Garages: how to find a car repair shop in your area
Whether for a service or repairs: choosing a garage can be a challenge. Comparis explains what to consider and answers the key questions.
07.11.2024
iStock/SimonSkafar
1. How do I choose the right garage?
For many drivers, the first port of call is the garage where the vehicle was purchased. A warranty contract is usually taken out there at the time of purchase. This states where servicing and repairs should be carried out. These agreements often include discounts.
Depending on the distance from where you live, it may not be worthwhile to go to the garage the vehicle was purchased from. Here’s what to keep in mind when looking for a new garage:
Are you looking for a garage near where you live or work? Then ask around among your friends, family or neighbours. Maybe someone close to you has already had a good experience with a car repair workshop.
Tip: have you heard a number of good suggestions? Then simply try out a garage – such as for changing tyres.
What needs to be done to your car? And which make do you drive? These can be important questions. Some workshops specialize in certain car brands or vehicle types.
There are numerous workshop networks (not available in English) in Switzerland. These are associations of independent garages. Participating garages benefit from the network’s professional image and fast spare parts management. You can count on these garages to provide a good-quality service.
Tip: the advantage of using dealerships or workshop networks is that there are plenty of locations to choose from. You just pick the most convenient one for you.
A range of websites offer searchable garage directories. Auto Gewerbe Verband (AGVS) offers a list of around 4,000 member garages (not available in English). However, there are many other online platforms where you can also get quotes.
2. What are the different car garage directories?
Various platforms will help you find a car garage nearby:
3. Can I have my car repaired at a different garage from the one where I bought it?
In principle, you are free to choose the garage. Minor repairs in particular, such as buffing out a scratch, can be done anywhere.
However, some dealers offer warranties attached to certain conditions when you buy a vehicle. In this case, you should go to your dealer or at least a partner garage for major repairs. This is because, depending on the age of the vehicle and the damage, the repair may still be covered by the warranty.
Also keep your car insurance in mind when selecting a garage. Did you exclude a free choice of garage from your insurance policy? In the event of a claim, you must go to a workshop specified by the insurance company.
4. Can I have my car serviced at a different garage from the one where I bought it?
Generally, any garage can also carry out the regular service and enter it in the service log book. However, you should check first whether you got free servicing for a number of years when you bought the vehicle.
Many dealers offer these kinds of service packages. Did you buy your vehicle from an official dealership, for example? It may be worth having the service carried out there too.
Here too, some manufacturers only grant the warranty if you take the vehicle there for servicing.
Factory warranty
The manufacturer’s factory warranty is usually two to three years. The warranty will also be granted if the car is taken to a different garage for servicing. It’s important that you stick to the defined intervals depending on the time and number of kilometres.
5. What do I need to look out for when booking my car in?
Found the right garage? Keep a few things in mind to make sure you are satisfied with the result.
Formulate your wishes clearly and preferably in writing. Use questions to check whether the garage owner has understood what you want. This will help you to avoid any disputes with the garage.
Request a cost estimate and agree on a cost ceiling. If the garage discovers further damage or defects during the repair, you should be informed.
You can often be overcharged for consumables. For example: in the case of diesel vehicles, the refilling of “AdBlue” is often carried out when visiting the garage. This can get expensive! That’s because the amount billed is several times higher than the price per litre charged at a fuel station.
The warning light on your dashboard will appear if the tank needs to be topped up. The same applies to windscreen washer fluid.
When concluding the contract, discuss exactly what should and may be done.
6. What are the annual costs of servicing and repairs?
Take your car to be serviced regularly. This way, you avoid serious problems. Intervals between services vary between makes and models. As a rule, they should take place every 15,000–30,000 kilometres or every 12 or 24 months.
The garage will enter the service in the service log book. Remember that a full service history will help you achieve a better resale price.
Ongoing costs
On average, a car will cost you between 600 and 1,000 francs for every 10,000 kilometres driven. This calculation is for all the costs incurred.
The costs of servicing and repairs depend chiefly on the vehicle and your driving behaviour. According to TCS (not available in English), you pay 375–600 francs per 15,000 kilometres driven.
Damage to the engine, gears or clutch can easily cost you a lot more. Replacing the timing chain is another hefty expense, which will usually set you back over 2,000 francs. Electronic faults can also be expensive.
Comparis tip: if your running costs are much higher than expected, it may be time for a new car. Comparis can help you find what you’re looking for.
This article was first published on 09.08.2021
