I’m a Mechanic: 5 Car Repairs You Should Never Pay a Dealership To Do
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Dealerships charge premium labor rates for repairs that independent shops often handle just as well for less money. Chris Pyle, mechanic and auto expert from JustAnswer, explained which repairs justify dealership costs and which don’t.
“Some repairs should be done by a dealer and some repairs can be done at a lower cost independent shop,” Pyle said. Here’s where you can save without sacrificing quality.
Batteries
Pyle identified batteries as parts “that can be cheaper and work just as well” outside dealerships. A dealership might charge $200 to $300 for a battery that costs $120 to $150 at AutoZone or an independent shop.
The battery itself is often identical: same manufacturer, same specs. You’re paying dealership markup and higher labor rates for a 15-minute installation anyone can do.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades made Pyle’s list of parts to buy elsewhere. Dealerships charge $40 to $60 for wiper blade replacement that takes two minutes. The same quality blades cost $15 to $25 at auto parts stores and install in seconds without tools.
There’s zero advantage to dealership wipers. The parts aren’t better and installation requires no expertise.
Tires
Pyle said tires are another item where dealerships can’t justify their premium. Tire shops specialize in this work, stock more brands and sizes, and charge less for mounting and balancing.
A dealership might charge $150 to $200 per tire plus $100 for installation. Tire shops charge $100 to $140 per tire with free installation and lifetime rotation. You’re saving $200 to $400 on a set of four tires with better selection.
Basic Maintenance Services
“Doing basic repairs like brakes, fluids, filters or a tune-up. Those can be done outside the dealer for lower labor per hour rates,” Pyle explained.
Dealership labor rates run $150 to $200 per hour. Independent shops charge $100 to $130 per hour for identical work. An oil change, brake job or air filter replacement at a dealership costs 30% to 50% more than independent shops without quality differences.
Pyle recommended “using OEM parts for many of those tasks” even when going to independent shops. You can buy OEM parts yourself and have independent shops install them, combining factory quality with lower labor costs.
Dealership Add-Ons When Buying New Cars
Pyle warned strongly about dealership sticker bumps — extras added to MSRP that provide minimal value at premium prices.
“Do not pay for those in your car purchasing deal,” he said, listing three common things to avoid if possible:
- Interior protection: “They sprayed some Scotch Guard on the seats and carpet, likely missing most of it, charging $200 to 300 for the upcharge.” You can buy Scotch Guard for $10 and apply it yourself.
- Paint protection: “They sprayed some liquid wax on it and wiped off the excess in minutes. It may last 30 days. They charge $300 to $500 for this wimpy wax.” Quality ceramic coating from detail shops costs similar amounts but actually lasts years.
- Theft protection: “They add an additional anti-theft system in the car, which is not needed; it already has anti-theft. Often it fails and strands you, because it is cheap junk. $400 upcharge.” Modern cars have factory anti-theft systems that work better than aftermarket add-ons.
When Dealerships Are Worth It
Pyle acknowledged dealerships have advantages for certain repairs. “Those techs, 95% of the time, only work on that brand and are trained to work on them,” he explained. A Honda dealer technician works on Accords constantly and knows them thoroughly.
Modern cars need specialized programming for many electronic repairs. “That can involve a high-dollar scan tool and procedure needed that only a dealer can do,” Pyle said.
Dealerships also use OEM parts and provide one- to two-year warranties covering tow, diagnosis and repair at any dealer nationwide. For complex electronic issues or warranty work, dealerships justify their costs.
But for batteries, wipers, tires, basic maintenance and especially new car add-ons, you’re often paying premiums for nothing.
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