| It is well known that service departments at auto | | | | repeat repairs will be covered. But most auto dealer |
| dealers almost always charge more than small | | | | service departments warrant their work on cars that |
| garages for most repairs. That's because in order to | | | | are out of warranty. The warranties are usually |
| run a service department at a dealership, the dealer | | | | specific to the repair and may cover parts, labor and |
| must pay a fee to the auto maker. Naturally, they pass | | | | rental car expenses. Small garages may also offer |
| that cost along to consumers. For basic maintenance | | | | warranties, but the advantage of a service |
| and small repairs, going to a local garage will probably | | | | department warranty is that it is usually good at any |
| save you money. However, for more complex repairs, | | | | dealer of that make of car. |
| a dealer's service department may be your best | | | | If the problem you're experiencing is the subject of a |
| option. Here's why. | | | | manufacturer's recall, a service department mechanic |
| The mechanics who work in dealership service | | | | will be more likely to know about it. Service |
| departments are highly trained in working with specific | | | | departments at car dealers typically run a check each |
| makes of cars and some may even specialize by | | | | time you bring your vehicle in for service to determine |
| specific model. They are typically extensively trained | | | | whether a recall has been issued for that make and |
| by the manufacturer and frequently attend refresher | | | | model. Also, many car manufacturers require that |
| training courses. If your car is experiencing a problem | | | | recall repairs be done by a service department. |
| that's common to your make of car but not common | | | | Finally, if your car needs to be in the shop for an |
| in others, a service department mechanic trained in | | | | extended period of time a service department that's |
| working with your specific make and model will have | | | | located on the same site as an auto dealer can offer |
| an easier time catching it than a local garage, whose | | | | you more convenient access to a rental car. Many |
| limited training resources must be spent on keeping up | | | | service departments have their own fleet of rentals. |
| to date with many different makes and models. | | | | Or, if your car only needs to be in the shop for a day |
| Also, almost without exception, service departments | | | | or less, many service departments have a courtesy |
| offer some form of warranty on their work. Obviously, | | | | shuttle. |
| if the car is still covered by the master warranty any | | | | |