Car servicing and repair: how to find a good garage
A good garage is worth its weight in gold. Comparis explains how to find a trustworthy garage and what to watch out for when booking your car in. With links to comparison portals.
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Bought a new car? To make sure you can enjoy it for a long time to come, you need a garage you can trust. Comparis explains what to watch out for when choosing.
Whether you need a service or a repair, it’s important to be able to trust the mechanics. There are countless garages in Switzerland. These tips will help you find the right one.
How do I find the right garage?
For many people, the first port of call will automatically be the garage where the vehicle was purchased. As a rule, a warranty agreement is concluded at the time of purchase which states how and where servicing and repairs will be carried out. Some garages also give discounts on servicing or repairs to build customer loyalty. However, depending on the garage's location, a reduction of this kind may not be worth a detour.
Ask around
In that case, choose a garage close to your home or place of work. Ask around among colleagues, family members and neighbours. If you have several options to choose from, you can also try a garage out first – when your tyres need changing, for example.
Use the Internet
A number of websites provide searchable garage directories. The Auto Gewerbe Verband (AGVS), for example, is an official industry association that provides an online list of around 4,000 member garages (in German, French and Italian only). Other online platforms allow you to request quotes.
Look for membership of a workshop network
There are also many workshop networks in Switzerland (e.g. le Garage, Autofit, Just Drive etc.). These are alliances of independent garages under a single name. Participating garages benefit from the network’s professional image as well as access to an efficient spare parts management system. You can rely on these garages to provide a good-quality service.
Tip:
the advantage of using dealers or garage networks is that there are plenty of locations to choose from. You just pick the most convenient one for you.
Can I have my car repaired at a different garage from the one where I bought it?
Generally speaking, you are free to choose any garage. Minor repairs in particular, such as changing a windscreen wiper or buffing out a scratch, can basically be done anywhere. You should consider your choice of garage rather more carefully if you have a newer car or there is major work to be done. For some makes, you can obtain warranty terms over and above the manufacturer's warranty when you buy a new car. If you took out such a warranty when you purchased your vehicle, 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 bear your car insurance in mind when selecting a garage. If you excluded free choice of garage from your insurance, you have to go to the garage stipulated by your insurer in the event of a claim.
Can I have my car serviced at a different garage from the one where I bought it?
Basically, 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 multiple-year free servicing when you bought the vehicle. A number of dealers offer their customers such service packages to gain their long-term loyalty. For example, if you bought the vehicle from an official dealership and your vehicle is fairly new, it may be worth your while to have services carried out there as well.
Once again, certain brands may only give you the extended warranty if you send the vehicle for servicing to the specified dealers. Note that the manufacturer’s factory warranty (normally two to three years) will still apply if the car is taken to a different garage for servicing. Only the specific time and mileage intervals have to be adhered to. The same applies to second-hand cars: in many places, second-hand car dealers offer a special warranty package. Repairs then have to be carried out at the dealer’s own workshop.
Where can I compare garages?
You’ll find a range of platforms online that can help you choose a garage:
| Portal | Content | Pros | Cons | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tcs.ch | Everything you need to know about cars and mobility | Information on almost every subject Up-to-the-minute legal information | – | Membership available with a range of add-on services (e.g. roadside assistance in Switzerland and abroad) |
| Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz | Directory of 4,000 members in Switzerland | Quick search by location and name Option to include AutoEnergieCheck |
Presentation confusing Info not always up to date |
Useful tool Lots of additional information |
| carhelper.ch | Garage comparison | Fast access to pricing Several garages to choose from |
Small number of garages (450) | Good system Interesting blog |
| autofit.ch | Directory of Autofit network’s garages | Clearly structured search with map view | Only the network's own garages (290) | Online guide |
| repcheck.ch | Quote request function (> 2,000 garages listed across Switzerland) | Quotes from garages within a 15 km radius Up to 5 quotes per request |
Need to know exactly what repairs you need | Lots of tips for tech-savvy car users |
| local.ch | Directory of all garages in Switzerland | Link to online appointment booking | Just a directory of addresses, no assessment of quality | Primarily useful as directory |
| garage-vergleich.ch | Directory of garages | Direct link for requesting quotes Customer reviews available | No direct link to website | Comprehensive directory Useful guide on website |
| auto-doc.ch | Online dealer in spare parts with directory of garages | Quick search for spare parts | Only 30 garages in Switzerland | More suitable for do-it-yourself repairers |
| vfas.ch | Directory of service centres of the Swiss Association of Independent Vehicle Traders | Clearly structured search with map view | Only the network's own service centres (300) | Primarily useful as a directory |
What do I need to look out for when booking my car in?
State your requirements clearly
Found a garage? Show them your car and be clear about you want them to fix. This will help you to avoid any disputes with the garage. Ask for a cost estimate for the desired repair and if appropriate agree on a cost ceiling. If further damage or defects are discovered during the repair, the garage should let you know. Then you yourself can decide on how to proceed.
Don’t get caught out with consumables
You can often be overcharged for consumables. For example: in modern diesel vehicles, AdBlue, a solution of urea and water, is used to reduce pollution. Garages often top it up when carrying out other work. This can be expensive, because the amount billed is a multiple of the price per litre charged at a petrol station. So fill it up yourself and make sure the garage is very clear about what work you want them to do. The warning light on your dashboard will appear if the tank needs to be topped up. The same applies to windscreen washer fluid.
What are the annual costs of servicing and repairs?
Take your car to be serviced regularly. This will help prevent accidents and ensure that the car retains its value for longer. Intervals between services vary from one make to another. As a rule, they take place every 15,000 to 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.
On average, you can expect to spend between 600 and 1,000 francs on your car for every 10,000 kilometres driven. This calculation is for all the costs incurred. The costs of servicing and repairs can only be estimated. The older the car, the more likely you are to need repair work doing. According to TCS (in German, French and Italian only), around 7.8% of the annual costs are incurred by repairs and servicing. Assuming a total cost of 10,000 francs, 780 francs will therefore be spent on repairs and servicing.
However, these are average figures. 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 costly. Ultimately, you have to be able to trust your garage, so it is worth investing some time in searching for a good one.
Tip:
before you decide on a new car, take a look at the breakdown statistics as well (in German only). They can provide a valuable indication of the maintenance costs your future vehicle is likely to incur.