Is it safe to leave the car at a 4S shop for repair for several days?
3 Answers
It is very safe to leave your car at a 4S shop for repair, as long as you take away your valuables. Characteristics of 4S shops: Automobile 4S stores are invested and constructed by dealers according to the standards set by automobile manufacturers. They feature unified design both inside and outside the store, with huge investments often exceeding tens of millions, offering a luxurious, grand, and comfortable environment. They can only sell a single brand of cars specially authorized by the manufacturer, providing customers with lower prices, more professional technical support, and more in-depth after-sales services. Unique advantages of 4S shops: Since most 4S shops deal with car brands that have good brand effects, strong competitiveness, and relatively large market shares, brand advantage is their main competitive edge, which is incomparable to other automobile sales models.
I previously saw their maintenance management process at a high-end brand 4S store, and the level of standardization was very high. The repair bays have full video surveillance with recordings retained for 90 days, and customers can check the progress via a mobile app. Workshop tools are managed with chips—technicians must swipe a card for every piece of equipment they use, making it impossible to take anything out of the facility. Customer keys are stored in dedicated lockers with three-tier access control. The key detail is the hidden clause in the repair contract—it explicitly states that any damages will be compensated at the depreciated value of a new car. However, it’s advised not to leave valuables in the car, especially spare keys in the trunk. After disassembling chassis components, a four-wheel alignment test is mandatory, something small workshops often skip.
My car has been in the dealership for repairs seven or eight times, with the longest stay being five days for a major transmission overhaul. The worst incident was when I discovered two cartons of cigarettes missing from the spare tire compartment after picking up the car—only after checking the surveillance footage did I see an apprentice sneakily taking them. Now I've learned my lesson: before handing over the car, I take a complete video walkaround, especially of the odometer and fuel gauge; I have the service advisor count and confirm all items in the car with me, signing a checklist; and I set the wipers to the upright position—if they've been moved, it's very obvious. Oh, and remember to remove your ETC card—a fellow car owner once had their toll fees charged without their knowledge. Honestly, dealerships are much more reliable than roadside shops—at least they don’t allow phones in the workshop.
