Car service at dealers?

auntiesue

Hi, this has probably been asked many times but if anyone can reply I would be grateful. My car is due for it's service as per warranty. The dealership has quoted £240 inc. Is this a normal price for a service? Do I have to have it serviced at the dealers or can I go to a registered garage? Many thanks if someone knows.

anewman

Whether £240 is a good price depends on what is done. If it's just a check over and oil/filter change it's not such a good price.

I believe it is ok to have it serviced elsewhere so long as the parts used match original specs, and the service schedule is followed.

http://www.r2rc.co.uk/home/content/view/27/97/ may be of interest

charlea

I lease my cars and i never go to the main dealer i take them to my local garage and as long as you use orginal parts then its fine
I havent had a problem doing this at all but you must use orginal parts

0n a mazda mx5 which was my previous car it was arround 120
i havent took my audi to the garage yet as it not due for it service till march but i dont expect to pay much more than the above price

Hintza

If the manufacturer catches a whiff that things have not been carried out to spec then you warranty could be void. Remermber you will also miss out out on any updates or small fixes.

Sounds like it's a 2nd or 2 year service so it might not be too bad. Call another dealer and check.

I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to cars still within warranty so would tend to just go to the dealer.

Lemonade_Pockets

+1
Technically you don't have to but it makes it easier to come unstuck should you need something doing under warranty.

I also personally know of several cases where a MFR has contributed substantially to work outside the warranty because the car had full main dealer history, equally i know of several that have been told it was their problem in and outside the warranty period because the services carried out by an independant weren't up to scratch.

This also the time when MFR's do all the sneaky little updates that they haven't issued a formal recall for.

Shopping around between a few main dealers should enable you to get pretty near the price of a independant if you decide its not worth the risk.

There are pro's and con's for both.

@Charlea, i'd make dam sure main dealer servicing isn't a condition of your lease, otherwise you could get stung for a nasty bill at the end.

oldagetraveller

I have been quoted £223 for the 2nd year main service, brake fluid change and anti-corrosion inspection, at a Vauxhaul main dealer, for my 1.7 Diesel Meriva as a comparison.
A requirement for the continuing corrosion/paint warranty is that the car is main dealer inspected annually. If the service is not carried out at a main dealer then this inspection is charged separately. Check your body warranty to make sure it's still valid without said inspection if you take the car to a non franchise for it's service.
If you have a couple or more main dealers locally then 'phone around for their prices too.
If one is closer to you but more expensive they might "price match" to get your custom.
I only use a main dealer to make sure there are no possible get outs for any warranty claims. This will not be the case after the three years!

jimbo_the_jetset

Q. Do I need to take my car back to the Dealers for servicing to preserve my Warranty?
No. Block Exemption Regulations (BER) were introduced in October 2003. This means that vehicles still need to be serviced on time to the same standard and using equal quality parts but there is no requirement to use the Main Dealers. (For full details www.autosafe.org)

decsdad

I would take it to the dealer, when booking, confirm that it includes a valet;), and drink as much coffee as you can while waiting for it.

jeannieblue

jimbo_the_jetset wrote: »

Q. Do I need to take my car back to the Dealers for servicing to preserve my Warranty?
No. Block Exemption Regulations (BER) were introduced in October 2003. This means that vehicles still need to be serviced on time to the same standard and using equal quality parts but there is no requirement to use the Main Dealers. (For full details www.autosafe.org)

BER due for renewal in May.

jeannieblue

Hintza wrote: »

If the manufacturer catches a whiff that things have not been carried out to spec then you warranty could be void. Remermber you will also miss out out on any updates or small fixes.

Sounds like it's a 2nd or 2 year service so it might not be too bad. Call another dealer and check.

I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to cars still within warranty so would tend to just go to the dealer.

Or if you want it inspected, serviced thoroughly by someone over the age of 18, you go to a good independent who have your interests at heart and will be more viligant and more likely to pick up on warranty issues........

Always two sides to a story... worth bearing in mind.

plane_boy2000

charlea wrote: »

I lease my cars and i never go to the main dealer i take them to my local garage and as long as you use orginal parts then its fine
I havent had a problem doing this at all but you must use orginal parts

0n a mazda mx5 which was my previous car it was arround 120
i havent took my audi to the garage yet as it not due for it service till march but i dont expect to pay much more than the above price

Check your contract carefully - some specify VAT registered garage, but most premium brands will specify their dealer network - the impact on an Audi not having a dealer service history will be a few hundred quid. Also certain VAG engines are very fussy about the oil used - all my local independants were prepared to stick the wrong stuff in mine and argued the toss despite what VW say!

I lease a Citroen now and my contract specifies "approved agent" which is basicaly the dealer network