Should you service your car at a dealer or independent garage?

Should you take your car to a dealership for a service or use a trusted local mechanic? What are the benefits of using a plush showroom for your car’s maintenance over a backstreet garage? And are there savings to be had?

The answer to these questions will very much depend on the age of your car and its value when it was brand new. Dan Powell of HonestJohn.co.uk explains. 

Will I void my car’s warranty if I use an independent garage or mechanic? 

No, you will not automatically void your car’s warranty by using a local mechanic. The EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (also known as the MVBER) is still in force in the UK and forbids car manufacturers from pushing drivers to approved dealerships to maintain their vehicle’s warranty.

As a result, you can take your car to any garage for its annual service without affecting its factory warranty. That said, the car must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards. The garage is also required to use manufacturer-approved parts and fluids, which must be itemised on an invoice. Failure to do so will most likely result in a void warranty. 

However, if your car is on a leasing or finance agreement then you will need to check your contract before taking it to a local mechanic. Some leasing and finance companies will insist that the car is serviced and repaired within the dealer network only, and write this into the contract that you sign with them. 

What is the price difference between a dealer and a local garage?

Local garages tend to be cheaper than dealerships because they have fewer overhead costs than large dealerships with their flashy showrooms. 

A local mechanic may also have access to third-party spares and parts – which is handy if you are looking for a cheaper fix when your car is outside of its manufacturer warranty period. 

Local garages will have access to a number of independent gearbox and engine specialists too, who will be more willing to repair faulty parts rather than insist on a replacement, which will lower the cost of a big repair job. 

There isn’t a great deal of data on the price difference between dealers and local garages, but a 2017 survey by MotorEasy found franchised dealers charged an average labour rate of £99 compared to £56 for independent garages.

What are the benefits of having your car serviced at a dealer? 

A car with a fully stamped dealer service history will always be more desirable on the used market than one without. This is particularly true for premium and sports cars, with buyers preferring vehicles that have only been serviced within the manufacturer’s dealer network. 

Dealers tend to provide free updates and mechanical upgrades, which are stipulated by the manufacturer and applied at the same time as the annual service. This could be something small like a sat nav map update or something major like an engine software upgrade that’s designed to reduce fuel consumption. These upgrades may not necessarily be applied by an independent garage, and some may not have the equipment to run these types of diagnostic tests. 

If your car experiences a mechanical problem outside of its manufacturer warranty period then the dealer and carmaker will be more inclined to provide you with assistance. This may result in a free repair or a discounted rate on parts and labour, to reward your loyalty. 

Should I pay for a dealer service plan?

A prepaid service plan will give you a discount when you pay for all of your car’s servicing in one lump sum. In some cases, with two- or three-year-packages, you can save up to 30% on the total dealer servicing cost. 

However, as with many things in life, you will need to check the details. Some prepaid service agreements may not include an annual oil change, instead giving you a single oil and filter replacement every two years, which may result in lower quality service than you would get if you paid annually. 

Can I do ‘DIY’ car servicing? 

If you are mechanically skilled, you can service your car yourself. This tends to apply to older vehicles that are over 10 years of age, with owners doing the basics like oil and air filter changes, along with a full mechanical inspection.

DIY car servicing will save you money in the long run, but it may affect the resale value of your car as potential buyers may be hesitant to pay the full asking price if they can’t confirm the service history of the vehicle.

Like buildings insurance, car insurance does require the owner to keep the vehicle in good repair, which could be a critical factor in the event of a claim. If you have any questions about your car insurance, your local branch is available to help – simply pop in, or give them a call.