What To Know About Visiting a Service Department

Any vehicle, machine, or heavy equipment relies on good repair to function properly, which means that at some point you’ll need to visit a service department. From preventative care to emergency repairs and everything in between, a service department is vital for keeping your tools and toys in good shape. We here at 56 Auto Sales know that not everyone is familiar with the process, so we’ve put together some tips for having a successful service appointment below. To learn more, or if you’re in need of our maintenance expertise, contact our store in London, Ohio, today!

Schedule In Advance

Life doesn’t always cooperate with your plans, so emergency visits are always a possibility. But if you’re able, it’s best to schedule service visits well in advance of any serious maintenance problems. You should also schedule appointments as dictated by the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual for optimal uptime. Some systems or machines will require service after set amounts of time, or after a certain number of hours of usage.

Scheduling is important because you never know how busy a service department will be. There’s always a chance they won’t be able to fix your vehicle in a timely manner, if they have room in their schedule for it at all!

The Right Department

Not all service departments are created equal. Differing prices, dedication to customer satisfaction, and the expertise levels will vary from location to location. It’s important to research your options ahead of time, both to make sure they can handle the vehicle or equipment you’re bringing in and to ensure they’ll do it to your satisfaction.

Customer reviews online can be a good source for information. Check for reviews about price and the service provided, and look for repeat customers—that means the department is worth coming back to! Remember to take anything you read online with a grain of salt, but any trends you discover can help you find a service department that’s perfect for you.

Make a List of Needs

We’ve all been there. We get to an appointment, get through it, then get home and remember we forgot about several important things. It’s a good idea to write down all your concerns and questions beforehand so you’ll have a list to reference when the appointment comes. 

Reasonable Expectations

Most service departments will give you an estimate of how long the repairs or maintenance will take, but keep in mind that that isn’t a perfect prediction. Staffing issues, unexpected complications in the machine itself, and any number of other things can delay the process. Just remember that the staff are doing their best to get you up and running as soon as possible.

Looking for a trusted service department who can get your engine purring? Contact us at 56 Auto Sales for more information, or to make an appointment with our expert technicians. We proudly serve the people of Springfield, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio—let us serve you today!