Your first part is correct. The “just” is not correct. You need logistics and reporting, esp for recalls.
Edit: posting this at the top so new readers don’t have to read through the stupidity that ensues:
There are virtually no manufacturers that allow non-dealers to perform recall and warranty work today.
Federal regulations (primarily under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act) require automakers to provide a remedy for safety defects at no cost to the consumer. Automakers fulfill that obligation by designating “authorized” service locations—almost ALWAYS their franchised dealerships or manufacturer-owned service centers—to perform the recall repairs.
From a practical standpoint dealerships are bound by their franchise agreements with the manufacturer. Those contracts typically require authorized dealers to perform warranty and recall work on behalf of the automaker. So, while the government obligates the manufacturer to fix the defect, the manufacturer in turn relies on its dealerships (as spelled out in their franchise agreements) to handle the actual repairs.
Not for recalls. It’s easy for folks to sit on social media and assume any mechanic can do it, but that’s not the case. The whole system would have to change. With the biggest being the requirement to track compliance with federally mandated recalls. There is no responsibility of the mechanic to report completion of a repair, nor certification regarding efficacy.
Edit: I actually just re-read your question. I thought you meant brands, but you said dealerships. So… your argument for bypassing dealerships is to use dealerships?
Your first part is correct. The “just” is not correct. You need logistics and reporting, esp for recalls.
Edit: posting this at the top so new readers don’t have to read through the stupidity that ensues:
There are virtually no manufacturers that allow non-dealers to perform recall and warranty work today.
Federal regulations (primarily under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act) require automakers to provide a remedy for safety defects at no cost to the consumer. Automakers fulfill that obligation by designating “authorized” service locations—almost ALWAYS their franchised dealerships or manufacturer-owned service centers—to perform the recall repairs.
From a practical standpoint dealerships are bound by their franchise agreements with the manufacturer. Those contracts typically require authorized dealers to perform warranty and recall work on behalf of the automaker. So, while the government obligates the manufacturer to fix the defect, the manufacturer in turn relies on its dealerships (as spelled out in their franchise agreements) to handle the actual repairs.
Don’t we already have that? I imagine the dealerships already use such a system.
Not for recalls. It’s easy for folks to sit on social media and assume any mechanic can do it, but that’s not the case. The whole system would have to change. With the biggest being the requirement to track compliance with federally mandated recalls. There is no responsibility of the mechanic to report completion of a repair, nor certification regarding efficacy.
Edit: I actually just re-read your question. I thought you meant brands, but you said dealerships. So… your argument for bypassing dealerships is to use dealerships?