Choosing between a corner garage or a dealership service department for your car maintenance can be a challenging decision. Regular maintenance is a must for any car as regular tune-ups keep your car in optimum condition.

Both corner garages and dealerships are good choices for car maintenance. Regardless of the size of the repair, you should make the choice that fits your needs and your pocketbook. But before you take your car anywhere, it’s important to have the facts in order and do your research.

The best corner garages and dealership service departments have plenty of people willing to talk about the quality of their service. Word-of-mouth is a great way to find your next serviceman. Ask friends or family and check out Consumer’s Checkbook, AAA Approved Auto Repairs, or DealerRater ratings which are available in the CarZen iPad App for auto repair service evaluations.

Simple maintenance repairs include regular oil changes, tune-ups (air filter, oil change, fuel filter, clean or replace spark plugs, safety check) and brake maintenance. These repairs should be performed every 6 months or 3,000-5,000 miles. Specialty repairs involve reprogramming or replacing the computer parts or mechanical component parts. Warranty repairs refer to any work covered by your original car manufacturer’s warranty or the extended warranty. Here are the strengths and weaknesses for both your corner garage and dealership service repairs.

Dealer Strengths
Dealers have the benefit of employing factory trained mechanics. They feature full-service facilities that can repair anything from a broken window to a complete engine. Dealers have manufactured parts readily available, without the need to wait days or part orders. Updated repair information is always available to dealerships and they can perform warranty repair work. Additionally, dealerships pay for their technicians to regularly get necessary training for their brand.

Dealer Weaknesses
If a personal relationship with your mechanic is important, dealerships may not be the best choice. Servicemen tend to have many clients at a given time. Dealers tend to charge a little more for simple maintenance repairs as they pay technicians more for the labor. Also, manufacturer replacement parts cost more.

Corner Garage Strengths
Corner garages have less overhead, more personal service, and more convenient locations. It’s likely you’ll know your mechanic personally and will be able to work with them to schedule both big and little repairs. Many mechanics in independent shops were formerly technicians at dealerships. Skill and competence usually isn’t an issue.
Labor costs tend to be lower than dealerships. However, shops might charge a disposal cost for recycling dangerous fluids, tires, or scrap. Most mechanics are certified through the National Institute Automotive Service Excellence, a respected accrediting group for automotive mechanics. Many independent shops also have the latest computer updates and bulletins that dealerships have.

Corner Garage Weaknesses
It’s important to check whether your chosen independent shop can perform warranty work. If they can’t, then you’ll need a dealer recommendation. If you’re willing to pay to have your corner garage make the repairs, know that smaller shops sometimes use after-market parts on your car. If you only want factory parts, let your mechanic know before he performs any repairs. Another down side is there may be a limited number of technicians available to repair your car. Last minute scheduling can be difficult so you need to plan accordingly and your repair may take a bit longer.

Good customer service is a focus for both dealerships and garages. Corner garages thrive on positive word-of-mouth and dealerships rely on customers filling out the CSI form and providing a top rating for the service. There really is no right answer, both dealerships and corner garages are great options for car service.

When choosing between the dealership and a corner garage, it all depends on your needs and preferences. A dealership may be your best bet if you’re car is under warranty, but a local corner garage with a good reputation can be invaluable for your car maintenance.