There are always horror stories about going to the dealer or a specialist to get basic car repairs, but there’s a good reason (a few, in fact) that certain auto shops become specialists in their fields. If you want to take the best care of your European vehicle, here are just a few reasons why you should take it to a European auto repair shop.

European car repair requires specialized tools

European cars are much different from domestic cars. First and foremost, European cars tend to be sleeker and more focused on style compared to their American and even Japanese counterparts. American cars tend to be more utilitarian and all about sheer horsepower or carry capacity.

Because of the subtle design nuances European automakers include in their vehicles, it takes specialized tools to work on the components. And do you know who has such specialized tools? European vehicle repair shops!

If you take your European car to your standard mom-and-pop shop down the street, they likely won’t have the specialized tools to complete the job. Even worse, they may try to use their standard tools to work on your car, causing unnecessary damage.

Knowledge is power

It’s not enough to have the right tools for the job. The auto shop you choose needs to understand how European cars work. They need to know which parts are necessary and how they all function to make the vehicle work.

If you take your car to anyone but a European auto repair shop, you risk the mechanic making diagnostic errors, replacing the wrong parts, or making the wrong repairs. Even if they have the right tools, an uninformed mechanic won’t know how to use them property to keep your car in tip-top shape.

The only way to ensure your car will function properly for years to come is by taking it to a shop that understands European cars. Remember, knowledge is power!

Errors can be expensive

Everyone knows that European cars aren’t the cheapest vehicles to work on. That’s probably why many people try to avoid dealers and specialized repair shops. However, there’s a reason the services are slightly more expensive. You’re paying for the peace of mind that they know what they are doing.

Yes, the repairs at a specialized European auto shop can be more expensive than if you take your car to the little shop up the road. However, do you know what’s more expensive than a regular preventative maintenance service? Errors!

Without the right tools and specific knowledge, a mechanic is more likely to make a mistake that will come back to haunt you. It might be something as simple as using the wrong torque specs on your wheels. But it also might be something more major like installing the wrong oil pump.

Then, when the error causes other issues down the road, you’ll be back to the shop paying exponentially more for greater repairs. And this time, there’s a good chance you’ll have to go to the specialist or dealer anyway. So, did you really save money by going to the “cheap” shop in the first place?

Skip the costly errors and work with a European car repair shop that has the right tools and specific knowledge to work on your car. If you do it right the first time, you can enjoy your luxury vehicle for years to come.