Last Updated on 15 July 2025 by Maelle
Before wondering where to take your vehicle for maintenance and repairs, you should understand the difference between the two. Routine maintenance items are those listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual as part of the model’s maintenance schedule. They are designed to keep your vehicle in optimal working condition. Repairs are services that must be performed to address a problem. Where you take your vehicle may depend on what needs to be done.
Scheduled maintenance can be performed at any dealership; you don’t have to go to the one where you purchased the vehicle. Similarly, you can take your vehicle to an independent auto repair shop or a franchise, which are generally less expensive than dealerships. Federal law gives you the right to have your vehicle serviced wherever you choose without affecting your warranty coverage. (Depending on the contract, lessees may be required to have all service performed at a dealership.) Your dealership’s service department mechanics are specifically trained and certified to handle all your model’s maintenance needs, and the shop will be equipped with all the necessary diagnostic equipment. However, since the maintenance items are fairly basic, any professional auto shop should be able to perform the necessary tasks. Wherever you go for maintenance, make sure they have access to the manufacturer’s latest Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), which are essentially instructions on how to troubleshoot common problems with a particular model. Often, car manufacturers will perform repairs free of charge. TSBs, but you’ll need to go to a dealership to have the work done.
If you have a problem with a system unique to your model or manufacturer—especially an electronic system, such as a navigation system or multifunction control system—consider taking your vehicle to a dealership. You should also take it to a dealership to have any safety recall work done. Today, tout-reparer.fr offers you its guide: How to find a good auto repair shop? How to find a good auto mechanic According to our annual surveys, we find that consumers are generally more satisfied with independent shops than dealerships.
But finding a trustworthy mechanic for your car is not enough to rely on your fingers. You need to do some old-fashioned research. There’s no single clue to what makes a good repair shop, but here are some things you should look for:
Find a shop for your car make
Many garages specialize in certain makes. Those who focus on your type are more likely to have the latest training and equipment to repair your vehicle.
Ask family and friends. Ask especially those who have a similar vehicle for recommendations.Do some research online.
- Look up information on local mechanics on the e-pro automotive directory.
- Check certification. Your mechanic and shop must be state-certified.Auto repair shops rank 12th on the bureau’s list of most common complaints.
- Take a test drive.
- Before your car needs a major repair, you can try some local shops for smaller repairs or maintenance, such as oil and filter changes.
- Ask about warranties
- What type of warranty does the shop offer on repair work? Warranties can vary considerably from shop to shop, so check ahead of time. Use a common repair, such as brakes, as a guide.
- Make sure the shop is convenient
- Even the best shop may not be worth it if its hours don’t work or if you have limited transportation options after dropping off the car.
- Check your repair estimate
- Repair estimates can be confusing. But there are ways to ensure you won’t be overcharged for repairs other than basic maintenance, such as oil changes. Request a quote that breaks down the cost of parts and labor. Don’t be afraid to ask why a repair is so expensive. Remember that a cheaper repair isn’t always the best. A good shop may use parts with longer warranties or have particularly skilled technicians. You may get a better price from an independent mechanic if going anywhere other than the dealership doesn’t void the warranty. But keep in mind that dealerships sometimes have specialized tools that independent shops don’t. The best control comes from a trustworthy mechanic who isn’t afraid to answer questions or explain the work they do. The entire tout-reparer.fr team remains at your disposal in the blog’s comments section.
