Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Can I Take My Car To Any Dealer For Service

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Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For A Salesperson Swap

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Buying a car can be a very personal and intimate experience, and if your salesperson makes you uneasy or if you feel like you’re being pressured, it’s OK to ask for a pinch hitter. Edmunds calls it “test driving your salesperson.” Just ask to speak to a sales manager, politely ask for a different representative, and your request will almost certainly be granted with no hard feelings.

Are Genuine Parts Needed

Many dealers also angled for dealer servicing by saying genuine parts were either required or highly recommended in order to keep the warranty intact.

The problem here is that genuine car parts can be much more expensive than aftermarket parts .

In fact, when we looked at this issue previously, we found details of the mark-up being as much as 60% even though the parts are often identical.

But you don’t have to pay the price premium on parts to be covered. The ACCC’s guidance says that provided you use quality parts, your car manufacturer’s warranty won’t be voided.

If a non-genuine part is used it won’t be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, but it would be covered under the warranty of the part’s supplier and/or Australian Consumer Law.

To be fair, despite the initial response of dealers, when pushed many did clarify that it’d only be the actual part that wouldn’t be covered rather than the whole warranty being voided.

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Independent Mechanics Do Not Have Specialized Diagnostic Computers

At first glance, this may seem like a reasonable claim, but many independent mechanics, including Autobahn Automotive Service, invest heavily in the specialized equipment it takes to correctly diagnose and repair German vehicles. Most manufactures also license their own diagnostic software to repair facilities.

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Bring Your Research With You

When you do learn about your car’s actual market value, cost to own, manufacturer rebates, etc., print it all out, put it in a folder and bring it with you to the dealership. First of all, it’s handy to be able to refer to your materials when you’re actually looking at the car — it all tends to blur together when you’re researching so many vehicles. Also, it’s good to be able to refer the dealer to what you’ve learned if there are any discrepancies. Finally, it lets the salesperson know you’ve studied up, you know your stuff and you’re not likely to be oversold.

Ford Car Service In Winder Ga

Custom Point

Many dealerships have something called auto-servicing contracts which they will ask the customers to sign while making a new vehicle purchase. This essentially means that the customer will have to service their car only from that dealership during the warranty period. But that is not what should usually happen. Do I need to service my Ford car at the dealership I bought it from? The short answer is no. Read this blog by Akins Ford to learn more. You can then get your Ford car serviced here in Winder, GA at Akins Ford.

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Can I Get My Subaru Serviced Anywhere

The Subaru maintenance complimentary states that one can get Subaru vehicle serviced at any Subaru dealership center. So yes, you can get your Subaru vehicle serviced at any authorized dealership free 2 years.

The oil change, filter changes, cabin filters, tire rotations, and every necessary inspection will be free for 2 years.

The program covers maintenance of any Subaru vehicle for two years of 24,000 miles. For more details, you should check your vehicle manuals.

Are ‘capped Price Servicing’ Deals Worth It

A number of car manufacturers offer capped price service deals when buying a new car. Locking in a set servicing price may sound like an appealing offer, but check what you’re getting before you sign on the dotted line. While the term ‘capped price service’ gives the impression of price transparency and value for money, the reality is this is rarely the case.

The CPS is often built into the cost of buying the car and may be subject to change at the manufacturer’s discretion. Many CPS policies don’t cover the critical service items specified in the manufacturer’s service schedules for the vehicle, meaning replacement parts can cost extra.

‘Capped price service’ is often built into the cost of buying the car and may be subject to change at the manufacturer’s discretion

In early 2015, the ACCC took action against Kia over its capped price servicing program. The ACCC said that the car manufacturer had made representations on its website that “the capped price applicable for each service is the maximum you will pay for your scheduled service”.

All the while, Kia’s terms and conditions had allowed scheduled service prices to be amended at any time, and service prices had in fact been changed by Kia four times since 2012.

We took a look at a few servicing deals to find out what was going on and found it hard to see the benefit in some cases

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Do I Have To Get My Car Serviced At The Dealership To Keep The Warranty

You dont need to take your car to a dealership for warranty. However, you need to be sure that the servicing is done according to the schedules of the manufacturer.

This might affect the financial agreement of your car. Therefore, you should go over your manual and check the warranty as stated by the manufacturer of your car.

Independent Mechanics Do Not Have The Same Training

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Here is another claim that is just as false as the rest. I would venture to say that most quality independent shops have higher skilled mechanics than the dealer. Walk into many Mercedes Benz dealerships across the country and the average years of experience are only a fraction of a German Car Specialist. Furthermore, there are factory training classes offered for almost every major vehicle manufactured.

