Should you get your car serviced at an independent garage?

THIRD-PARTY REPAIRS

My query is on servicing my Skoda Octavia after the initial warranty is over. Skoda cars are expensive and the servicing costs have been going up recently. Dealers try to push packages for service or additional warranty, as that is where they make money. Is it safe to have the car serviced by third party service companies like myTVS or Go Mechanic? A primary concern is getting genuine spare parts for any repairs.

Mario Aranha, Mumbai

For basic maintenance jobs like engine oil change, brake pad replacement and AC servicing, among other things, it’s alright to get your Octavia serviced at an independent garage. However, remember that the Octavia is a complex machine that’s loaded with electronics and only a well-trained technician with the right diagnostic tools can understand problems better.

Therefore, for any work on the engine, gearbox or electricals, we would still advise going to an authorised Skoda service centre, despite chances of incurring a higher cost.

A technician who is used to dealing with cars from within the Skoda family would know the intricacies of the Octavia better than someone attending to multiple brands. Moreover, all carmakers make their workshop advisors and technicians undergo a stringent training schedule throughout the year to keep their skills up to date.