Car on Finance..MOT/Service, have to be from dealer?

funkymunky_strz

hey guys!

pretty striahgtforward question...im trying to save money this year, need my MOT and Service done.

my car is on finance from VW, so im not sure..do i have to get MOT and Service done from them in order to part ex with them at a future date?

i was honestly thinking Kwikfit/Halfords as they have deals on but im really confused?

id really appreciate some advice!

Tilt

Unless the car is on lease (where there may be t & c's stating that servicing has to be done by a main dealer), then no. However, if the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty and it is serviced otherwise in accordence of the t & c's, then you may invalidate the warranty.

Flyboy152

There is no problem with getting your car serviced wherever you like. However, if it is to satisfy a warranty, the car must be serviced at a VAT registered repairer and must use OE parts. In terms of the dealer taking the car as part-exchange, it can be considered (and is a matter of opinion) to have less value, if the car is not service by an authorised repairer. There is no contractual arrangement, that I am aware of, which will cause a dealer to refuse to part-exchange your vehicle at the end of the term.

lawrie28

Go to a local garage, not a chain as they still charge a very high labour rate.
Ask them to use either VW parts or equivalent quality ones to maintain any warranty you have.
Get a recommendation for the local garage.

Flyboy152

lawrie28 wrote: »

Go to a local garage, not a chain as they still charge a very high labour rate.

It is worth shopping around, including authorised repairers and main dealers. Occasionally you might find that main dealers/authorised repairers can be cheaper or equivalent costs. Locally to me there is an independent repairer, who charges a bit less than the main dealers. But, they don't collect and deliver, they wash and vacuum the cars and don't have a television to watch when waiting. So, it depends on what level of customer service you want to pay for.

Ask them to use either VW parts or equivalent quality ones to maintain any warranty you have.

Not best advice really. Most warranties (well, very nearly all) insist on OE parts, not just ones that look the same.

Get a recommendation for the local garage.

Absoluetly; shop around and ask people you know who have used them.

George_Michael

Not best advice really. Most warranties (well, very nearly all) insist on OE parts, not just ones that look the same

They may state it, but that is now an illegal term in a warranty contract.

In 2003 the "Block exemption regulations" were brought into force in the EU, and these prohibit manufacturers from insisting that in order to keep a warranty valid all work must be done by part of the manufacturers network and that only OE parts can be used.

The garage that carries out the work can now use independent parts provided that they are of the same or better quality as the OE parts and the manufacturer or supplier of the parts is able to issue a certificate stating that the bits are suitable.

The BER also covers service and maintenance during the warranty period and prohibits vehicle manufacturers' warranties from including conditions requiring that all parts used must be the VA's "original spare parts".

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECLARED THAT SUCH CLAUSES IN A WARRANTY DOCUMENT WOULD REPRESENT 'AN UNJUSTIFIED RESTRICTION FOR THE CONSUMER.

If you get really bored, you can read the full regulation here:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:l:2002:203:0030:0041:en:PDF

Flyboy152

George_Michael wrote: »

They may state it, but that is now an illegal term in a warranty contract.

In 2003 the "Block exemption regulations" were brought into force in the EU, and these prohibit manufacturers from insisting that in order to keep a warranty valid all work must be done by part of the manufacturers network and that only OE parts can be used.

The garage that carries out the work can now use independent parts provided that they are of the same or better quality as the OE parts and the manufacturer or supplier of the parts is able to issue a certificate stating that the bits are suitable.

When the block exemption regulations changed, there was concession to allow for insisting on OE parts

If you get really bored, you can read the full regulation here:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:l:2002:203:0030:0041:en:PDF

(25) The exemption should not cover vertical agreements
which restrict authorised repairers from using spare parts
of matching quality for the repair or maintenance of a
motor vehicle. However, in view of the vehicle manufacturers’
direct contractual involvement in repairs under
warranty, free servicing, and recall operations, agreements
containing obligations on authorised repairers to
use original spare parts supplied by the vehicle manufacturer
for these repairs should be covered by the exemption.