Why Choose a Dealership Over a Third-Party Mechanic?

Every vehicle needs service sooner or later, both for minor maintenance and for more substantial repairs. But are you better off taking your vehicle into a dealership, rather than a trusted mechanic in Sarasota? The answer is almost always yes, especially if you have a newer vehicle. We break down why and offer tips to get the most from every visit.

Warranty Protection

You dealer’s certified service center is authorized by the manufacturer to work on your new vehicle and must complete your repair as instructed by them, protecting your warranty should anything go wrong. For this reason, dealerships are also the best place to get warranty service done as well.

OEM Parts

Shadetree mechanics typically use the cheapest parts they can find to keep costs low. This practice is good on the surface, but these parts usually don’t come with the same 12-month/12,000-mile warranty as OEM parts nor are they always made to the same standards, which can mean early failure and more repair bills in your future.

Advanced Equipment

Local mechanics are typically generalists, allowing them to work on any car in the Tampa area. Dealerships are specialists. They’ve been trained on your specific vehicle and have the diagnostic equipment necessary to find, and fix, your late model vehicle’s issues.

Thorough Recordkeeping

Dealerships must keep records of the repairs done on your vehicle, which can be helpful should you decide to sell or trade-in the vehicle in the future and can help to preserve your high resale value. Most Palmetto shops don’t have the same requirements.

Easy Scheduling

Local mechanics can be difficult to book and can take days – or weeks to complete your vehicle’s service. Your local dealership not only makes it easy to schedule your service online, but they can also give you a fair estimate of when your vehicle will be ready. Plus, they often also offer coupons and specials to help you save money.

Bring Your Vehicle to the Service Experts

Whether it’s vehicle repairs and service, advice like when to replace your brakes, or tips on how to do simple projects, like oil changes, yourself, the experts at Cox Chevrolet are here to help. Contact us today to see how.