All vehicles require maintenance and will likely require repairs at some point or another. When that time arrives, most car owners will find a mechanic in their area to do the work. However, BMW owners may need to consider where they take their vehicles for service. As a foreign car, BMWs have unique diagnostic and repair requirements, and it’s essential to have an experienced BMW mechanic handle your vehicle. But should that mechanic be from the dealership, or is it okay to find another certified BMW mechanic elsewhere? Keep reading to find out.
Why is BMW Certification Important?
First, you should understand why you can’t take your BMW to just any mechanic. As mentioned above, BMWs are foreign cars and have slightly different diagnostic systems in their onboard computers. Take your vehicle to an average mechanic. They likely won’t have the proper diagnostic tools for your car, so they’re more likely to miss any underlying issues that aren’t readily apparent when they’re servicing your vehicle. Additionally, knowing your mechanic has been certified by your car’s manufacturer gives you peace of mind that they know how to care for and repair a high-performance vehicle like yours properly.
It’s worth noting that BMW dealers will undoubtedly have their mechanics certified as BMW experts. However, that’s not the only place that you can find a BMW-certified mechanic, so here are a few good reasons to shop around a bit.
Dealerships Are More Expensive
It’s almost guaranteed that having your car serviced at the dealership is going to cost more than taking it to another mechanic. This is primarily due to the differences in service and labor rates. While dealerships generally charge about $165 an hour for labor, a quality body shop elsewhere will likely charge you closer to $112 per hour for the labor of a BMW mechanic of an equal caliber. All in all, finding a BMW-certified technician at another shop could save you upwards of 20% on your repair bill.
All BMW Mechanics Can Honor Warranties
Many BMW owners believe they must have work done at a dealership to protect their warranties. However, this is not true. Any mechanic certified by the manufacturer can perform work on your vehicle while maintaining the manufacturer’s warranty.
Find One Closer to You
Often, a BMW dealership can be a fair distance from your home, while there might be a BMW-certified mechanic much closer to you. Rather than trying to work out transportation to a distant dealership, you can find a much closer mechanic and still get some of the best BMW repair in Houston, TX.
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