These days there are numerous options for car servicing and these are dependent upon a range of considerations which may include the type and age of car and the terms under which you purchased or financed the car.
The main options you face are whether to go to a franchised dealer, an independent garage or a fast-fit chain. Whatever type of garage you choose you want the reassurance that the car is in safe and knowledgeable hands and is being serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
Before you choose a garage do some research
Before making a decision it’s important to establish that any garage is good at what it does. A little research can pay dividends. You can search on the Trading Standards website and use your post code to find approved garages locally.
There is also Motor Codes, a government-backed body for the motor industry which permits drivers to rate garages they have used. For independent garages, Trust My Garage is worth a look as well as ‘Who Can Fix My Car’.
Chat to friends and colleagues to find out what they’ve experienced and whether they have any recommendations to make.
It’s advisable to get a quote before you make the final choice. Just ring around with a specific brief – car details of course and what type of service you think is necessary. Make a note of how you are dealt with you on the phone – is the tone courteous, polite, informative, helpful and friendly? Did you get the right ‘vibe’ that this company will look after you?
Choose car servicing at an independent garage
Call us biased but as an independent garage we believe we offer a standard of service that is second to none. And as you read this please remember that even if your car is still covered by its warranty, you’re not obliged to have it serviced at a franchised dealer and so you immediately have a wider choice of options at your disposal – most often they are more cost effective and you will not invalidate any new vehicle warranty or approved-used warranty by taking the car to be serviced at an independent garage such as Howarth’s.