I took my Chevy Trax into the dealership and was quoted $622 for a replacement pipe part that is leaking onto my catalytic converter sensor. The cost does not include labor, and I’m skeptical. I’m curious if people have generally had good or fair experiences with dealerships, or if I’m better off going to a generic auto shop.
I wouldn’t say overpriced; it just costs them more to do business. Someone has to pay for the prime real estate and the latest equipment along with factory-trained techs. If you have a simple problem or an older car, it’s usually better to go with a good independent shop. They can handle routine maintenance much cheaper. Dealers are best for warranty work or complex issues.
A dealer shop might be the only option if a job requires specialized diagnostic and programming tools that independent mechanics won’t have.
Also, many machines come with special service tools designed for them, which dealers will have. Independent mechanics might not have those tools, which is why they often specialize in certain types of cars.
Dealerships are almost always way more expensive.
As long as I have a warranty, I’ll use the dealer so they can’t deny coverage later for missing routine maintenance.
Dealerships are known for being pricier than third-party shops. My experience with their technicians has been mixed.
They’re usually more than independent shops, but some will compete on maintenance jobs. Call around for quotes. If the price is similar, I prefer the dealer for OEM parts.
They aren’t called stealerships for no reason.
Never take your car to a dealership after the warranty is up. They’ll charge you way more. I had one quote me $720 for a $45 sensor that took five minutes to change.
Thanks, I figured. I only went there because of the 8/80 warranties on catalytic converters. I bought the car from CarMax with their maxcare warranty.
Yes, dealerships are expensive. But they don’t have the easy way out like many independent shops do when they can’t fix a problem.
Does a bear shit in the woods?
Dealers are usually more expensive and have a minimum per customer they try to meet. My independent mechanic warned me about the labor costs upfront when I needed OEM parts.