What's the Difference Between a 4S Store and a Dealer?
2 Answers
4S Store and Dealer Differences: Ownership: The cars in a 4S store are owned by the manufacturer, while dealers are usually privately invested, and the cars belong to the dealers themselves. Service Brand: A 4S store serves only one car brand, whereas dealers sell cars from various brands. Service Scope: A 4S store integrates car sales, maintenance, parts, repairs, and information services into one-stop after-sales service; dealers, however, only handle sales and do not provide after-sales services like registration. Maintenance Period: Cars sold by a 4S store can receive after-sales services like maintenance and repairs at any 4S store nationwide within the warranty period, while dealers' after-sales services usually have time restrictions.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the difference between 4S shops and regular dealers is quite significant. 4S shops are usually brand-exclusive. For example, when I go to a Toyota 4S shop to buy a car, they can sell new vehicles, provide original parts, warranty services, and owner feedback—everything is officially linked. The prices might be higher, but the quality is reliable. Dealers are more generalized, including but not limited to 4S shops. They might also refer to small roadside shops selling used cars or non-brand vehicles, where service quality isn’t guaranteed to meet original standards. Like last time, my friend tried to save money by going to a dealer for repairs, ended up with non-original parts, and faced a bunch of issues. For new cars, buying from a 4S shop is more reassuring. For used cars, if you’re on a budget, you can find a reliable dealer—saving time and hassle is key.
