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

124

Comments

  • roddydogs
    roddydogs Posts: 7,479 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    michaelro wrote: »
    Do you:
    Have all the correct tools required?
    Use Manufacture approved parts?
    Reset the Service Indicator?
    Flash the ECU to clear faults?
    Check the ECU for current faults?
    Offer 12/24 month warranties on the work you do?

    If the answer is no to any of the above, while I'm sure you're a competent mechanic, I would not buy a car from you.
    Since when to they do ECU checks on a service?, i meant apart from saying theve done it?
  • AdrianHi
    AdrianHi Posts: 2,228 Forumite
    michaelro wrote: »
    £630??? I'm assuming this is a BMW?
    My BMW 320d in just over 4 years and 50,000 miles has cost quite a bit less than a Renault Clio, Toyota yaris etc. to service at the main dealer based on prices people have come up with for those two smaller cars on MSE.
    Routine servicing on a BMW is not expensive, out of warranty repairs often are.
  • AdrianHi
    AdrianHi Posts: 2,228 Forumite
    I happen to have a picture of the Mazda service price list (wife has a 6)
    08082009136.jpg
    Look at what happens to the diesel service price at 75,000 miles.

    ... and the Mazda 2 petrol is more expensive than a BMW 320d to service over the first 36,000 miles by about £47.
  • Fly_Baby wrote: »
    Of course it has! Full service every year plus a few interim services.

    I was referring to what my dealership calls a "major service" which is advised for older car and not every year, I assume.

    You assume wrongly. My Mondeo has a major service every third service so that's at 37500 miles, 75000 miles, 112500 etc etc etc.
  • AdrianHi wrote: »
    Look at what happens to the diesel service price at 75,000 miles.
    .

    Wow. Glad I bought the Mondeo instead of the Mazda 6.
  • Not a problem, when I sell a car there's not much value left as they are usually 8 to 10 years old, srvice history doesn't matter at that age, a pile of parts receipts is just as acceptable.

    Depends on the car - There are cars I would buy around that age, but only with documented service history. (Performance Cars for example)
    I'll satisfy myself that others, probably yourself included, spend a fortune on car maintenance. I don't ;)
    I don't spend a fortune, but obviously more than you. :rolleyes:

    I'll satisfy myself that while you're out getting yourself dirty, scrapping knuckles and saving money servicing your car - I'm doing things more important to me with my time... ;)
  • rev_henry
    rev_henry Posts: 4,965 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I love how the MX-5 is one of the cheapest overall on there. As if its cheaper to service a convertible sports car than a little hatch mazda2!
  • michaelro wrote: »
    No, If anything, Specialist service history would sway me more than main dealer.

    My point was that I wouldn't buy a car that hadn't been serviced by a fully qualified mechanic with proof to back it up.
    Thats been completely worthless for about the last two decades since mechanics became nothing more than fitters with a code reader. The number of real mechanics out there is extremely low.
    Having an ODBC reader means little unless you are aware of recent ECU updates which Main Dealers or Specialists would.
    An independent specialist isn't going to be able to do ECU updates nor are they licenced to do those or service recalls.
    Maybe the Non-Dealership garages you use, use non-genuine parts but doesn't mean they all do....:rolleyes:
    Most use non-genuine parts. Around here virtually everyone uses Andrew Page as the supplier.

    Don't know what your experience of the trade is but your posts sounds like its from the customer side of the counter.
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    michaelro wrote: »
    Depends on the car - There are cars I would buy around that age, but only with documented service history. (Performance Cars for example)


    I don't spend a fortune, but obviously more than you. :rolleyes:

    I'll satisfy myself that while you're out getting yourself dirty, scrapping knuckles and saving money servicing your car - I'm doing things more important to me with my time... ;)



    :rotfl:You mean like replying to wind up merchants like me on an internet forum:rotfl::T
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • Most use non-genuine parts. Around here virtually everyone uses Andrew Page as the supplier.

    Don't know what your experience of the trade is but your posts sounds like its from the customer side of the counter.

    Yes, I am a customer - But all of the places I use do use genuine manufacturer parts. They either advertise they use them or I've personally watched them being fitted ;)

    Up North it may be different :rolleyes:
    :rotfl:You mean like replying to wind up merchants like me on an internet forum:rotfl::T

    How I spend my time is up to me ;):D
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