It鈥檚 hard to know when you should take your car to the dealership for service, and when you can opt to visit a local independent mechanic. If you don鈥檛 think there is a difference in cost, consider this: On average, car owners save an estimated $300-plus a year by opting for an independent repair shop versus the car dealership. In some cases, the dealership service center can make more sense for recalls, warranty work, or very complex repair issues. For many jobs, however, finding the right independent repair shop and utilizing it can save you hundreds of dollars. Don't worry that you might lose your warranty. That's a myth.
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