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Your Car Belongs To You

Many of you are probably asking yourselves why anyone would ever want to go anywhere else for service and risk having to argue with the dealership about warranty claims. There are a few compelling scenarios why some owners would choose to avoid a dealer service bay.

Some people live far from the spot where they purchased their car, and its simply more convenient to get minor servicing done locally rather than drive an hour or two for an appointment. Others are tired of having extras like engine flushes and other preventative maintenance pushed on them when simply trying to get their tires rotated. Finally, there is a small contingent of owners out there who enjoy the simple pleasures of working on their cars themselves.

The bottom line? Your car belongs to you. You make the payments every month, and you should get to decide when and where you want to have it worked on, without risking your warranty.

And fortunately, the law is on your side.

Only The Dealer Knows The Required Maintenance

Does this even make sense? Its a real line I have heard from customers and on more than just one occasion. News flash: the vehicle service schedule is in every owners manual and, at the very least, theres this thing called Google. This is a troubling comment because it shows the lengths the dealer will go to in order to gain service work. On top of this, extreme use is the first trick the dealer will use to increase the service ticket. They say your vehicle needs more maintenance because of how you drive.

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How Often Should You Service Your Car

When you buy a new car, you should also check what type of servicing schedule it has. There are two main types: fixed-schedule servicing and variable servicing, sometimes also referred to as a long-life service plan. Depending on the type of car you buy, it could require one or the other type of servicing, or you could be asked to choose between them depending on your driving habits.

Fixed-schedule servicing requires your car to visit the garage when a set mileage or time limit is reached, with whichever happens first triggering the service. A common interval period is 12,000 miles or 12 months, but youll need to check in your cars servicing handbook to verify when it needs attention. This type of servicing is best suited to low to medium-mileage drivers who often take short trips.

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Variable servicing depends on sensors fitted around the car and its on-board computer telling you when it needs attention via the dashboard. Typically, this approach can allow more miles between services, especially if you often sit on the motorway, placing less stress on components. Drive with more frequent bursts of acceleration and braking and the service will arrive sooner. As a result, this type of servicing can suit drivers with high annual mileages of 12,000 miles or more, who often undertake longer trips. Make sure your garage resets the service interval warning, otherwise itll ping up when a service isnt necessary.

The Importance Of Oem Parts

Car Service Longford

Getting your vehicle serviced at the dealership is also one of the best ways to ensure that it receives genuine OEM parts. Whether its spark plugs, oil filters or brake pads, the best parts are often the ones your car came with when it rolled off the assembly line. And if your vehicle has an active Technical Service Bulletin, the factory-trained mechanics know how to make repairs according to the manufacturers instructions.

Auto shops are more likely to offer aftermarket parts, which can save you money in the short term. Typically, however, they arent of the same quality as their OEM counterparts. The good news is that you can usually work with your mechanic to use OEM parts, which they may actually end up sourcing from a nearby dealership. So while you might pay a similar cost for OEM parts, you could also save significantly on labor.

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You Can Choose Without Compromising Your Vehicle Warranty

  • Working with your local Automotive Service Professional, you can maintain your vehicles warranty while also retaining the convenience and personal service offered.
  • Your independent garage has access to products that meet the required specifications to maintain your cars warranty.
  • Your independent garage has access to scheduled maintenance information required to maintain your cars warranty.
  • Your independent garage can document your service to ensure there are records of service should there ever be a dispute regarding warranty.
  • The only service that MAY be required to be done at a car dealer are warranty repairs and recalls. Your independent garage can help keep you informed of these service requirements.

Can Any Mechanic Work On A Subaru Keep Subaru Warranty

One of the most important decisions you get to make as a person is the decision for your choice of car.

You need to buy a car from a reliable brand so that may be able to enjoy using it. Most of the time what buyers consider when buying a car, is the price.

And this sometimes causes problems. When making a decision for a choice of car, you should consider buying a highly reliable car that will serve you for a long time.

One of the most popular and highly reliable brands out there is the Subaru vehicle.

Subaru has different designs such as the Subaru Forester, the Subaru Outback, the Subaru Ascent, the Subaru Impreza, the Subaru BRZ, and the Subaru XV.

The Subaru XV is a collection of sedans like Subaru Legacy, Subaru WRX, and the Subaru WRX STI.

Subaru has built various types of concepts in vehicles. Their cars have shown new and different technologies and styles.

AND so Subaru vehicles are kind of reliable and affordable for what they offer.

