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Getting BMW Service from Local Mechanic vs Authorised Service Centre

Updated: Aug 29, 2023

If you are the proud owner of a BMW, then where would you get it serviced from? From a local auto mechanic or at a BMW service centre? Many auto owners have to face this dilemma. In fact, there are several factors that you have to consider while making this decision, including cost of service, quality of service, authenticity of the spare parts, rapport with your mechanic, etc. There are various pros and cons related to getting your car serviced from local workshop and from an authorised centre.


Here, we will give you an idea about what you need to consider while making your final decision.


Warranty: If your BMW is under warranty, then you must consider going to an authorised BMW service centre  without any doubt. But if the warranty period is over, then you can think about going to a local garage or an independent workshop. However, you have to choose the workshop carefully, and ensure their quality of service, authenticity of parts, with other factors. Even if your car is in warranty, you can have filter and oil changes done at a local workshop without lapsing its warranty.


Expertise: If you go to a local workshop for your BMW service, then you should be extremely careful about choosing your mechanic. While you must personally supervise their work as they service your car, time may be a big factor for you. So, before handing over your BMW to a local mechanic, make sure that you trust them completely for their work. If your car service does not involve any complex job, then taking it to an independent service centre may save you a lot of money. However, make sure that the oil, filters and spare parts that they are using are genuine. Saving money on labour cost is one of the biggest advantages of approaching a local workshop. Although the cost of oil and parts will be the same, they prove to be much cheaper in terms of labour charges.


Technological Advancement: BMW is reputed for making new generation vehicles that are highly advanced in technology and are equipped with latest electronic systems, like ignition, entertainment, fuel and ECU systems. So, if you visit an authorised BMW service centre, you will certainly be receiving technologically advanced service. But if you take your car to a local mechanic, they may not have the latest tools and equipment to service your car, and may not have the knowledge of the advanced systems of BMW as well.


Advantage on Resale: Taking your car to an authorised service centre gives you definite advantage when it comes to reselling it. Getting your car serviced from an authorised centre creates an excellent service history for your asset, which proves to be highly helpful at the time of resale, especially in case of a premium car like a BMW. If your car has a history of service from an authorised centre only, then your prospective buyer will be able to verify its service record and happily pay more for it.


Quality Work: Even if you are getting a cosmetic upgrade done on your car, such as painting or denting, the work done by a local mechanic may show up the dissimilarity on your car’s body. For example, a part repainted at an independent workshop may not match the rest of your car. However, an authorised BMW service centre are specialists in repainting jobs and will have the right paints and equipment to give it the exact colour and look.

It is a misconception that getting car serviced from an authorised service centre is always expensive. Usually, visit to a service centre is needed only once or twice a year, unless some major repair job is needed. Visit to a BMW service centre may be slightly expensive in comparison to a local workshop, but the quality of work they deliver is really worth it.

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