Written by: Trevor Mahoney
Last updated: January 2, 2025
No driver wants to be traveling down the open road only to hear an odd noise and realize that something is amiss under the hood. This can be a frustrating experience, which can potentially cost thousands of dollars if the necessary repair has high labor costs. Given this, many drivers choose to engage in DIY repairs, thinking it is a more cost-effective solution than professional services.
Even if you are familiar with a vehicle’s inner workings and have specialized tools that can help you tackle a repair job, you must be cautious if you have a factory or extended warranty on your vehicle. Car warranties can significantly impact the cost-benefit analysis of DIY vs. professional repairs, as you may accidentally void your warranty, so learn everything you need to know in order to make an educated choice between the two.
DIY Repairs: Pros and Cons
Car repairs can be complex assignments that have nuanced tasks, which may throw even the biggest DIY enthusiasts for a spin. With that said, there are still benefits to taking care of repairs on your own. The most prominent of those include:
- Potential cost savings by only needing to pay for the part and not the labor
- A sense of accomplishment at having taken care of an auto repair all on your own
- Increased knowledge of your car can allow you to handle complex repairs in the future
While each of the above pros might make it tempting to pop open the hood of your car and get to fixing the issue immediately, there are notable drawbacks that you should keep in mind. Most notably:
- You run the risk of voiding your warranty because warranties cover defects resulting from the manufacturing of your vehicle, not defects due to a shotty DIY repair job
- You have a lack of expertise as compared to a professional technician, which can make repairs more challenging
- Repairing your vehicle by yourself will be a time-consuming process
Professional Repairs: Pros and Cons
Despite the higher costs as compared to DIY car repairs, taking your car to an auto body shop is often an excellent decision that results in a higher-quality repair. As compared to a DIY approach, taking your vehicle into a professional shop can result in the following benefits:
- By taking your vehicle to a professional shop approved under your warranty, you can ensure the repair cost is potentially completely covered
- A professional technician has both the expertise and experience to handle any major repair on your vehicle
- Enjoy the peace of mind of leaving your vehicle in the hands of someone with extensive training and coming back to a fixed car.
While taking your vehicle to a professional repair shop likely won’t result in further damage, it’s not all sunshine and roses. The following downsides are the most important to keep in mind:
- Without a warranty in place, the repair cost may be significantly higher than if you were to handle the repair on your own.
- When you don’t see what is going on under the hood, certain repair shops may make poor decisions, such as trying to overcharge
How Car Warranties Factor Into Your Repair Choice
As alluded to above, having a car warranty on your vehicle can significantly impact how you get your vehicle repaired. Depending on where you live, it may actually be technically illegal for a warranty issuer to void your warranty simply because you repaired something yourself. However, they can refuse to offer coverage for a repair if they deem it caused by your DIY repair rather than by a manufacturer defect, which is often a way around this law.
However, if you have a car warranty in place, whether from a dealership or a third-party, there is really no reason to take care of a repair yourself. Review your coverage contract to see what parts of the vehicle are covered, as the issue may potentially be taken care of under your warranty. If it is, you won’t need to worry about the cost or where to take your vehicle, as the warranty company will handle both aspects.
Considering the average yearly maintenance cost of a vehicle is $900, it’s also worth trying to find a warranty that covers the cost of tasks such as oil changes, windshield wiper replacement, tire rotations, and more.
Find a Car Warranty that Allows You to Efficiently Repair Your Vehicle
No matter how experienced you believe you may be in the automotive space, it’s always better to allow professional repair shops to work on your vehicle. After all, you may inadvertently cause another issue under the hood attempting to solve the first problem. Ensure you have peace of mind by allowing a professional technician to work on your vehicle.
Warranties can even give you the best of both worlds by covering the costs of certain repairs and referring you to an accredited professional mechanic. Explore our list of the top warranty providers so that you can make an informed decision on which provider and warranty package is right for you.