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Don’t Overestimate Your Trade

Many sites, like Kelley Blue Book , offer free appraisal tools that will tell you what you can expect to get at sale or trade-in. A common mistake, however, is to overstate the car’s condition when it comes time to enter those values into the tool — sometimes because of a sentimental connection to the car that only applies to you and never to the dealer. According to KBB, most cars, 54%, are in “good” condition, one up from the bottom category, which is “fair.” Fewer than 1 in 4 are listed as “very good” and just 3% are listed as “excellent.”

What Are The Common Models Of The Hyundai In The Market

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The Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, and Accent are among the most popular models of Hyundai on the market today.

The Elantra is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable sedan with excellent fuel economy it gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway.

The Sonata is a bit bigger than the Elantra and offers more horsepower, making it a great option for families or those who need a little more power under the hood.

The Accent is Hyundais subcompact offering and is an excellent choice for city-dwellers or those who are looking for an ultra-efficient car it gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway.

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Don’t Negotiate Based On Msrp

According to CNN, salespeople are trained to negotiate down based on the car’s MSRP, which is what they’d like to get for the vehicle. Instead, negotiate up based on the car’s invoice price, which is what the dealer paid for the car. Generally, 2% above the invoice price is a fair deal for both parties.

You Have The Right To Choose Where Your Car Is Maintained Even Under Warranty

As the owner of a new car, or new to you, you certainly want to make all the right decisions about properly maintaining your new wheels in its early years to ensure that it serves you well throughout its life. And you certainly dont want to do anything to compromise your vehicles warranty. What you may not knowmost consumers dontis that your trusted, local Automotive Service Professional can change thosetires for your car without compromising its warranty.

Many new car buyers believe that they have to say goodbye to the convenience and relationship they have built with a trusted local independent garage until the new car warranty expires.

The truth is that there is nothing in a new car warranty to compel you to return only to the dealer for regular maintenance. While the wording in owners manuals can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, what you should notice upon reading is that while they may detail a schedule of regular maintenance service items, they will not specify where that service must be performed.

In each province in Canada, there are Automotive Service Professionals who are qualified to service any vehicle make and model. The good news is you still have the right to bring your new car to that qualified Automotive Service Professional you have trusted over the years.

You have a choice.

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How To Make The Most Of The Dealership

While it isnt essential, dealerships do offer lots of amenities to help make service that much sweeter. Many offer free Wi-Fi, comfy chairs and sometimes even donuts in the waiting area. Shuttles or rideshare credit may also be available, making it easier to run errands or relax at home.

Since youre already at the dealership, taking your vehicle in for service can also be a great way to check out the latest models. Why not visit the showroom floor and take a few test drives? And if your car requires major work over several days, you might be able to borrow a vehicle and see what its like to live with.

Are Used Cars Protected

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Government legislation protects those buying a new vehicle and you get the full force of a new car warranty, but what about if you buy a used car?

If your second-hand vehicle has travelled less than 160,000km then the Motor Dealers Act provides a statutory warranty of three months or 5000km travelled from the date of sale . Some car makers offer the remainder of the warranty to be transferred to a new owner.

According to NSW Fair Trading: Some types of vehicles are excluded from this warranty these would include commercial vehicles and luxury vehicles. If warranty repairs are required on a vehicle and it is undriveable, it is the dealers responsibility to get the vehicle back to the dealership for repairs or authorise repairs in the remote location. Of course the dealer would have no responsibility if the vehicle was abused.

Second-hand vehicles that do not have a statutory warranty must be roadworthy at the time of sale. The dealer is obliged to give consumers a Form 8 which states there is no warranty under the Motor Dealers Act and must also provide a Safety Inspection Report issued in accordance with the Traffic Act 1909 stating that the vehicle is roadworthy. This Report must not be issued more than 30 days before the date of sale unless the vehicles registration was renewed within one month of the date of sale or in the case where the dealer supplies the Safety Inspection Report the period may be up to 90 days.

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Can I Get My Car Serviced Anywhere Under Warranty

Under the European Block Exemption legislation, car manufacturers cannot invalidate your warranty if you take it to a non-franchised dealership. However, you must ensure that the repair centre uses genuine parts and that they make a note of the work theyve done, the changes theyve made and even the type and grade of oil theyve put in the car. This will protect you in case the vehicle manufacturer says that the service was not up to standard or the incorrect parts and substances were used.

Should further work be required on your vehicle, the manufacturer can insist that this is done at their repair centre if they are covering the cost of the work. If your vehicle is out of warranty, you can choose where these repairs are made as youre paying for them.

Its worth noting that the warranty offered by the manufacturer and an extended warranty that is offered by the dealer are different, so do check the conditions to make sure that you can take your vehicle to a repair centre of your choice.

If you have any questions about the warranty of your vehicle, get in touch with the friendly team of experts at your local Kwik Fit centre.

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