Audi dealers adore bragging about their specialized maintenance. However, when it comes to regular maintenance visits, we are all aware of how expensive those Audi dealerships can be.
The dirty little secret is that you don’t need to take your Audi to the dealer for maintenance, repairs, or any other form of service. Although you have a choice as to where you take your automobile for service, the dealership wants you to feel obligated to use them. The truth is that bringing your car to an independent garage will result in superior servicing. Here are several reasons to choose a mobile Audi mechanic over an Audi shop.
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They Are Less Expensive
Audi dealerships are upscale establishments. Modern construction and showrooms costing millions of dollars are not self-sustaining. In reality, visits to the service facility generate a sizable profit for Audi dealerships. In actuality, independent Audi mechanics are typically less expensive. They avoid all the expenses associated with maintaining an Audi dealership as a result.
Why should an oil change or tire rotation cost more? An independent Audi mechanic can complete the same task for a lot less money and with outstanding results.
Most Independent Audi Shops Are Interested In Keeping Your Car Running Longer
When you bring your Audi into a dealership, you are essentially treated as a nameless consumer. Independent Audi dealers are unique. These businesses place a strong emphasis on developing relationships with their clients. They take delight in their work and know everyone of their clients by name. If you truly care about your Audi, you should entrust it to mechanics who are motivated to preserve the life of your automobile.
Audi Mechanics Have the Same Tools and Computers as a Dealership and Oftentimes Even More
Audi dealerships are proud of their cutting-edge servicing department. The truth is that a reputable independent Audi shop will have the exact same tools. In fact, some independent Audi repair facilities will go above and beyond by possessing even more sophisticated diagnostic equipment. That’s because the independent Audi dealers are aware that in order to attract customers, they must go above and beyond.
Avoid believing the claims made by Audi dealerships that they are the only ones qualified to service your car. Independent stores also offer excellent Audi service.
Independent Shops Usually Have Audi Mechanics that Know the Brand Better than the Dealership Because They are Seasoned Career Mechanics
You might be surprised to learn that dealership service facilities have high turnover. In other words, it will be fortunate if the same mechanic services your car twice at a dealership. Career technicians who work in independent Audi shops typically serve the same clients year after year. This implies that you will have a single skilled professional that can service your car for many years. Knowing that the same individual is constantly inspecting your Audi’s engine will give you greater peace of mind. They will be able to identify a potential issue right away because they are familiar with your car.
Many Audi Shops Are Enthusiasts and Know Tricks, Tips, Etc. to Get Better Performance or More Life Out of Your Car
Independent Audi mechanics frequently have a passion for the brand. They will therefore be aware of the small hacks and techniques to make the most of your car. You should absolutely take your vehicle to an independent Audi shop for maintenance if you own an Audi S or RS model. You can achieve the edge you seek and increase your performance. Even if you don’t drive a high-performance Audi car, independent shops can extend the life of your Audi.
Audi Shops Are Also Better for Out-of-Warranty Models
Have you had your Audi for more than five years? The majority of Audi dealership service departments often work on newer model cars. This indicates that these dealerships might lack the expertise needed to properly service your older model Audi.
Both new and older model Audi vehicles are frequently serviced at independent Audi shops. Your out-of-warranty Audi will be properly handled by them so that it lasts as long as feasible.
Independent Audi Shops Aren’t Going to Try to “Upsell You All the Time
Have you ever had your tires rotated at a dealership and received the “difficult sales pitch for new brakes and tires? Dealerships offer a variety of “The service center has a system in place to try to get every dollar out of each customer who drives in.
You won’t encounter the pushy corporate sales tactics at a local Audi dealership. Instead, you get the service you asked for. The independent Audi mechanic may advise more work depending on what they observe during your service so that you may discuss any potential impending maintenance your car may require, but it will always be in your automobile’s best interests. Unlike Audi dealerships, these independent Audi shops won’t make a hard sell to you.
An Independent Shop Can Be More Nimble When It Comes to Routine Service
Have you ever spent more time than expected at a dealership repair center? Well, delays are usual at dealership service centers since they frequently become overrun with cars.
An independent shop will be more adaptable and able to finish your routine service more quickly. Your time is valuable, and a local store will typically get you back on the road more quickly.
Independent Shops Can Provide Customized Solutions
A 60,000-mile service or a 90,000-mile service are two popular packaged services at an Audi dealership. These packages typically include 20 or more services, the total cost of which might reach the hundreds or even the thousands. However, only half of the services included in the plan might be required for your car.
You can receive specialized servicing at an independent Audi shop that is centered on what’s best for your vehicle, not what’s best for the dealership’s coffers.
Independent Shops Are Community Based
When you visit an Audi dealership, you are dealing with a large automaker that is only concerned with making money. Someone from your neighborhood owns an independent garage. These independent Audi dealerships want to turn a profit, but they also want to be respected in the neighborhood. This implies that you will receive individualized servicing from an independent Audi dealership.
For instance, you will have to spend roughly two minutes on hold with an automated service that instructs you to “push 4 for parts” if you call an Audi store. An actual live person is more likely to answer the phone and respond to your questions in an independent store.
Is maintaining an Audi expensive?
Additionally, CARCHEX contracts have affordable prices. The terms for bumper-to-bumper protection on a 2017 Honda CR-V with 45,000 kilometers are as follows:
FAQ: Audi Maintenance Cost
Audis are expensive to maintain as vehicles. The average annual cost of an Audi repair, according to RepairPal, is $987. This is significantly more than the $652 average across all brands. Because Audis are luxury automobiles and employ pricey speciality parts, their routine maintenance expenses are also probably a little more than those of most other types.
