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Rip-off car service / cheap roof box for travel
jchrishall2000
Posts: 35 Forumite
in Motoring
Hi,
Want to avoid getting ripped-off for overpriced car servicing. 2001 Volvo V40, 48000 miles. Last service was £350 - for very little work done! Yes, I made the usual classic mistake and went to the Volvo franchised dealer - they lent me a replacement vehicle while my own service was done. £350 for a morning's work - not bad rates if you're the one on the make.... Anyway, don't fancy paying extra for fancy sweets/newspapers/comfy seat in reception again and we' re travelling to France soon so I'd like to know what are your experiences of using an alternative source to get your vehicle serviced. I understand that non-franchised garages can now do routine servicing, but can they "stamp the service book" (I suspect this has long been a rouse by the big car companies, but there you go). And can they turn off the annoying "Service due" light on my dashboard? I have an annoying little niggle - the boot compartment cover clip has broken off on one side and I want to get this fixed before going to France. I suspect Volvo might be able to source the part for this more efficiently than an independent, it means removing a panel in the boot and I really want to avoid repeated trips back to the garage - any thoughts?
Second issue - want to get a roof box for France trip. Halfords - £139.99 PLUS £69.99 for rails to fix the roof box in position!!!!!!!!!!! (Volvo V40 only has those plastic strips (you know, the ones with screw points) along the roof, rather than roof rails). How much to hire a roof box? Have considered ebay but not entirely sure that I'll get the right thing....any bright ideas?
Thanks
Chris
Want to avoid getting ripped-off for overpriced car servicing. 2001 Volvo V40, 48000 miles. Last service was £350 - for very little work done! Yes, I made the usual classic mistake and went to the Volvo franchised dealer - they lent me a replacement vehicle while my own service was done. £350 for a morning's work - not bad rates if you're the one on the make.... Anyway, don't fancy paying extra for fancy sweets/newspapers/comfy seat in reception again and we' re travelling to France soon so I'd like to know what are your experiences of using an alternative source to get your vehicle serviced. I understand that non-franchised garages can now do routine servicing, but can they "stamp the service book" (I suspect this has long been a rouse by the big car companies, but there you go). And can they turn off the annoying "Service due" light on my dashboard? I have an annoying little niggle - the boot compartment cover clip has broken off on one side and I want to get this fixed before going to France. I suspect Volvo might be able to source the part for this more efficiently than an independent, it means removing a panel in the boot and I really want to avoid repeated trips back to the garage - any thoughts?
Second issue - want to get a roof box for France trip. Halfords - £139.99 PLUS £69.99 for rails to fix the roof box in position!!!!!!!!!!! (Volvo V40 only has those plastic strips (you know, the ones with screw points) along the roof, rather than roof rails). How much to hire a roof box? Have considered ebay but not entirely sure that I'll get the right thing....any bright ideas?
Thanks
Chris
0
Comments
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this forum should help you out http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/index.php
it mainly performance volvos but they are a very helpfull bunch and should point you in the right direction.
For anybody else with automotive issues using a search engine to find users forums is an excellent money saver, common faults, easy projects, cheap parts/second hand parts etc. etc. Most service lights can be reset by disconnecting the battery for 20 mins!0 -
thanks-very useful!0
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