We might ask, “Is car maintenance worth it?” After all, car service plans are one of the most popular items that a dealership will offer to you when you buy a new vehicle. In most cases, the answer is yes. With its routine checks and maintenance, a car service plan will keep your car in top condition and reduce the chance of unexpected repairs. We have listed the main reasons you should have a car maintenance plan.
With its routine checksups and maintenance, a car service plan will keep your car in top condition. This will reduce the chance of unexpected repairs.
The costs
Service plans are rarely a profit center for dealers and manufacturers. Their main goal is to bring you back to the dealer so that they can offer other products or services. Most service plans come at very affordable prices. This can save you a lot more money over the long-term than having to do ad-hoc repairs or maintenance at a dealership.
A car service plan’s prices are determined at the point of sale. This means that there is no need for you to worry about labor and parts costs rising.
While independent garages may offer lower rates, dealers can avoid hidden fees. Independent garages are not guaranteed to use genuine parts or have the knowledge and expertise to properly care for your vehicle. Do you really want to have to pay for costly repairs later because of poor servicing? While you may incur a higher cost, the car maintenance plan is worth it.
Some car manufacturers will offer to increase the residual value of leased cars if you choose a service plan. You will pay less for car servicing plans because the dealership transfers the savings to customers.
Many car dealerships offer special perks as part of their car service plans. These perks can include discounts on labor or parts, or a free wash and vacuum. These can help you save money on car maintenance.
The Assurance
You don’t have to worry about unexpected costs for car maintenance because you have a fixed monthly fee. You can also be sure that the mechanics performing the service are skilled and knowledgeable. Also, the parts used will not cause any problems in the future.
Regular car servicing is a good idea if your warranty covers your vehicle. This will help to prevent any warranty being voided. You will have peace of mind knowing that the warranty is valid and you won’t be in financial trouble if it doesn’t work out. This applies especially to cars with high mileage that need to be serviced more often than once a year.
You can also have your car serviced by dealers to identify any problems with its vital components. This will allow you to fix the problem before it becomes too expensive.
The Convenience
Car service plans simplify and streamline the car maintenance process. It will let you know when your car is due for servicing and what parts need to be replaced. It gives you more stability in your budgeting because the costs have already been paid for. This reduces the need to make decisions and allows you to spend more time on other tasks. A car service plan offers greater security than ad-hoc servicing. You can’t really price that.
You can bundle your car service plan with your monthly car finance payment if your car is a lease.
Allows for a better car’s value
A service plan can help slow down the car’s depreciation and keep it at a high resale price. You can show proof of regular servicing and maintenance, as well as genuine parts used in repairs. This will add value to your car’s history.
Which Car Service Plan Should You Choose?
Two types of car service plans are available to you when your car is purchased. One offered by the car manufacturer and one offered by the dealer. While the first covers basic servicing, the second has the advantage of being flexible as all franchise agreements will be honored. While the second plan offered by dealers typically includes more perks, incentives and coverage, it is limited to the particular dealer.
If the dealership is close to your home and doesn’t see many customers often, then this second option might be more feasible.
Here are some additional things to know
After we have discussed the benefits of a service program, let’s now look at some other information that can help you get the most from your service plan.
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The Real Mileage
Be sure to verify the actual miles covered by your service plan before you buy it. Although a 100,000-mile plan might seem appealing, if your car has covered 20,000 miles, it could actually cover 80,000 miles. Check with your dealership manager to confirm if this is true.
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Details about Coverage
Ask exactly what the car plan covers, other than basic maintenance. Some car service plans do not cover certain replacement items such as tires and brake discs. Once you know what is included and what is not, weigh the benefits and costs accordingly.
Also, ensure that dealers follow the recommended servicing schedule for your car. Also, make sure that the warranty covers the same coverage as the plan. It would not be a good idea to pay more for what is already covered.
It’s also a good idea to compare different car service plans and the coverage offered by each dealership.
