Consumer Reports: Save Hundreds on Auto Maintenance by Shopping Around
Consumers can save hundreds on auto maintenance by comparison shopping and calling several dealerships and independent shops, according to a new analysis in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto issue.
When budgets get tight, many people are tempted to cut back on their regular car maintenance. But that can lead to serious repair problems and even larger bills down the road. Drivers can save a lot of money on maintenance simply by shopping around.
CR’s experts called dozens of dealers and repair shops throughout the country to get quotes for regular maintenance service on three popular models. In the case of the 2004 Ford Explorer, they asked for the cost of a 60,000-mile checkup and found prices varied by as much as $252, even among Ford dealers in the same general area.
In addition, they found that dealers often wanted to charge for extra work that the automaker doesn’t require. CR discovered this when they compared the service items included in quotes with the maintenance lists in the owner’s manuals. They also found that quotes from independent shops that included all the items in the manual were sometimes $150 below the cheapest dealer.
“Consumers are feeling the pinch these days, but with a little detective work, they can save hundreds, while still taking proper care of their vehicles,” said Rik Paul, Automotive Editor, Consumer Reports.
Read full press release here: Consumer Reports: Save Hundreds on Auto Maintenance by Shopping Around.
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