When it comes to car repairs, a Consumer Reports’ survey finds that Tesla scored higher than any other dealership or independent service center for overall satisfaction. It’s the only company to get top marks across the board for its on-time repairs, courtesy, price, and quality.
Consumer Reports says the fact that Tesla is a young company is an advantage. It has a relatively small number of customers to satisfy compared with the more established luxury brands.
Still, overall the survey, which is based on more than 120,000 vehicles, shows that customers are pretty happy with repairs at many upscale dealerships. Those include Buick, Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus, and Porsche and Acura.
But just because you have an expensive car doesn’t mean you’ll be totally thrilled with repairs at the dealership. Mercedes, Jaguar, and Mini dealerships got dinged in Consumer Reports’ survey for price. The customers feel that they overpay for parts and labor.
Are you better off going to an independent repair shop rather than the dealership? Consumer Reports’ survey finds that customers are generally happier with their mom-and-pop shops. They scored higher for quality, price, timeliness, and courtesy.
You may think car repairs are non-negotiable, but the Consumer Reports’ survey shows that haggling can pay off. Although only 19 percent of those surveyed tried bargaining, most who did were able to save some cash. The median savings turned out to be $94 at independent repair shops and $120 at dealerships.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports’ website.
