I feel like they are charging more than actual cost. I have a 2006 Volvo S60.
For maintenance procedures outlined in your owner’s manual as scheduled service — like oil, filter and fluid changes and tire rotations — you do not have to go to the dealership for the manufacturer to honor your warranty. It’s no secret that dealerships are sometimes a bit pricier than an independent shop or an express oil-change place, and maintenance at these places may be easier to fit into a busy schedule. Just make sure to keep your receipts and have proof that the maintenance was done to your vehicle. If something does go wrong and requires warranty repair, you’ll have proof that it wasn’t caused by a lack of maintenance.
For non-maintenance items — like repairs — it would be a good idea to take your new car to the dealership if it’s still within the warranty; chances are the work will be covered. You also get the peace of mind that factory-trained technicians with the latest repair procedures and diagnostic equipment are performing repairs on your car.
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That answer provided is perfect. I would just add that a good way to keep track of maintenance done outside of a dealership, is to staple the receipts to each page of your maintenance book.
My brother is helping me decide on buying a used car. I'm 20 and trying to get what I can afford. He says stay away from all American Mfg 4 cyclinder cars, no zip to the ride; any American Mfg car with over 50,000 is a waste of money but a foreign car with even 90,000 miles on it is still a steal and has plenty of life left in the car and foreign mfg 4-cyclinder compares even better to a 6 or 8 cyclinder American mfg car. True or false or he just does not know what he is talking about. What are cyclinders and how do they make a car better or worse?
Dear Vonnie West. Your brother is right. For the longest time American manufacturers didn't have the technology to make a reliable 4cyl engines. Do they have it now? Do you want to be the one to find out?... I thought so. Don't take chances. Buy Protege, Civic or Corolla. Put extra thousend or two for it. Remember, cheap one pays twice.
I had to comment about the answer above as it is incorect your car can be serviced by anyone as long as they adhere to the manufacturers service shedule using parts that are the same specification as the origanal equipment if not your warranty is still valid for non service related faults but not if it is on your service shedule and has not been checked be very carefull i had to pay for a new engine due to incorect oil used by a back street garage on a year old car,and the dealer turned out to be £30.quid cheaper than them for that service.
Tony Ross
Selby
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When you buying a car, you need to look at it's future. Before you buy, you ask dealer for scheduled maintanance cost schedule. And you'll see how much will you spend during next "N" years of ownership. You can look into manufacturer maintanance schedule and calculate yourself how much it will cost you.
But as the general rule:
Maintanance or after-warranty repair not need to be done by dealer. Warranty repair will be done by dealer for free.