Servicing your car is a necessary expense with a confusing array of choices. Car dealerships claim they offer better service and, in the long run, better returns. Independent mechanics argue the big operators are a waste of money.
In a recent study, car service centres were put to the test with three different cars all requiring their 30,000km service. The study included car dealers and an independent service outlet, Repco.
Repco quoted on the cost of a service on each vehicle:
1) Holden Vectra: $276.54
2) Toyota Rav4: $107.40
3) Hyundai Excel: $210
Car dealership costs
1) Holden Vectra: $416
2) Toyota Rav4: $152
3) Hyundai Excel: $331.20
The results show that you will always pay more for a service with a dealer because, their labour rate is always higher and in most cases probably more often than not their parts are dearer..The Motor Traders Association, says "an independent repairer will probably be cheaper if you were having, say, a 30,000km service on your car".
The price difference
For the Vectra, the dealership charged 41 percent more; the Toyota service cost 52 percent more and the Hyundai was 59 percent more expensive. There are good reasons why the dealers charge more, such as high advertising, marketing costs and genuine parts.
Many car owners mistakenly believe that if you buy a new car you must have it serviced with a dealer or your warranty will be void. However, owners do have a choice and can decide whether to use the franchise dealer or go to an independent repairer. And provided the service is done by an accredited mechanic, you won't void your warranty.
Another hidden cost is the use of genuine parts. You can use cheaper alternatives at independent service centres, as long as they are authorised parts.
Most importantly, consumers should shop around and ask about the cost of replacement parts and labour. And be aware that you can use independent service centres and non-genuine parts and not void your warranty.
