Compare Car Servicing Prices
If you've tried to compare car servicing prices from two garages before, you know it can be like comparing apples to oranges. Knowing the right questions to ask and how to sort through various car servicing quotes can help you get an apples to apples comparison of prices.
Steps
- Figure out what kind of service your car needs. Before you even call a garage to compare prices, take time to figure out what service your car needs. Have a look in your car manual and service history document. Do you need a full service, an interim service, or some other specific type of service? While an interim service can cost £100 less than a full service, you should carry out the correct service that your car needs, as this should prevent expensive issues and breakdowns in the future. If you're really not sure what type of service your car needs, talk to each garage about its recommendations for your car.
- Compare prices from at least two garages. Once you've decided what type of service your car needs, phone two or three garages in your local area and get quotes, try to tell them exactly the same information. Of course, you can call more garages if you prefer.
- Get details on the checks that will be done. The best way to compare like for like is to make sure you get a list of all the checks that are involved with the service. Some garages will carry out a few standard checks with a basic service, rather than checking as per the manufacturer's service schedule. Obviously, you're going to pay more for a full range of checks with your service, but this may prevent breakdowns and other issues.
- Ask if the garage uses OE quality parts. Some garages who offer lower prices are able to do so because they use low quality parts that don't meet the standards of the original manufacturer. Garages who use OE quality parts will charge a little more for those parts, but the higher-quality parts will usually last longer and function better than non-OE quality parts. If your car is still under warranty, you absolutely should work with a garage that uses OE quality parts, as using lower quality parts could void your warranty.
- Ask what type of oil the garage uses. Garages sometimes try to keep their costs down by using lower quality oil, which can cause problems for your vehicle over time because it doesn't provide as much lubrication. It is important that the right oil is used in your car engine; if you are not sure what that should be ask each garage to check their database for you.
- Compare estimates. Now that you have two or three complete quotes, it's time to compare them. If one garage is charging you less but installs lower-quality parts and oil and carry out fewer checks, this may affect your cars reliability in the future.
Tips
- Keep a record of your car's maintenance history. This can help mechanics pinpoint problems and understand what checks need to be done on your car. A maintenance history is can also help you sell your car in the future!
- Be polite. There's no call to be rude when you're calling for estimates, and politeness can make these conversations more pleasant for all who are involved.
- If you don't know much about cars, have a more experienced friend or relative call the garages for you. Just make sure that person takes time to explain the difference between the estimates so you can choose what's best for you.
- If you bought a used car and don't have a record of its history, ask the garage how much it would cost to get a review of the car and to catch up on any missed maintenance.
- Remember, cheaper isn't always better. The key to getting the best car services is to get more value for your money, not necessarily to pay less.
- Check out garages that friends, family, or co-workers use, as these are more trustworthy than newer garages or those that can't hold customers for a long period of time.
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