The Low Down on Car Service Plans
Chances are that if you’ve been to a dealership to buy a car, your salesman offered you a prepaid service or auto maintenance plans. But with all the sales gimmicks on the market, it’s hard to tell if it’s a good deal or not. Well, our auto body repair shop in Denver is here to give you the scoop on how to determine if a service plan is a good idea for your vehicle.
What is a Pre-Paid Auto Maintenance Plan?
Pre-paid service plans cover the scheduled maintenance that your vehicle will require over a certain amount of time or miles. To be clear, this is not an extended warranty, and generally will only cover the maintenance which is explicitly stated in the plan’s contract (generally the maintenance recommended by your vehicle’s owner’s manual).
Is a Service Play Worth it in the Long Run?
While they may seem like a good deal up front, like all package offerings, service plans have benefits and cons which you should consider before investing. Let’s break it down:
Pros
1) Fixed Maintenance Costs: Instead of worrying about inflation of repair costs in the years to come, service plans lock in repair prices. This is good for those who are trying to stabilize their budgets and not have to worry about future repairs
2) Discounted Prices: Service providers will generally discount the prices of individual services included in the plan to make them more attractive to consumers. This can be great if you plan on fulfilling all of the service recommendations for your vehicle.
3) Simplicity: Instead of browsing around for prices at different shops, service plans make the process much easier. Generally the service provider will contact you to let you know your car is in need of maintenance, which leaves one less thing to think about.
Cons
1) Modern Cars Require Low Maintenance: Most new vehicles do not require very much maintenance for the first 50,000 miles beyond oil changes and tire rotations. Generally, a service plan will exceed the cost that you would spend on individual maintenance costs.
2) Longer Intervals between Servicing: Many times service plans have intervals which exceed those recommended by the owner’s manual. For example, changing the oil every 10,000 miles as opposed to the 7,500 miles recommended for most vehicles.
Bottom Line
It is important to remember that not all service plans are the same and you must look at the fine print to really determine if it is beneficial. And remember that if you are buying at as an add-on to your vehicle, you can always try to negotiate a better price. Take a look at the maintenance your vehicle will need and do a quick cost comparison. If it doesn’t seem to add up, make sure to come down to Accurate Auto Body for the best service in Denver.
How to use this information
At Accurate Auto Body, we can help with you with the serious stuff. While we always want to ensure your car is healthy and running correctly, we can help when it needs auto body repair, dent repair or even car refinishing. We will always help you 303-344-2122 or contact us through our website for more information and we will be happy help!
Have your service plans in the past helped you save money or spend more?
