El Paso Auto Repair: Dealership vs. Local Auto Repair Shop

Regular maintenance and auto repair work is the key to extending your vehicle’s life span and helping it run smoothly. However, these tasks aren’t usually the type of work that motorists can handle on their own in El Paso, TX. Instead, you’ll want to visit a nearby business for these services.

When you need car repair or maintenance, you’ll have to find a local dealership or an El Paso auto repair shop you can trust to handle the task. But only one of these options is the right choice for most drivers — and in this article, we’ll tell you how to find the right business for your service needs.

Dealerships vs. Auto Repair Shops: Understanding the Pros and Cons

Are you due for auto repair or maintenance work? If so, here’s a guide to help you choose where to take your vehicle for service.

Dealerships

In many cases, El Paso residents who bought their vehicles at a dealership think going back there for repair and maintenance work is the easiest option. That’s not entirely wrong, since this means you won’t have to do research on other businesses in the area. However, that research process could help you find better (and more affordable) options for auto repair in El Paso.

Dealerships can provide high-quality service for a handful of vehicle brands, but that isn’t enough to cancel out the extremely high rates they charge for this work. Plus, they aren’t the only businesses that deliver top-notch service — when you visit a reputable auto shop in the area, you’ll get workmanship that’s as good as (or better than) what you’d find at your dealership.

Auto Repair Shops

Since auto repair shops will almost always charge you less for service than dealerships, these businesses are the right fit for most El Paso residents. Along with that obvious benefit, local auto shops offer:

• Specialized services. Unlike dealership technicians, the mechanics at auto repair shops don’t focus on a small selection of cars. Instead, these workers specialize in fixing any vehicle you can think of, which means you can rely on these businesses to resolve any automotive issues you encounter.
• Personalized care. If your auto shop of choice is genuinely community-based, you won’t just be another number to its employees. Instead, you’ll get exceptional customer service from people who know and care about you.
• Convenient locations. No matter where you are in El Paso, you shouldn’t have to travel far for maintenance and repair services. The best auto shops can help by operating multiple locations around the area.
• A chance to support El Paso’s small businesses. Finally, choosing a local auto repair shop will ensure your money goes back into the area’s economy — not to the pockets of a major corporation.

The only true drawback of choosing auto shop service is that some of these businesses are more trustworthy than others. Still, when you put some effort into finding the right shop, you’ll never want to return to the dealership for repair and maintenance work.

How To Steer Clear of Scams and Rip-Offs

Once you’ve decided to visit an auto shop, it’s time to take the next step: tracking down reliable mechanics in El Paso. Given the sheer number of auto shops in this region, that’s easier said than done. Fortunately, you can make this process easier for yourself by:

• Prioritizing local auto shops. National auto shops aren’t a part of the community like local shops, and they don’t share these businesses’ emotional connection to area residents. Instead, these massive chains could charge you rates nearly as high as dealership prices for their services.
• Looking out for service quotes. When an auto shop hopes to scam you, it will do everything it can to conceal the actual cost of its work. But if your shop offers quotes, you’ll know exactly how much you can expect to pay beforehand.
• Asking around. After people in the area get scammed by an auto shop, they want to ensure their neighbors know about it. With that in mind, ask your friends and family about their experiences with auto repair shops and check online reviews for these businesses.

Visit the Best El Paso Auto Repair Shop

At Martin Tire Company, our team goes the extra mile for clients by offering industry-best workmanship, online quotes, and money-saving coupons. Thanks to this commitment to customer service, local residents have counted on our El Paso auto repair shop since 1945.

Do you need car maintenance or auto repair in El Paso? If so, you’re in the right place — get started by scheduling an appointment at Martin Tire today!