Ensuring that your Mercedes is serviced regularly and properly will keep it running smoothly, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and preserve its resale value. But should you get your car serviced by an independent specialist garage, or a main dealer service centre? In this article, we’ll be comparing these two options so you can decide which is best your your vehicle.
Mercedes Dealership vs Independent Specialist Garages
| Independent Specialist Garage | Main Dealer Service Centre |
| Average service cost £300-£700 | Average service cost £400-£700 |
| Uses either OEM or aftermarket parts | Uses only OEM parts |
| Experience of the technicians can vary | Always carried out by Mercedes-trained technicians |
Labour Rates
One of the main differences between services carried out at a Mercedes dealership and an independent garage, is the cost. On average, an independent garage can cost between 10-25% less than a main dealer service centre for a routine service. The main reason is due to lower labour rates and overheads.
When you choose a main dealer service centre, you’re paying an inflated price. This helps covers their high overheads such as increased labour rates and expensive showrooms. With an independent garage which usually has leaner running costs, you can take advantage of the lower prices without sacrificing the level of service carried out on your vehicle.
Parts Availability
When you choose a main dealer, your car will only be serviced using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. With an independent specialist garage, you’ll get the choice between OEM parts, and high-quality aftermarket alternatives.
If your vehicle is still under Mercedes warranty, then independent garages can use OEM parts to preserve the warranty. If on the other hand, the car is out of the manufacturer’s warranty period (currently 36-months on new Mercedes cars), then high-quality alternative parts can also be used.
In some cases, the alternative parts offer better durability and performance, with the added benefit of costing less. Choosing an independent specialist gives you much more flexibility when choosing parts to ensure the vehicle is maintained cost-effectively, and to a high standard.
Training & Experience
When you get your vehicle serviced at a dealership’s service centre, it will be carried out by a Mercedes-trained technician. This is useful as they have a lot of experience and knowledge of working with these particular cars.
When choosing an independent garage, the level of experience that the technician has can vary considerably. That’s why it’s always a good idea to use a specialist Mercedes garage to ensure that the technician carries out the service to the same standard as a dealership would.
Here at Recharged Automotive, we are Mercedes specialists and our technicians are dealer-trained and have years of experience working with the brand.
Maintaining the Manufacturer’s Warranty
It’s a common misconception that in order to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty, that the vehicle needs to be serviced at a main dealership, however, this is untrue. You do not need to have your Mercedes-Benz serviced at a main dealer in order to still maintain the manufacture’s warranty.
The car can still be serviced at a VAT registered independent garage, providing that the manufacture’s’ servicing schedule is followed using OEM Mercedes parts, and that all the work is documented. This means you can take advantage of the reduced labour costs of an independent garage, and still maintain your warranty.
It’s important to note though, that although routine maintenance can still be carried out at an independent garage, any warranty repairs will still need to be performed by the Mercedes dealership.
Book a Mercedes Service in Worcester
Here at Recharged Automotive, we are proud to offer high-quality and competitively priced servicing for Mercedes vehicles. We also only use genuine OEM or high-quality parts which come with a guarantee. As the leading specialists in Worcester with over 30 years of experience working on Mercedes cars, we’re the place to call when you’re looking to get your vehicle serviced. Get in touch today by calling 01905 915121