When the time comes that you need to service your car, choosing a suitable garage to take it to can make you feel a little uneasy, as essentially, you are putting a rather expensive possession into the hands of a total stranger! Since October 2003, you are no longer obliged to have your car serviced by a franchise dealer i.e the manufacturers garage. So how do you choose where to take your car to?

The two obvious choices is to use either a national, main dealer or a local, independent garage. There are many advantages to using a local company that can often be overlooked, so let’s take a closer look at what these entail…

Good reputation

You’re more likely to be met by staff who have more time to spend with you, advising you in a friendly and knowledge way; more than happy to help. That’s not to say you can’t find friendly and helpful staff at a larger dealership, but independent garages sometimes have more of a personal approach to the service they provide their customers.

Local garages can often come to your attention via word of mouth. Perhaps a recommendation from a family member, work colleague or friend. Having a company recommended to you will give you added peace of mind that you will be looked after and treated well.

Specialists

The car mechanics at your local garage could well be specialists in certain areas. For instance, they could be experts in a particular car brand, such as Mercedes or Toyota, if they have previously worked for those companies.

Similarly, they could specialise in certain services, such as MOTs, tyres or servicings, so it’s worth doing your homework prior to booking your car in.

Convenient

Any car owner will understand the inconvenience that comes with having to take your car into a garage. Being without a car can be a hassle, but with a local garage, it’s probably going to be closer to where you live, so you won’t have to travel further afield i.e into the nearest city, which can prove rather troublesome trying to get back afterwards without your car.

In addition to this, a local company are more likely to be able to fit you in sooner, rather than having to book days or weeks in advance.

Often cheaper/more cost effective

The hourly rate of a local car garage can be cheaper than that of a national company. This could be due to the fact that national companies may have targets to meet, so using an independent company can be more cost effective. However, this should not just be assumed. It’s advisable to still ring around for quotes so you know what all your options are.

 
For genuine car servicing from an independent company you can trust, Universal Tyres are the experts to call. We aim to offer a same day service and the best prices around, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local branch today to book your car in.