Auto experts talked about the profitable maintenance of the car after the warranty ends

At the end of the warranty period, car owners face the question of where it is more profitable and safer to service the car — at an authorized dealer or in an independent service. Experts from SberAuto, a service for buying, maintaining and selling cars (part of the Sber ecosystem for car enthusiasts), prepared recommendations for different types of cars and pitched them to Izvestia on January 19.

According to experts, after five years of car ownership, which is the average duration of the factory warranty, about 70% of owners switch to independent service stations. The main reason for this choice is the price. In the mass segment, the use of more affordable consumables allows you to reduce costs, while many independent service stations are former dealerships and continue to operate according to high quality standards while maintaining guarantees for the work performed.

The difference in service costs is especially noticeable in the premium segment. After the end of the warranty, the average standard-hour rate at dealers is almost halved, but even with this in mind, savings when contacting an independent service station can reach 30%. At the same time, experts emphasize that the choice of service largely depends on the type of work performed.

For standard procedures that do not require complex diagnostics or access to factory software, such as changing engine oil and filters, brake pads and discs, suspension diagnostics and working fluids, contacting a trusted independent service station is considered a safe and rational solution. These operations are performed according to unified regulations and do not depend on the branded equipment of a particular brand.

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At the same time, dealerships retain a number of advantages. Against the background of competition with independent services, they are actively launching special programs for post-warranty vehicles, offering reduced rates, fixed cost of work and extended service packages. Such conditions allow you to understand in advance the amount of expenses and service the car at a familiar dealer without significant overpayment compared to the market.

In addition, experts recommend that you trust authorized dealers for complex and technologically complex operations such as electronics, software, flashing, and factory settings. These centers employ specialists with experience in servicing specific brands and have access to manufacturers' technical databases.

The residual value of the car remains a separate factor. Cars with a complete and verified dealer service history are usually priced higher on the secondary market. According to the Autostat agency, the average residual value of three-year-old cars in Russia in the third quarter of 2025 was about 82% of the original price, and having a transparent service history can increase customer confidence during resale.

Earlier, on January 14, Sergey Tselikov, director of Autostat, said sales of Chinese-built cars in Russia decreased by 38% in 2025, with a total of 489,000 such vehicles sold. At the same time, sales of Russian-built cars in 2025 increased by 8%, while the overall car market declined. So, during the year, 701.7 thousand new cars were sold in the Russian Federation, rolled off Russian assembly lines. Their market share increased to 52.9%.

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