Is it worth having your car serviced in dealership? Please, really need advice!

rev_henry

Fly_Baby wrote: »

michaelro, for my car, I was quoted £270 for annual service and £630 for major service - half that with the 50% discount. So really expensive.

But I was thinking - since the dealership has this offer - maybe I'd better go for the major service? My car is coming up to 7 years old and has over 80K in mileage and never had one. Would you say it's worth doing then?

Your car is 7 years old and done 80k and never had a service??!!

xocbc

It depends on the type and age of the car.

For older cars, out of warranty (including bodywork), an independent specialist will do just as good a job for a lot less money.

For newer cars within the warranty, be careful, anything missed from the manufacturer's schedule, or any service that misses the schedule (usually by 1000 miles or something) will invalidate the warranty. See comment in post above re bodywork warranty stamps.

And for some more prestigious makes (BMW/Mercedes etc), a dealer service history can have a positive impact on the resale value.

michaelro

Fly_Baby wrote: »

Thanks for your advice - the guy on the phone did ask about the cambelt and it has in fact never been changed.

No, it's a Mazda. And not a new model at that. Yes, with the current offer the major service is £315 (and that includes replacement of cambelt).

I paid more than that for a cambelt & waterpump and no service a few months ago so yes.

*Vikki*

I think it depends on what garage you go to with quickfit, as the one in Bexhill on Sea is fantastic and I would take a ferrari there if I had one to get an MOT etc I trust them that much!

jeannieblue

Mazda dealerships have been quoting ridiculous prices near me - well over £300 for a first service! How can they justify that??

Try this guy - he's good - works near me and is ex Ford & Mazda, knows his stuff.

http://www.dkautoservices.com/

hewhoisnotintheknow

jeannieblue wrote: »

How can they justify that??

because people are willing to pay it

ahillsy

I always get my car serviced at the dealership while it's within the warranty period, regardless of price.

After the warranty period, I start looking around if the cost seems much cheaper at an independent garage, but it has to be a garage that specialises in that make/group of car. Made a difference last year when I had a cambelt change due - main dealership was a couple of hundred pounds more expensive so I told them to jog on and went elsewhere!

When I came to trade my car in, I was asked about service history and whether it was all from a dealership or not. I was told that after the warranty period, doesn't really matter if you don't have it done at a dealership - makes no difference on their valuation. Got the impression that the warranty period is more important - you know then that nothing is going to be missed in that important period while the car is being run in.

lrr_2

I thought a service was a list they just checked off when looked at and the usual oil change and stuff?

stef73

When main dealers put your car reg into the manufactures data base it will see if there are any missing recalls for your car . When i took mine last time i had a alarm fitted and a power steering hose both foc , they will also update any ECU software .

jeannieblue

lrr wrote: »

I thought a service was a list they just checked off when looked at and the usual oil change and stuff?

Stuff?

I'm not sure what you are querying..... could be me tho..