others do in this scenario, continue on with the dealer or start servicing at my local mechanic.

1/ Does the log book stamp even matter that much? resell value.. is it any better for the car, genuine parts or so they say?
2/ All the new tech out there is it better to get it dealer serviced? cameras, start/ stop, battery, recalls etc..

Cons
1/ Cost is a lot more expensive
2/ I find they makeup a lot of stuff, when explaining what they did

Pos
1/ Courtesy car to use while getting serviced
2/ one location looking after my car, so all problems,issues i can go back to the one place. 3/ Somethings are dealer specific like recalls and its good to drop it off to one place and they do it all - service and recalls at the one time
4/ usually the customer service is good

Also if possible provide what car you do own and have serviced.

Thanks in advance.

Poll Options

• 1
  Dealer service only
• 34
  my own mechanic takes care of this for me
• 6
  I am my mechanic
• 2
  I don't bother servicing my car

• 

  Hybroid on 12/06/2018 - 14:22

  Depends on the vehicle? A high value vehicle with lots of technology and the included recovery and assistance means dealer services only to maintain quality and resale value. A basic Corolla? Maybe not so much.

• 

  Ocker on 12/06/2018 - 14:26

  +7

  Split it up
  Minor service your local guy and then for a major service the dealership.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 12/06/2018 - 14:29

  Minor service will only require oil and filter change most of the time, so probably should go to the local mechanic.

  As long as the car is serviced regularly and on time that should be sufficient for the service book at sale timr

• 

  defro on 12/06/2018 - 14:55

  Depends how long you're going to keep the car for too.
  If you plan to drive a car to 200kms+ resale value isn't going to be good anyway IMO.
  I would do major at dealership and smaller services at the local mechanic.

• 

  FiDad on 12/06/2018 - 14:55

  Cons
  2/ usually the customer service is good

  I don't know why you put good customer service as the con. Anyway, for me I started taking the car to my local mechanic after the warranty period and definitely feels he is servicing the car better while still being cheaper

  • 

    mikeymike on 12/06/2018 - 15:06

    Fixed, moved 2/ to Positive - Thanks

• 

  [Deactivated] on 12/06/2018 - 15:23

  +5

  The only time our new vehicle, 2007 model saw a dealers service department was for warrant work. Every service minor or major except for the 1,500 "free" BS one was done by a private mechanic that I have been going to for 14 years.

  It has been serviced by the book and with 320,000K on it still runs like a dream.

  If you also believe dealers actually check everything in the tick boxes you are delusional.

• 

  HighAndDry on 12/06/2018 - 15:29

  Depends on the car. If it's a luxury vehicle with lots of bells and whistles, and costs a tonne and something you want to maximise the resale value of - I'd stick with the dealer.

• 

  Youfah Mizzum on 12/06/2018 - 18:39

  I have 4 vehicles in my household & do the oil & filter on all of them every 10,000kms (roughly).

  For the major services, I go to the local mechanic. One car I go to a specific mechanic who only works with that make of car. They're geniuses on that make, particularly for specific problems.
  The other 3 vehicles the local guy down the road is great, honest and shows me the parts he's replaced and goes into detail what he's done.

• 

  mikeymike on 19/06/2018 - 12:02

  Thanks everyone for the votes and comments. Can anyone recommend a Mechanic who specialises in Mazda's in Melbourne (West)?
  Cheers