Should I Get My Car Serviced at a 4S Shop or an Independent Garage?

[WilliamMarie]

Whether to get your car serviced at a 4S shop or an independent garage depends on the situation: during the warranty period, it's advisable to service at a 4S shop; after the warranty expires, you can choose either. From an economic standpoint, servicing at an independent garage is recommended post-warranty. However, while 4S shops are more expensive, they are generally more reliable compared to independent garages. If a car is not serviced at a manufacturer-authorized 4S shop, the manufacturer cannot waive its three-guarantee responsibility for issues unrelated to the service. Although this is theoretically the case, it's often difficult to enforce in reality. 4S shops may require the car owner to provide sufficient and legitimate evidence proving that the problematic parts were not affected during servicing at an independent garage.