If maintained properly, almost any car, even an Audi, may last for many years. Audi owners claim to have kept their cars for up to 150,000 miles.
Audi automobiles do not include maintenance for nothing. Customers can, however, purchase Audi prepaid maintenance contracts. Some Audi dealers might provide free vehicle maintenance protection.
Do I need to have my Audi serviced?
You can enjoy the best German engineering by keeping your Audi running at peak efficiency with routine servicing. Preventing the possibility of expensive and unplanned problems requires that you adhere to regular servicing and maintenance programs. Bring your Audi to us, and you’ll receive a comprehensive inspection of your car, in-depth explanations of any maintenance your Audi could require, and an exact invoice with the agreed-upon cost of any work done.
Our factory-trained specialists at Group 1 Audi are dedicated to offering a superior level of service that puts your Audi at the center of their work. We constantly attempt to provide convenient appointment times that accommodate your hectic schedule. Our specialists will explain all you need to know and address any questions you may have if there is anything about which you are unsure.
Why are Audis such a bad bet?
From the small Audi A1 Sportback to the spacious Audi Q7 SUV, Audi provides a wide variety of automobiles. They’ve also experimented with hybrid and electric vehicles, with the Audi E-Tron Sportback being praised as a strong entry into the field of green vehicles.
Audi’s share a lot of its architecture and underpinnings with Volkswagen, though high-tech features and cabin materials are entirely unique to Audi.
But does that imply that Audi automobiles are prone to the same problems as VWs? In our post comparing the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, you can see how the two stack up.
Will you discover the same problems if you only look at Audi, from the most popular Audi A4 Saloon to high-performance sports cars like the Audi R8 Coupe?
The data below, which comes from Reliability Index, shows the different problem types that Audi owners report, how much of the total number of defects they make up, and how Audi stacks up against other manufacturers in each category.
- 16th place, 2.43 percent, was air conditioning.
- Fifth, 14.10 percent: Axle and Suspension
- System of Brakes: 7th, 3.56 percent
- System for cooling and heating: 31st, 7.83 percent
- 29th place, 23.13 percent: electrical
- 39th, 30.21 percent for the engine
- 28th, 7.10 percent: Fuel System
- 23rd, 6.06 percent: gearbox
- System for steering – seventh, 2.85 percent
- 20th place for transmission, 2.74 percent
The engine, cooling and heating system, electrical components, and fuel system seem to be the most frequently affected systems. We may perhaps explain why Audi receives lower marks for things like electrical components, despite the fact that these are some of the most expensive items to fix.
When compared to Skoda and Vauxhall, Audi delivers a ton more functionality. They provide a fairly extensive infotainment system with sat-nav and various touch screens, similar to many other luxury brands. The number of potential problems increases if you include features like cruise control, driver safety systems, and all the cameras, sensors, electrically operated seats, and other bells and whistles that the best new cars from these luxury companies come equipped with. Audi outperforms all other top luxury automobile manufacturers (apart from Jaguar) in this category, including Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.
Are Audis prone to breakdowns?
Everyone is aware that effective marketing can enable someone to sell sand in the Sahara. In order to obtain useful insight into the attitudes and trends in the automotive sector, Warrantywise, the top-rated provider of vehicle warranties in the UK, conducts a thorough amount of research and polls.
Warrantywise polled 750 British drivers to find out which automakers they considered to be the most dependable, and Audi made it into the top 10. Audi actually placed 28th out of 36 brands on their “Dependability Rating” scale for reliability in 2019. Based on the quantity of reported problems and breakdowns, they determined the rating.
Website for auto repair estimates RepairPal determines each brand’s overall score by calculating the frequency and cost of all repairs, including parts and labor. Audi received an average rating of 3.0 out of 5.0 at the time of writing. However, out of 32 car brands, that places the firm in 28th place.
Servicing your Audi
If you travel frequently or cover a lot of miles, you should get an interim service every 6,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first) to keep your Audi safe and roadworthy in between full services. This covers items like a visual brake inspection, an exhaust and suspension check, and an oil change and oil filter replacement.
Our yearly Full Service option includes all of these aspects as well as a full examination of the engine and other components, with replacement air filters and a top-up of the power steering fluid, for a more thorough examination of your Audi. On our Servicing page, you can find a detailed description of what is covered by both an Interim Service and a Full Service.
Why not combine with your MOT?
Once your automobile is over three years old, it is legally required to have a MOT test performed every 12 months to make sure it is safe and roadworthy. Combining this with routine maintenance may assist to prevent problems and maybe keep your car’s value high. You can save money by ordering a combined MOT and service rather than paying the normal amount for each service and product separately.
Can you get the service records for VW online?
Through My Volkswagen, you may schedule a service, track your new vehicle, consult the owner’s manual, see a vehicle’s service record, and approve work on the go.
My Volkswagen, a new tool for owners from Volkswagen, supports you as you maintain your vehicle throughout the years with services, MOTs, and regular maintenance. You can schedule services and MOTs and you will be reminded. You can evaluate and approve videos of required work from the app. Your car’s service history is accessible and viewable. You’ll have a guidebook explaining the dashboard’s lights and buttons in your pocket. Virtually configured autos will be available for storage and saving. You will be able to obtain a personalized brochure when you next buy a new automobile. You will be able to follow the development of your new car from the factory till it arrives with us.
Volkswagen is making it simple and straightforward to own a car, so why not download for free or register online right away.
Before you can save searches, you must create an account. The registration process takes around a minute.