Prepaid maintenance plans are some of the newest service plans that are available to you from many auto dealers. At first glance, they seem like a great idea. But after researching them, are they the best option for your needs? Following are some things to consider about prepaid maintenance plans to see if you should get one with your next car purchase.
Know that these plans are not extended warranties. Prepaid maintenance plans typically cover scheduled services recommended in the vehicle’s manual. Tune ups, oil changes, tire rotations and other services are often covered at the recommended intervals as long as the plan you choose covers that time period. For instance, if you choose a three-year and 36,000 mile prepaid plan, it won’t cover a tune up that is recommended for 75,000 miles.
Some prepaid service plan prices are negotiable. Do some calculations and decide how much it would cost to get these scheduled services done. Once you know about how much the services would cost, you can often negotiate the price with your dealer before you buy the plan.
Prepaid maintenance plans have other conveniences. Do you hate waiting in line to pay your service bill? With a prepaid service plan, everything is usually taken care of so you can just get it done and drive away.
There’s no simple answer to the question, “Is a prepaid maintenance plan right for me?” It’s up to you to do the calculations and determine if it’s worth it to you. But knowing a few facts about them can help you make your decision.
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These programs are only beneficial to the customer. Which is a good thing however the blind side of things is they are looser programs for the Dealership and anyone who’s paycheck depends on commisions. Most of these programs are generated with deep cost cutting measures. Not that Anyone is going to be very profitable on an oil change and or a tire rotation but every discount comes out of my gross, hence effecting my paycheck. We as Service Advisor get a bad wrap with comments like”they are just trying to sell you something.” To that I respond yes I am. I would not be doing my job quite truthfully if I did not recommend services for your vehicle. On the other hand I realize some unproffesionals don’t have the customers best interest at heart and sell un-needed services. To many more discounts and I’ll be paying my customers to do their services.