What is the difference between car maintenance at a 4S shop and outside?
2 Answers
The differences between car maintenance at a 4S shop and outside are as follows: 1. Different reliability: Maintenance at a 4S shop is more reliable because 4S shops communicate with car manufacturers and have a better understanding of the vehicle model. They are equipped with corresponding tools for the specific model, and the replacement parts used in 4S shops are generally genuine, ensuring reliability. The overall skill level of technicians is also relatively professional. In contrast, maintenance at repair shops has the most prominent advantage of lower prices, and the speed of maintenance or repairs is relatively faster. You can choose the engine oil yourself or even purchase it online and pay a service fee for the repair shop to perform the maintenance. During the process, you can also "supervise" the work. However, the drawbacks are also obvious: the technical level of repair shops varies compared to 4S shops, and there is a lack of a comprehensive supervision system. 2. Different prices: Maintenance at a 4S shop is more secure but more expensive, while maintenance at auto repair shops is cheaper but carries higher risks.
In my years of car maintenance experience, what I value most about 4S店保养 is quality and professionalism. They use genuine parts, and technicians undergo rigorous brand training, performing comprehensive inspections including potential issues with the engine, brakes, and more. While outside maintenance may be cheaper, the source of parts is unclear. I've seen friends save money by using off-brand engine oil, only to damage their engines and end up spending more on repairs later. 4S店 also provides complete service records, which can increase the car's resale value. Although their fees are higher and appointments might require waiting, in the long run, they ensure the car's longevity and safety, especially during the new car warranty period—it's not worth the risk to go elsewhere.
