Dare to Compare: Independent Service Shop vs. Certified Audi Service

The Typical Third-Party Service

In many cases, the average third-party repair service will be a self-owned small business or a franchise. In both, they are operated by a singular owner who has the overall knowledge of the operation and is generally familiar with Audis but isn't always up to date on the latest training as it has a cost for outside parties. The staff may or may not be certified, depending on their own skill pursuits. The business operates more as a generalist service and handles a good amount of work that is common to most cars, Audi or not. Third-parties can specialize in Audi work, but they frequently don't have all the specialized tooling. These businesses will also heavily rely on aftermarket part suppliers as the cost is lower and allows a greater profit margin for the shop.

The Audi Dealership Service Benefits

First off, an Audi dealership technician team is fully Audi factory-certified. This requirement eliminates any self-taught backgrounds and makes sure every technician can function at a full, factory level minimum standard, which is often far more than third-party experience. Second, Audi technician teams have full access to Audi original equipment manufacturer parts (OEM) that perfectly match your car. A big problem with aftermarket parts is that they don't quite fit all the time, requiring some fudging. As a result, they may have performance problems and wear out faster. Finally, certified centers are trusted and validated by major insurance companies far more than third-party services. If there is an accident issue and related repair need a dealership, they will have a higher chance of getting approval than a small operation unknown to an insurance company.

Audi dealerships can also provide additional temporary benefits while your car is being repaired, such as rental car support and online scheduling, to make your valuable time easier to manage when scheduling a service. Most third-party repair services are still in the in-person or phone age for getting a repair completed.

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